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Psalms 34

Psalms 34 is part of “Book I: The Genesis Book” (1–41) in the outline of Psalms.

Psalms 34 summary

This psalm was penned upon a particular occasion, as appears by the title, and yet there is little in it peculiar to that occasion, but that which is general, both by way of thanksgiving to God an instruction to us. I. He praises God for the experience which he and others had had of his goodness (Psa 34:1-6). II.

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This psalm was penned upon a particular occasion, as appears by the title, and yet there is little in it peculiar to that occasion, but that which is general, both by way of thanksgiving to God an instruction to us. I. He praises God for the experience which he and others had had of his goodness (Psa 34:1-6). II. He encourages all good people to trust in God and to seek to him (Psa 34:7-10). III. He gives good counsel to us all, as unto children, to take heed of sin, and to make conscience of our duty both to God and man (Psa 34:11-14). IV. To enforce this good counsel he shows God's favour to the righteous and his displeasure against the wicked, in which he sets before us good and evil, the blessing and the curse (Psa 34:15-22). So that, in singing this psalm, we are both to give glory to God and to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. A psalm of David when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

Key verses in Psalms 34

Psalms 34 (WEB)

World English Bible (public domain)

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

1By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. 2My soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let’s exalt his name together. 4I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame. 6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9Oh fear the LORD, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him. 10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. 11Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? 13Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies. 14Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. 15The LORD’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. 16The LORD’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth. 17The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. 19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. 20He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken. 21Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. 22The LORD redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.

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