Psalm 34 (World English Bible – WEB)
1 I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let’s exalt his name together.
4 I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
6 This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
12 Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.
15 Yahweh’s eyes are on the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.
16 Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
20 He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
Background and Related Details of Psalm 34
Psalm 34 is a psalm of David, written after he escaped from Abimelech (also called Achish, king of Gath) by pretending to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10-15). This psalm is an acrostic poem, where each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, making it a poetic and structured piece.
Key Themes:
- Trusting in God’s deliverance: David praises God for rescuing him and encourages others to seek the Lord in times of trouble.
- The goodness of God: The famous verse “Taste and see that Yahweh is good” (v.8) invites personal experience with God’s blessings.
- Righteous living: The psalm provides moral instructions, urging believers to fear the Lord, speak truthfully, and pursue peace.
- God’s protection: The imagery of the angel of Yahweh encamping around the faithful (v.7) symbolizes divine protection.
- Messianic Connection: Verse 20, “He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken,” is seen as a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus (John 19:36).
Historical Context:
David fled to Gath, a Philistine city, seeking refuge from King Saul. However, realizing that he was in danger among the Philistines, he pretended to be insane to escape unharmed. This event inspired Psalm 34, where David reflects on God’s protection and faithfulness.
Prayer Inspired by Psalm 34
Heavenly Father,
I bless Your name at all times; Your praise is always on my lips. You are my refuge and my deliverer. When I seek You, You answer me and free me from all my fears. Thank You for hearing my cries and surrounding me with Your presence.
Teach me to walk in reverence before You, to keep my tongue from evil, and to pursue peace. I trust in Your goodness, for You are near to the brokenhearted and You save those who are crushed in spirit. Even in affliction, I know You will deliver me.
Lord, help me to taste and see Your goodness daily. Let my soul magnify You, and may I live in a way that reflects Your righteousness. I put my trust in You, for none who take refuge in You will be condemned.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
5 Questions to Test Your Understanding of Psalm 34
- What event in David’s life led him to write Psalm 34?
- What does Psalm 34:8 encourage believers to do?
- According to Psalm 34, what does God do for the righteous who cry out to Him?
- How does Psalm 34 instruct believers to live righteously?
- Which verse in Psalm 34 is referenced in the New Testament as a prophecy about Jesus?
Is Psalm 34 Referenced in the New Testament?
Yes, Psalm 34:20 is referenced in John 19:36:
“For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘A bone of him will not be broken.’”
This verse is seen as a prophecy about Jesus’ crucifixion. When the Roman soldiers came to break the legs of those crucified, they found that Jesus was already dead, fulfilling Psalm 34:20.
Additionally, Psalm 34:8 (“Taste and see that Yahweh is good”) is echoed in 1 Peter 2:3, where Peter encourages believers to experience the Lord’s goodness:
“if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
Answers to the 5 Questions
- David wrote Psalm 34 after escaping from Abimelech (Achish), the king of Gath, by pretending to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10-15).
- Psalm 34:8 encourages believers to “taste and see that Yahweh is good,” meaning they should personally experience God’s goodness and faithfulness.
- Psalm 34 states that when the righteous cry out to God, He hears them and delivers them from all their troubles (verses 6, 17, 19).
- Psalm 34 instructs believers to live righteously by keeping their tongue from evil, speaking truthfully, turning away from evil, doing good, and pursuing peace (verses 13-14).
- Psalm 34:20 (“He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.”) is referenced in John 19:36 as a prophecy about Jesus’ crucifixion.