Psalms 34

1 Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his countenance before Abimelech; and he let him go, and he departed. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be continually in my mouth.

2 My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice.

My soul shall boast herself in the Lord: let the meek hear, and rejoice.

3 Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.

Magnify ye the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

I sought the Lord diligently, and he hearkened to me, and delivered me from all my sojournings.

5 Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

Draw near to him, and be enlightened: and your faces shall not [by any means] be ashamed.

6 This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

This poor man cried, and the Lord hearkened to him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear him, and will deliver them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who hopes in him.

9 Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.

Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

10 Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

The rich have become poor and hungry: but they that seek the Lord diligently shall not want any good thing. (Pause)

11 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Come, ye children, hear me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?

What man is there that desires life, loving to see good days?

13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears [are open] to their prayer:

16 But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to destroy their memorial from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord hearkened to them,

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.

and delivered them out of all their afflictions.

18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.

The Lord is near to them that are of a contrite heart; and will save the lowly in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but out of them all Lord will deliver them.

20 He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.

He keeps all their bones: not one of them shall be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.

The death of sinners is evil: and they that hate righteousness will go wrong.

22 The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of those that hope in him shall go wrong.