Psalms 34
1 [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.
A psalm of David concerning the time he pretended to be mad in front of Abimelech who then sent him away. I will always bless the Lord; my mouth will continually praise him.
2 My soul shall boast herself in the Lord: let the meek hear, and rejoice.
From the bottom of my heart I am proud of the Lord; those who are humble will hear and be happy.
3 Magnify ye the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.
4 I sought the Lord diligently, and he hearkened to me, and delivered me from all my sojournings.
I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He set me free from all my fears.
5 Draw near to him, and be enlightened: and your faces shall not [by any means] be ashamed.
The faces of those who look to him will shine with joy; they will never be downcast with shame.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord hearkened to him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear him, and will deliver them.
The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who hopes in him.
Taste, and you will see that the Lord is good! How happy are those who trust in his protection!
9 Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Show your reverence for the Lord, you who are his holy people, for those who respect him have everything they need.
10 The rich have become poor and hungry: but they that seek the Lord diligently shall not want any good thing. (Pause)
Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.
11 Come, ye children, hear me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.
12 What man is there that desires life, loving to see good days?
Who of you wants to live a long and happy life?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.
14 Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Reject what is evil, do what is good. Look for peace, and work to make it a reality.
15 The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears [are open] to their prayer:
The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.
16 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,
The Lord sets himself against those who do evil. He will wipe out even the memory of them from the earth.
17 and delivered them out of all their afflictions.
But when his people call out for help, he hears them and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to them that are of a contrite heart; and will save the lowly in spirit.
The Lord is close beside those who are broken-hearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but out of them all Lord will deliver them.
Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.
20 He keeps all their bones: not one of them shall be broken.
He keeps them safe—not a single one of their bones will be broken.
21 The death of sinners is evil: and they that hate righteousness will go wrong.
Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.
22 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of those that hope in him shall go wrong.
The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.
