Psalms 34
1 For David, when he changed his countenance before Achimelech, who dismissed him, and he went his way. I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always 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 In the Lord shall my soul be praised: 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 O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together.
Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles.
I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He set me free from all my fears.
5 Come ye to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded.
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 heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.
The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.
8 O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth 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 wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.
Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.
11 Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.
12 Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth 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 after 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 upon the just: and his ears unto their prayers.
The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.
16 But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The Lord sets himself against those who do evil. He will wipe out even the memory of them from the earth.
17 The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles.
But when his people call out for help, he hears them and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of 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 just; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.
Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.
20 The Lord keepeth 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 the wicked is very evil: and they that hate the just shall be guilty.
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 them that trust in him shall offend.
The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.
