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.

Of David, when he feigned madness in the presence of Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left. I will bless the Lord at all times, in my mouth will his praise be forever.

2 In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice.

In the Lord will my heart make her boast, the humble will hear and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together.

O magnify the Lord with me and let us extol his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles.

I sought the Lord, and, in answer, he saved me from all my terrors.

5 Come ye to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded.

Look to him and you will be radiant, with faces unashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.

Here is one who was crushed, but cried and was heard by the Lord, and brought safe out of every trouble.

7 The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.

The Lord’s angel encamps about those who fear him, and rescues them.

8 O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

O taste and see that the Lord is good, happy those who take refuge in him.

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

Fear the Lord, all his people, for they who fear him lack nothing.

10 The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.

Even young lions may be poor and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

11 Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Come, children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth to see good days?

Which of you is desirous of life, loves many and happy days?

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

Then guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

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

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

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the just: and his ears unto their prayers.

The eyes of the Lord are towards the righteous, his ears are towards their 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 his face against those who do evil, to root their memory out of the earth.

17 The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles.

When righteous cry, they are heard by the Lord, and he saves them from all their distresses.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.

19 Many are the afflictions of the just; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.

Many misfortunes befall the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.

20 The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken.

He guards all their bones, none are broken.

21 The death of the wicked is very evil: and they that hate the just shall be guilty.

Misfortune will slay the ungodly; those who hate the righteous are doomed.

22 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall offend.

The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be doomed who takes refuge in him.