Psalms 34

1 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.

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.

2 From the bottom of my heart I am proud of the Lord; those who are humble will hear and be happy.

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

3 Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.

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

4 I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He set me free from all my fears.

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

5 The faces of those who look to him will shine with joy; they will never be downcast with shame.

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

6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my troubles.

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

7 The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.

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

8 Taste, and you will see that the Lord is good! How happy are those who trust in his protection!

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

9 Show your reverence for the Lord, you who are his holy people, for those who respect him have everything they need.

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

10 Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.

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

11 Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.

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

12 Who of you wants to live a long and happy life?

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

13 Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.

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

14 Reject what is evil, do what is good. Look for peace, and work to make it a reality.

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

15 The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.

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

16 The Lord sets himself against those who do evil. He will wipe out even the memory of them from the earth.

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

17 But when his people call out for help, he hears them and rescues them from all their troubles.

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

18 The Lord is close beside those who are broken-hearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.

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

19 Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.

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

20 He keeps them safe—not a single one of their bones will be broken.

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

21 Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.

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

22 The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.

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