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.
“A psalm of David, when he feigned himself mad before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.” I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 From the bottom of my heart I am proud of the Lord; those who are humble will hear and be happy.
In the LORD doth my soul boast; Let the afflicted hear, and rejoice!
3 Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.
O magnify the LORD with me, And 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 heard me, And 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.
Look up to him, and ye shall have light; Your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my troubles.
This afflicted man cried, and the LORD heard, And saved him from all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.
The angels of the LORD encamp around those who fear him, And deliver them.
8 Taste, and you will see that the Lord is good! How happy are those who trust in his protection!
O taste, and see how good is the LORD! Happy the man who trusteth in him!
9 Show your reverence for the Lord, you who are his holy people, for those who respect him have everything they need.
O fear the LORD, ye his servants! For to those who fear him there shall be no want.
10 Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.
Young lions want, and suffer hunger; But they who fear the LORD want no good thing.
11 Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.
Come, ye children, hearken 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 he that loveth life, And desireth many days, in which he may see good?
13 Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.
Guard well thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile!
14 Reject what is evil, do what is good. Look for peace, and work to make it a reality.
Depart 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 upon the righteous, And his ears are open 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 evil-doers, To cut off their remembrance 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, and the LORD heareth, And delivereth 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 them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite 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 delivereth him from them all.
20 He keeps them safe—not a single one of their bones will be broken.
He guardeth all his bones; Not one of them shall be broken.
21 Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.
Calamity destroyeth the wicked, And they who hate the righteous suffer for it.
22 The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.
The LORD redeemeth the life of his servants, And none that put their trust in him will suffer for it.
