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 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 From the bottom of my heart I am proud of the Lord; those who are humble will hear and be happy.
In the Lord will my heart make her boast, the humble will hear and be glad.
3 Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.
O magnify the Lord with me and let us extol 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, in answer, he saved me from all my terrors.
5 The faces of those who look to him will shine with joy; they will never be downcast with shame.
Look to him and you will be radiant, with faces unashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my 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 stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.
The Lord’s angel encamps about those who fear him, and rescues 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 that the Lord is good, happy those who take 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, all his people, for they who fear him lack nothing.
10 Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.
Even young lions may be poor and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any 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?
Which of you is desirous of life, loves many and happy days?
13 Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.
Then guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
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 towards the righteous, his ears are towards their cry for help.
16 The Lord sets himself against those who do evil. He will wipe out even the memory of them from the earth.
The Lord sets his face against those who do evil, to root their memory out of the earth.
17 But when his people call out for help, he hears them and rescues them from all their troubles.
When righteous cry, they are heard by the Lord, and he saves them from all their distresses.
18 The Lord is close beside those who are broken-hearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.
19 Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.
Many misfortunes befall the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.
20 He keeps them safe—not a single one of their bones will be broken.
He guards all their bones, none are broken.
21 Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.
Misfortune will slay the ungodly; those who hate the righteous are doomed.
22 The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.
The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be doomed who takes refuge in him.
