Psalms 34

1 [A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour 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.

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 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.

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 exalt his name together.

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

4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

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

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

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 encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth 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] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him.

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

9 O fear the LORD, 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 young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].

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

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

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

12 What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?

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 Depart from evil, and do good; seek 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 righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

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

16 The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, 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 righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth 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 broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite 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 righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

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

20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

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

21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

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

22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

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