Psalms 34
1 [A Psalm] of David, when he changed his countenance before Abimelech; and he let him go, and he departed. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be continually 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 My soul shall boast herself in the Lord: let the meek hear, and rejoice.
In the Lord will my heart make her boast, the humble will hear and be glad.
3 Magnify you the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
O magnify the Lord with me and let us extol his name together.
4 I sought the Lord diligently, and he listened to me, and delivered me from all my sojournings.
I sought the Lord, and, in answer, he saved me from all my terrors.
5 Draw near to him, and be enlightened: and your faces shall not [by any means] be ashamed.
Look to him and you will be radiant, with faces unashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord listened to him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions.
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 will encamp round about them that fear him, and will deliver them.
The Lord’s angel encamps about those who fear him, and rescues them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who hopes in him.
O taste and see that the Lord is good, happy those who take refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, all you his saints: for there is no lack to them that fear him.
Fear the Lord, all his people, for they who fear him lack nothing.
10 The rich have become poor and hungry: but they that seek the Lord diligently shall not lack any good thing. (Pause)
Even young lions may be poor and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, hear 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 What man is there that desires life, loving to see good days?
Which of you is desirous of life, loves many and happy days?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your 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 peace, and pursue it.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears [are open] to their prayer:
The eyes of the Lord are towards the righteous, his ears are towards their cry for help.
16 but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to destroy their memorial from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord listened to them,
The Lord sets his face against those who do evil, to root their memory out of the earth.
17 and delivered them out of all their afflictions.
When righteous cry, they are heard by the Lord, and he saves them from all their distresses.
18 The Lord is near to them that are of a contrite heart; and will save the lowly in spirit.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but out of them all Lord will deliver them.
Many misfortunes befall the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.
20 He keeps all their bones: not one of them shall be broken.
He guards all their bones, none are broken.
21 The death of sinners is evil: and they that hate righteousness will go wrong.
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 those that hope in him shall go wrong.
The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be doomed who takes refuge in him.
