Psalms 34
1 [By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.] I will bless Jehovah at all times. His praise will always 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 boast in Jehovah. The humble shall hear of it, 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 Oh magnify Jehovah with me. Let us exalt his name together.
Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.
4 I sought Jehovah, and he answered 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 to him and were radiant, and their faces are 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 Jehovah 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 Jehovah encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.
8 Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Taste, and you will see that the Lord is good! How happy are those who trust in his protection!
9 Oh fear Jehovah, you his holy ones, for there is no lack with those who 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 those who seek Jehovah shall not lack any good thing.
Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.
11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Jehovah.
Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.
12 Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
Who of you wants to live a long and happy life?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.
14 Turn away 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 Jehovah are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.
The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.
16 Jehovah's face is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory 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 out, and Jehovah hears, and delivers 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 Jehovah is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed 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 Jehovah delivers him out of them all.
Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.
20 He protects all of 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 kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.
22 Jehovah redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.
