Psalms 34

1 “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.

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 In the LORD doth my soul boast; Let the afflicted hear, and rejoice!

In the Lord will my heart make her boast, the humble will hear and be glad.

3 O magnify 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, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

I sought the Lord, and, in answer, he saved me from all my terrors.

5 Look up to him, and ye shall have light; Your faces shall never be ashamed.

Look to him and you will be radiant, with faces unashamed.

6 This afflicted man cried, and the LORD heard, And saved him from all his troubles.

Here is one who was crushed, but cried and was heard by the Lord, and brought safe out of every trouble.

7 The angels of the LORD encamp around those who fear him, And deliver them.

The Lord’s angel encamps about those who fear him, and rescues them.

8 O taste, and see how good is the LORD! Happy the man who trusteth in him!

O taste and see that the Lord is good, happy those who take refuge in him.

9 O fear the LORD, ye his servants! For to those who fear him there shall be no want.

Fear the Lord, all his people, for they who fear him lack nothing.

10 Young lions want, and suffer hunger; But they who fear the LORD want no good thing.

Even young lions may be poor and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken to 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 Who is he that loveth life, And desireth many days, in which he may see good?

Which of you is desirous of life, loves many and happy days?

13 Guard well thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile!

Then guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Depart 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 upon the righteous, And his ears are open to their cry.

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 evil-doers, To cut off their remembrance from the earth.

The Lord sets his face against those who do evil, to root their memory out of the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, And delivereth 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 near to them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite 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 the LORD delivereth him from them all.

Many misfortunes befall the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.

20 He guardeth all his bones; Not one of them shall be broken.

He guards all their bones, none are broken.

21 Calamity destroyeth the wicked, And they who hate the righteous suffer for it.

Misfortune will slay the ungodly; those who hate the righteous are doomed.

22 The LORD redeemeth the life of his servants, And none that put their trust in him will suffer for it.

The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be doomed who takes refuge in him.