Psalms 34
1 A psalm of David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him out. I will praise Yahweh 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 I will praise Yahweh! May the oppressed hear and rejoice.
From the bottom of my heart I am proud of the Lord; those who are humble will hear and be happy.
3 Praise Yahweh with me, let us lift up his name together.
Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.
4 I sought Yahweh and he answered me, and he gave me victory over all my fears.
I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He set me free from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are 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 oppressed man cried and Yahweh heard him and saved him from all his troubles.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of Yahweh camps around those who fear him and rescues them.
The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.
8 Taste and see that Yahweh 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 Fear Yahweh, you his holy people. There is no lack for 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 sometimes lack food and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh will not lack anything good.
Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.
11 Come, sons, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
Who of you wants to live a long and happy life?
13 Then keep your tongue from evil and keep 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 go after it.
Reject what is evil, do what is good. Look for peace, and work to make it a reality.
15 The eyes of Yahweh are on the righteous and his ears are directed toward their cry.
The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.
16 The face of Yahweh 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 Yahweh hears and he rescues them from all their troubles.
But when his people call out for help, he hears them and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The Lord is close beside those who are broken-hearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers them out of them all.
Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.
20 He keeps all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
He keeps them safe—not a single one of their bones will be broken.
21 Evil will kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.
22 Yahweh rescues the lives of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.
