34:1ffGod promises great blessings to his people, but many of these blessings require active participation. He will set us free from our fears (34:4, 6), guard and defend us (34:7), show us goodness (34:8), supply our needs (34:9), listen when we call! to him (34:15), and redeem us (34:22), but we must do our part. We can appropriate his blessings when we trust him (34:4, 10); cry out to him (34:6, 17); take refuge in him (34:8); fear him (34:9); refrain from tying (34:13); turn from evil, do good, and search for peace (34:14); are brokenhearted (34:18); and serve him (34:22).
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 34
Psalm 34
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 877, 878, 879
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
34Psalm 34
1I will constantly speak his praises.
2Twill boast only in the LORD;let all who are helpless take heart.
3Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness;let us exalt his name together.
4I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me.He freed me from all my fears.
5Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened;he saved me from all my troubles.
7For the angel of the LORD is a guard;he surrounds and defends all who fear him.34 This psaim is a Hebrew acrostic poem; each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
8Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! 9Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. 10Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.
11Come, my children, and listen to me,and I will teach you to fear the LORD.
12Does anyone want to live a lifethat is long and prosperous?
13Then keep your tongue from speaking eviland your lips from telling lies!
14Turn away from evil and do good.Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. 16But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil: he will erase their memory from the earth. 1” The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 19The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. 20For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! 21Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. 22But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Theme: A prayer to God for help against those who try to inflict injury for no reason. When our enemies are unjust and lie about us, even when we do good to them, we can appeal to God who is always just. Author: David, possibly written when he was being hunted by Saul (1 Samuel 24)
Life Application Notes 4 notes
34:8“Taste and see” does not mean, “Check out God's credentials.” Instead, it is a warm invitation: “Try this; I know you'll like it.” When we take that first step of obedience in following God, we will discover that he is good and kind. When we begin the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust him daily, we experience how good he is.
34:9You say you belong to the LORD, but do you fear him? To fear the LORD means to show him deep respect, reverence, and honor. We demonstrate this attitude by humility and genuine worship. Abraham (Genesis 17:2-4), Moses (Exodus 3:5, 6), and the Israelites (Exodus 19:16-24) showed this kind of fear of the LORD.
34:9,10At first we may question David's statement because we seem to lack many good things. This is not a blanket promise that ail Christians will have everything they want. Instead, this is David's praise for God’s goodness—all those who call upon God in their need will be answered, sometimes in unexpected ways. Remember, God knows what we need, and our deepest needs are spiritual. Even though many Christians face unbearable poverty and hardship, they still have enough spiritual Nourishment to live for God. David was saying that if you have God, you have all you really need. God is enough. If you feel you don't have everything you need, ask: (1) Is this really a need? (2) Is this really good for me? (3) Is this the best time for me to have what I desire? Even if you answer yes to alf three questions, God may allow you to go without
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to help you grow more dependent on him. He may want you to learn that you need Aim more than having your immediate desires met. 34:11-14 The Bible often connects the fear of the LORD (love and reverence for him) with obedience. “Fear God and obey his commands” (Ecclesiastes 12:13); “All those who love me will do what I say” (John 14:23). David said that a person who fears the LORD doesn’t lie, turns from evil, does good, and promotes peace. Reverence is much more than sitting quietly in church. It includes obeying God in the way we speak and the way we treat others. 34:14 Some may think that peace should come with no effort. But David explained that we are to work hard at peace. Paul echoed this thought in Romans 12:18. A person who wants peace cannot be argumentative and contentious. Because peaceful relationships come from our efforts at peacemaking, work hard at living in peace with others each day. 34:18, 19 We often wish we could escape troubles—the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure, or even the smail daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. God promises to be “close to the brokenhearted” and to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. Sometimes he chooses to deliver us from those problems. When trouble strikes, don’t get frustrated with God. instead, admit that you need God's help and thank him for being by your side. 34:20 This is a prophecy about Christ when he was crucified. Although it was the Roman custom to break the legs of the victim to speed death, not one of Jesus’ bones was broken (John 19:32-37). In addition to the prophetic meaning, David was pleading for God’s protection in times of crisis.
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Cruelty may be far removed from some people's experience, but it is a daily reality to others. God promises to help the persecuted and to bring judgment on unrepentant sinners. When we pray for justice to be done, we are praying as David did. When Christ returns, the wicked will be punished. 35:13 David was sad when his prayers seemed “unanswered.” When our deliverance is delayed, we may assume that God hasn't answered our prayers. God hears every prayer, but he answers according to his wisdom. Don't let the absence of an immediate answer cause you to doubt or resent God. Instead, let it be an occasion to deepen your faith.