Psalm 3434

Written by David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away.35

34:1 I will praise1 the Lord at all times;

my mouth will continually praise him.2

34:2 I will boast3 in the Lord;

let the oppressed hear and rejoice!4

34:3 Magnify the Lord with me!

Let’s praise5 his name together!

34:4 I sought the Lord’s help6 and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

34:5 Those who look to him for help are happy;

their faces are not ashamed.7

34:6 This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;

he saved him8 from all his troubles.

34:7 The Lord’s angel camps around

the Lord’s9 loyal followers10 and delivers them.11

34:8 Taste12 and see that the Lord is good!

How blessed13 is the one14 who takes shelter in him!15

34:9 Remain loyal to16 the Lord, you chosen people of his,17

for his loyal followers18 lack nothing!

34:10 Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

34:11 Come children! Listen to me!

I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord.19

34:12 Do you want to really live?20

Would you love to live a long, happy life?21

34:13 Then make sure you don’t speak evil words22

or use deceptive speech!23

34:14 Turn away from evil and do what is right!24

Strive for peace and promote it!25

34:15 The Lord pays attention to the godly

and hears their cry for help.26

34:16 But the Lord opposes evildoers

and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.27

34:17 The godly28 cry out and the Lord hears;

he saves them from all their troubles.29

34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted;

he delivers30 those who are discouraged.31

34:19 The godly32 face many dangers,33

but the Lord saves34 them35 from each one of them.

34:20 He protects36 all his bones;37

not one of them is broken.38

34:21 Evil people self-destruct;39

those who hate the godly are punished.40

34:22 The Lord rescues his servants;41

all who take shelter in him escape punishment.42