Bible Commentaries
Psalms 34

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. App-65 . of David = by, or relating to David.

when. Compare 1 Samuel 21:10 , 1 Samuel 22:1 .

Abimelech. An appellative for the kings of Gath. This Abimelech was named Achish. This is an Acrostic Psalm (see App-63 .). It is divided into two parts, eleven letters to the first and eleven to the second.

the LORD. Hebrew 'eth Jehovah. App-4 . (Objective).

Verse 2

My soul = I myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

humble = patient, oppressed.

Verse 4

heard = answered.

delivered = rescued.

Verse 5

They looked. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read Imperative, "Look. ! "

looked = looked expectantly. To this end Jehovah keeps us in salutary suspense.

unto Him. That is why they were radiant. To look within is to be miserable (see notes on 77). To look around is to be distracted (see notes on 73).

Verse 6

troubles = distresses.

Verse 7

The angel of the LORD. Occurs in Psalms only here and Psalms 35:5 . Here, in mercy; there, in judgment. Compare Acts 12:0 : delivering Peter (verses: Psalms 34:7-11 ), and smiting Herod ( Psa 34:23 ).

encampeth. Hebrew. hanah. Hence the name "Maha-naim" = two camps in Jacob's vision, afterward to be noted in David's history (2 Samuel 17:24 , 2 Samuel 17:27 ; 2 Samuel 19:32 ).

fear = revere.

Verse 8

taste, &c. Referred to in 1 Peter 2:3 .

Blessed = How happy. See App-63 .

man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 . Trusting not in his own strength, but in Jehovah.

trusteth in = fleeth for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah . App-69 .I.

Verse 9

saints = separated ones. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 11

children = sons.

Verse 12

What . . . ? Referred to in 1 Peter 3:10-12 .

life. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put for all that makes life worth living.

Verse 13

Keep, &c. Figure of speech Apostrophe.

Verse 15

ears. Figure of speech, Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 16

face. Figure of speech, Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 17

cry = have cried.

heareth = hath heard.

delivereth = hath rescued.

Verse 18

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 19

the righteous = a righteous one. Compare "him", next clause.

Verse 20

bones. True (by application) of the members of Christ's body. See note on Psalms 35:10 . Ephesians 5:30 . Hence John 19:31-33 .Exodus 12:46 . Heartbroken (Psalms 69:20 ), but not "bones".

Verse 21

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

desolate = held guilty.

Verse 22

redeemeth = delivereth (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 13:13 ; and compare Exodus 6:6 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .