Bible Commentaries
Psalms 34

Verse 1

34:1 [[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.] I will bless the LORD {a} at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

(a) He promised never to become unmindful of God’s great benefit for his deliverance.

Verse 2

34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the {b} humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.

(b) They who are beaten down with the experience of their own evils.

Verse 4

34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my {c} fears.

(c) Which I conceived for the danger I was in.

Verse 5

34:5 They {d} looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

(d) They will be bold to flee to you for help, when they see your mercies toward me.

Verse 7

34:7 The {e} angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

(e) Though God’s power is sufficient to govern us, yet for man’s infirmity he appoints his angels to watch over us.

Verse 10

34:10 The young {f} lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not {g} want any good [thing].

(f) The godly by their patient obedience profit more than they who ravage and spoil.

(g) If they abide the last trial.

Verse 11

34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the {h} fear of the LORD.

(h) That is, the true religion and worship of God.

Verse 12

34:12 What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may {i} see good?

(i) Seeing all men naturally desire happiness, he wonders why they cast themselves willingly into misery.

Verse 16

34:16 The {k} face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

(k) The anger of God not only destroys the wicked, but also abolishes their name forever.

Verse 18

34:18 The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a {l} broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

(l) When they seem to be swallowed up with afflictions, then God is at hand to deliver them.

Verse 20

34:20 {m} He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

(m) And as Christ says, all the hairs of his head.

Verse 21

34:21 Evil shall slay the {n} wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

(n) Their wicked enterprises will turn to their own destruction.

Verse 22

34:22 The LORD {o} redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

(o) For when they seem to be overcome with great dangers and death itself, then God shows himself as their redeemer.