Psalm 34

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

1I will praise the Lord at all times;

my mouth will continually praise him.

2I will boast in the Lord;

let the oppressed hear and rejoice!

3Magnify the Lord with me!

Let’s praise his name together!

4I sought the Lord’s help and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

5Those who look to him for help are happy;

their faces are not ashamed.

6This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;

he saved him from all his troubles.

7The Lord’s angel camps around

the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.

8Taste and see that the Lord is good!

How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him!

9Remain loyal to the Lord, you chosen people of his,

for his loyal followers lack nothing!

10Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11Come children! Listen to me!

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

12Do you want to really live?

Would you love to live a long, happy life?

13Then make sure you don’t speak evil words

or use deceptive speech!

14Turn away from evil and do what is right!

Strive for peace and promote it!

15The Lord pays attention to the godly

and hears their cry for help.

16But the Lord opposes evildoers

and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.

17The godly cry out and the Lord hears;

he saves them from all their troubles.

18The Lord is near the brokenhearted;

he delivers those who are discouraged.

19The godly face many dangers,

but the Lord saves them from each one of them.

20He protects all his bones;

not one of them is broken.

21Evil people self-destruct;

those who hate the godly are punished.

22The Lord rescues his servants;

all who take shelter in him escape punishment.