Psalm 34:12
New International Version
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

New Living Translation
Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?

English Standard Version
What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

Berean Standard Bible
Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?

King James Bible
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

New King James Version
Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?

New American Standard Bible
Who is the person who desires life And loves length of days, that he may see good?

NASB 1995
Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good?

NASB 1977
Who is the man who desires life, And loves length of days that he may see good?

Legacy Standard Bible
Who is the man who delights in life And loves many days that he may see good?

Amplified Bible
Who is the man who desires life And loves many days, that he may see good?

Christian Standard Bible
Who is someone who desires life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?

American Standard Version
What man is he that desireth life, And loveth many days, that he may see good?

Contemporary English Version
Do you want to live and enjoy a long life?

English Revised Version
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Which of you wants a full life? Who would like to live long enough to enjoy good things?

Good News Translation
Would you like to enjoy life? Do you want long life and happiness?

International Standard Version
Who among you desires life, and wants long life in order to see good?

Majority Standard Bible
Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?

NET Bible
Do you want to really live? Would you love to live a long, happy life?

New Heart English Bible
Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

Webster's Bible Translation
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

World English Bible
Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who [is] the man that is desiring life? Loving days to see good?

Young's Literal Translation
Who is the man that is desiring life? Loving days to see good?

Smith's Literal Translation
Who the man desiring life, loving days, to see good?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth to see good days?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Which is the man who wills life, who chooses to see good days?

New American Bible
Who is the man who delights in life, who loves to see the good days?

New Revised Standard Version
Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Where is the man who desires not life and many days that he may see the good time to come?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who is the man who desires life and loves to see good days?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who is the man that desireth life, and loveth days, That he may see good therein?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
What man is there that desires life, loving to see good days?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Taste and See that the LORD is Good
11Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days? 13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.…

Cross References
1 Peter 3:10-12
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. / He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. / For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

James 3:2-10
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. / When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. / Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. ...

Ephesians 6:2-3
“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, / and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot. / Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God. / For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; / for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

Proverbs 4:10
Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.

Proverbs 9:11
For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.


Treasury of Scripture

What man is he that desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

What

Psalm 21:4
He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

Psalm 91:16
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Deuteronomy 6:2
That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

that he

Psalm 4:6
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Job 7:7
O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

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Covets Desire Desires Desireth Desiring Enjoy Good Increased Length Life Someone Therein
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Psalm 34
1. David praises God, and exhorts others thereto by his experience
8. They are blessed who trust in God
11. He exhorts to the fear of God
15. The privileges of the righteous














Who is the man
This phrase invites introspection and self-examination. In the Hebrew text, the word for "man" is "אִישׁ" (ish), which can refer to a person of any gender, emphasizing the universal nature of the message. The question posed is rhetorical, encouraging the reader to consider their own life and desires. Historically, this reflects the wisdom literature's style, which often begins with a question to engage the audience in a deeper reflection on their spiritual journey.

who desires life
The Hebrew word for "desires" is "חָפֵץ" (chafetz), which implies a deep longing or delight. This is not merely about existing but about seeking a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. In the biblical context, "life" (חַיִּים, chayyim) often refers to more than just physical existence; it encompasses a life lived in alignment with God's will, full of purpose and divine blessing. This reflects the ancient Hebrew understanding that true life is found in relationship with God.

and loves many days
The phrase "loves many days" suggests an appreciation for longevity and the blessings that come with it. The Hebrew word for "loves" is "אָהֵב" (ahev), indicating a deep affection or commitment. In the biblical context, "many days" is often associated with the blessings of obedience and righteousness, as seen in the wisdom literature and the covenant promises of the Old Testament. This reflects the cultural value placed on a long life as a sign of God's favor.

that he may see good?
The desire "to see good" is a longing for a life filled with goodness, prosperity, and divine favor. The Hebrew word for "see" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which can mean to perceive or experience. "Good" (טוֹב, tov) in the biblical sense often refers to moral goodness, well-being, and the blessings that come from living in accordance with God's commandments. This phrase encapsulates the biblical promise that those who seek God and live righteously will experience His goodness in their lives. Historically, this reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience leads to blessing.

(12) Desireth life.--Better, the man delighting in life. These gnomic sayings are echoes from the book of Proverbs. (See especially Proverbs 4:23.)

Verse 12. - What man is he that desireth life? Like most moralists, David begins with asking men - Do they wish for happiness? If so, and he assumes that it is so (comp. Arist., 'Eth. Nic.,' I. 1. - 7.), then he will point them out the way to it. And loveth many days, that he may see good? Mere life, mere length of days, would not suffice for men, would be no object of desire, unless it were assumed that the days would bring them "good" - in other words, that they would be happy days.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Who
מִֽי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

is the man
הָ֭אִישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who delights in
הֶחָפֵ֣ץ (he·ḥā·p̄êṣ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2655: Delighting in, having pleasure in

life,
חַיִּ֑ים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

who desires
אֹהֵ֥ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

to see [many]
לִרְא֥וֹת (lir·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200: To see

good
טֽוֹב׃ (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

days?
יָ֝מִ֗ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Poetry: Psalm 34:12 Who is someone who desires life (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 34:11
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