Today I want to write about my favorite passage in Scripture. Psalm 34 is rich, lovely, and powerful. So I’ve walked through the chapter and written my thoughts on the verses it contains.
Verse 1: I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Imagine what it would be like to be in a constant state of worship – at all times, continually. To have our minds set on praising God nonstop. I expect that we would see a change in the ways that we view not only God, but also others and ourselves. When we are continually focused on the goodness of our Creator, how can we not also value and care for His creation? And I believe that this overwhelming level of praise would be noticeable to those around us. As unbelievers make their way through a painfully exhausting world, surely people characterized by so much optimism, joy, and thankfulness would catch their attention. And what better way to properly introduce others to the love of God than by expressing gratitude for that very love?
Verse 2-3: My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
One of the most amazing characteristics that God designed us with is our desire to be relational. We were intended to have a relationship both with the Lord and with those around us. As believers, it is so important to be joined with others in worshipping the Lord. It allows us to be encouraged and strengthened by our fellow believers when our own faith is weak. And when we are strong, we can do the same for those who are struggling. Worshipping the Lord with other Christians also helps keep us accountable as it reorients our hearts to focus on the peace of God and the unity He commands instead of the worldly divisions that often take root within churches. There is something so precious about communal worship, and I hope to never take it for granted.
Verse 4: I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that the Lord hears us when we seek Him? There are plenty of causes for fear in the world, and sometimes it can become overwhelming. We don’t have to deny that we have fear; we just have to surrender it to the peace of God. When we begin to experience the fear that cripples us, we must relinquish control and give it all over to Him, reminding ourselves of the assurance that God hears us, answers us, and delivers us.
Verse 5: They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed
In the Old Testament, Moses used to speak with God on the mountain; he was allowed to see the Lord in ways no one else could. And as a result of this physical closeness, his entire face shone with light – to the point that the Israelites were terrified to look directly at him. Being in the physical presence of God changed his very appearance – how much more should the Lord’s indwelling within our hearts change us! No longer do we have to hide because of our shame, for we are cleansed. We are made radiant and confident in the Lord. This is the effect of communing with a holy God.
Verse 8: O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
I love this phrase, O taste and see, because it reminds me that God is real and tangibly good. We can see and experience it for ourselves. He doesn’t hide Himself from us or try to keep us in the dark – instead, He delights in making His character known to us. Just as we understand God’s goodness, we can tangibly experience His blessing. When we take refuge in Him, we are blessed in countless ways – blessed with the security and protection He provides, blessed with the forgiveness of our sins, blessed with a deeper relationship with Him.
Verses 14-15: Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
Think about the words used here. This verse tells us to depart from evil, to completely leave its presence, to not be willing to dwell anywhere near it nor have any part in it. Then, it tells us to seek peace and pursue it. We are not to passively wait for peace, hoping it crosses our paths. Instead we must intentionally, passionately chase peace and righteousness. When we do so, we know that the Lord’s eyes and ears are attentive towards us.
Verse 18: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Regardless of how far away God may seem at times, He is always present. Often, in the midst of unimaginable pain, we’re not looking for anyone to offer advice or to run around trying to fix things. All we want is someone to walk alongside us through our suffering. This nearness of a friend is what brings comfort. And we know that when we are brokenhearted, the Lord is so near to us, walking beside us and caring for us. It may be quiet, but His presence is with us nonetheless. So when we face troubles, we can bring our fatigue and weariness, our discouragement and pain, to the One who saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Verse 19-20: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken.
How wonderful it feels to know that we are precious to God. He keeps us. He delivers us. In this world we are not guaranteed an easy life – in fact we know without a doubt that we will face difficulties. In spite of all this, we are held in love by the One who holds all things. This description, He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken is so beautiful to me. In it I witness the tender, nurturing love of God, who cares so deeply for us and for our welfare. Our God nurtures us and wants good for us. Who better to entrust our lives to?
Verse 22: The Lord redeems the soul of his servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Let’s take refuge in the Lord, knowing that we are secure and safe from all condemnation when we’re found in Him. He can do all things, and He is so willing to save us. We must only give ourselves fully to Him, entrusting our lives, our desires, our plans, our entire beings into His care.
Related Scripture
Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints, for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
The Girl that Jesus Loved 