In The Word
Read Psalm 34
The Lord, a Provider and Deliverer.
A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed.
34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul will make its boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3 O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 O fear the Lord, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.
10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life
And loves length of days that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
This psalm is best believed to have been written during the time when David was in the land of Gath before King Achish. Remember, Gath is where Goliath was from, and the people of Gath remembered David’s military victories. At this point, David was not commanding a great army, he only had a few men with him while running from King Saul. In spite of these circumstances, David chose for praise to be on his lips.
Praise keeps the focus off of ourselves and on the one who can move on our behalf. That one is God. God inhabits the praises of His people. Inhabit means to dwell in or take up residence. Regardless of the circumstances, He will inhabit them. Praise ushers in God’s presence. Scripture also tells us that in God’s presence is the fullness of joy and life-everlasting. Joy is what will carry us when the world around us looks grim. God’s presence also brings a peace that transcends our understanding. I am reminded of the peace that Jesus had while there was a storm around Him while he was sleeping in the boat. God’s presence also brings His physical protection to us. We see this as David closes out this psalm with verse 19. When we determine to praise God regardless of what we are walking through in life, God will give us peace, joy, and protection. Make it your business today to have God’s praise to be on your lips.