Psalms 34 — NETB

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

34Verse 1I will praise the Lord at all times;
my mouth will continually praise him.
^{Verse 2}I will boast in the Lord;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice!
^{Verse 3}Magnify the Lord with me!
Let’s praise his name together!
^{Verse 4}I sought the Lord’s help and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
^{Verse 5}Those who look to him for help are happy;
their faces are not ashamed.
^{Verse 6}This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;
he saved him from all his troubles.
^{Verse 7}The Lord’s angel camps around
the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.
^{Verse 8}Taste and see that the Lord is good!
How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him!
^{Verse 9}Remain loyal to the Lord, you chosen people of his,
for his loyal followers lack nothing!
^{Verse 10}Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
^{Verse 11}Come children! Listen to me!
I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord.
^{Verse 12}Do you want to really live?
Would you love to live a long, happy life?
^{Verse 13}Then make sure you don’t speak evil words
or use deceptive speech!
^{Verse 14}Turn away from evil and do what is right!
Strive for peace and promote it!
^{Verse 15}The Lord pays attention to the godly
and hears their cry for help.
^{Verse 16}But the Lord opposes evildoers
and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.
^{Verse 17}The godly cry out and the Lord hears;
he saves them from all their troubles.
^{Verse 18}The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
he delivers those who are discouraged.
^{Verse 19}The godly face many dangers,
but the Lord saves them from each one of them.
^{Verse 20}He protects all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
^{Verse 21}Evil people self-destruct;
those who hate the godly are punished.
^{Verse 22}The Lord rescues his servants;
all who take shelter in him escape punishment.