Psalms 34:1-22 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

In this psalm praise is personal. After the chorus of the last we have a solo full of feeling. It tells of the goodness of Jehovah and that in order that others may know and be helped. The opening declares this. The song is to be perpetual and the meek are to be made glad thereby. Then there is the desire to draw others into the same attitude of praise. It is good to go through simply to find the things Jehovah has done. "He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." "They looked unto him, and were radiant." "Jehovah heard him and saved him." His eyes "are toward... His ears are open." "Jehovah heard, and delivered them." "Jehovah is night." "Jehovah delivereth." "He keepeth." "Jehovah redeemeth."

This is not an exhaustive list, for on the side of human reception many more things are said. It is a song which tells of the nearness, the tender sensitiveness, the ready help, the mighty power of Jehovah on behalf of all who trust Him. It is, moreover, rich in its lack of selfishness. The singer is eager for others to hear, to test, to praise, and he takes time to sing to the children that they also may know the secret of life.

Psalms 34:1-22

1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened:a and their faces were not 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 encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

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

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.b

22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.c