Gray early morning on a road through low hills: seen from far behind, a lone young man in a torn dusty cloak walks away toward the hills, a small town on its mound behind him.

Thanksgiving · David

Psalm 34

David got out of Gath by acting mad. This is what he sang on the far side of that day.

22 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'Psalm 34
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

Taste and See That the LORD Is Good

Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise will always be on my lips.

My soul boasts in the LORD;

let the oppressed hear and rejoice.

Magnify the LORD with me;

let us exalt His name together.

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Fear the LORD, you His saints,

for those who fear Him lack nothing.

Young lions go lacking and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Question

Quick question

Hold verse 10 next to what comes later.

After “those who seek the LORD lack no good thing,” what does the psalm say about the righteous at verse 19?

In a village lane in late afternoon, two men in plain wool clasp forearms, a little stiffly, as a neighbor glances from a doorway.

Who is the man who delights in life,

who desires to see good days?

Keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from deceitful speech.

Turn away from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

and His ears are inclined to their cry.

But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

0:25

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears;

He delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted;

He saves the contrite in spirit.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted;

Psalm 34:18

Pray

Someone you know

Bring one person you know who is brokenhearted, by name. Tell the LORD what you know of their pain, and ask Him to be near to them today.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers him from them all.

He protects all his bones;

not one of them will be broken.

First light at the plain wooden gate of a small walled hill town, the gate standing open, a lone traveler with a staff going in, a watchman nodding him through.

Evil will slay the wicked,

and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.

The LORD redeems His servants,

and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 34

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8

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