Psalms 34:14
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Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This psalm was penned upon a particular occasion, as appears by the title, and yet there is little in it peculiar to that occasion, but that which is general, both by way of thanksgiving to God an instruction to us. I. He praises God for the experience which he and others had had of his goodness (Psa 34:1-6). II. He encourages all good people to trust in God and to seek to him (Psa 34:7-10). III. He gives good counsel to us all, as unto children, to take heed of sin, and to make conscience of our duty both to God and man (Psa 34:11-14). IV. To enforce this good counsel he shows God's favour to the righteous and his displeasure against the wicked, in which he sets before us good and evil, the blessing and the curse (Psa 34:15-22). So that, in singing this psalm, we are both to give glory to God and to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. A psalm of David when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
Open source ↗34:14 The way of peace leads to harmony and order, whereas evil destroys them (see 37:11).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.