Psalms 34
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
On the title compare Sa1 21:13. Abimelech was the general name of the sovereign (Gen 20:2). After celebrating God's gracious dealings with him, the Psalmist exhorts others to make trial of His providential care, instructing them how to secure it. He then contrasts God's care of His people and His punitive providence towards the wicked. (Psa. 34:1-22) Even in distress, which excites supplication, there is always matter for praising and thanking God (compare Eph 5:20; Phi 4:6).
Open source ↗I will bless the Lord at all times,.... That is, ascribe blessing, give honour, praise, and glory to him, both as the God of nature and providence, for every temporal mercy; and that every day, and at all times in the day; since these are renewed every morning, and continue all the day long: and as the God of grace, for all spiritual blessings; and that continually, because these last always; they are irreversible, unchangeable, and without repentance; yea, saints have reason to bless God in times of adversity as well as prosperity, since it might have been worse with them than it is; they have a mixture of mercy in all, and all things work together for their good; his praise shall continually be in my mouth; not the "praise" of which God is the author, but of which he is the object; which is due unto him, and is given him on account of the perfections of his nature, and the works of his hands, and the blessings of his providence and grace; this, the psalmist says, should be in his mouth: his meaning is, that he should not only retain in his heart a grateful sense of the divine favours, but should express it with his lips; should both make melody in his heart to the Lord, and vocally sing his praise; and that "continually", as long as he lived, or had any being, Psa 146:2.
Open source ↗(Heb.: 34:2-4) The poet begins with the praise of Jahve, and calls upon all the pious to unite with him in praising Him. The substantival clause Psa 34:2, is intended to have just as much the force of a cohortative as the verbal clause Psa 34:2. אברכה, like ויגרשׁהו, is to be written with Chateph-Pathach in the middle syllable. In distinction from עניּים, afflicti, ענוים signifies submissi, those who have learnt endurance or patience in the school of affliction. The praise of the psalmist will greatly help to strengthen and encourage such; for it applies to the Deliverer of the oppressed. But in order that this praise may sound forth with strength and fulness of tone, he courts the assistance of companions in Psa 34:4. To acknowledge the divine greatness with the utterance of praise is expressed by גּדּל with an accusative in Psa 69:31; in this instance with ל: to offer גּדלּה unto Him, cf. Psa 29:2. Even רומם has this subjective meaning: with the heart and in word and deed, to place the exalted Name of God as high as it really is in itself. In accordance with the rule, that when in any word two of the same letters follow one another and the first has a Sheb, this Sheb must be an audible one, and in fact Chateph Pathach preceded by Gaja (Metheg), we must write וּנרוממה.
Open source ↗The title of this psalm tells us both who penned it and upon what occasion it was penned. David, being forced to flee from his country, which was made too hot for him by the rage of Saul, sought shelter as near it as he could, in the land of the Philistines. There it was soon discovered who he was, and he was brought before the king, who, in the narrative, is called Achish (his proper name), here Abimelech (his title); and lest he should be treated as a spy, or one that came thither upon design, he feigned himself to be a madman (such there have been in every age, that even by idiots men might be taught to give God thanks for the use of their reason), that Achish might dismiss him as a contemptible man, rather than take cognizance of him as a dangerous man. And it had the effect he desired; by this stratagem he escaped the hand that otherwise would have handled him roughly. Now, 1. We cannot justify David in this dissimulation. It ill became an honest man to feign himself to be what he was not, and a man of honour to feign himself to be a fool and a mad-man. If, in sport, we mimic those who have not so good an understanding as we think we have, we forget that God might have made their case ours. 2. Yet we cannot but wonder at the composure of his spirit, and how far he was from any change of that, when he changed his behaviour. Even when he was in that fright, or rather in that danger only, his heart was so fixed, trusting in God, that even then he penned this excellent psalm, which has as much in it of the marks of a calm sedate spirit as any psalm in all the book; and there is something curious too in the composition, for it is what is called an alphabetical psalm, that is, a psalm in which every verse begins with each letter in its order as it stands in the Hebrew al…
Open source ↗Ps 34 This wisdom psalm includes a thanksgiving hymn (34:1-7) that celebrates the Lord’s care for and protection of godly sufferers. It also includes an invitation to wisdom (34:8-14) and an exposition of wisdom concerning the Lord’s care for the needy and the suffering of the wicked (34:15-22). 34:title Abimelech is another name for Achish (see 1 Sam 21:10-15). The body of the psalm makes no explicit connection to this event. 34:1-3 The psalmist exhorts the helpless to join him in praise.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁנָה (shânâh, H8138) — to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute… טַעַם (ṭaʻam, H2940) — properly, a taste, i.e. (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence;… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. תְּהִלָּה (tᵉhillâh, H8416) — laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָו (ʻânâv, H6035) — depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
Open source ↗גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
Open source ↗דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense מְגוּרָה (mᵉgûwrâh, H4035) — a fright; also a granary
Open source ↗נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care נָהַר (nâhar, H5102) — to sparkle, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream)… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חָפֵר (châphêr, H2659) — to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach
Open source ↗עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… צָרָה (tsârâh, H6869) — tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival:
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3373) — fearing; morally, reverent חָלַץ (châlats, H2502) — to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to…
Open source ↗טָעַם (ṭâʻam, H2938) — to taste; figuratively, to perceive רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in
Open source ↗יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… מַחְסוֹר (machçôwr, H4270) — deficiency; hence, impoverishment יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3373) — fearing; morally, reverent
Open source ↗כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) רוּשׁ (rûwsh, H7326) — to be destitute רָעֵב (râʻêb, H7456) — to hunger דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָסֵר (châçêr, H2637) — to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) יִרְאָה (yirʼâh, H3374) — fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2655) — pleased with חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗נָצַר (nâtsar, H5341) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal,… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מִרְמָה (mirmâh, H4820) — fraud
Open source ↗סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your splendor all day long.
But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.