Written by David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away. 2
34:1 I will praise 3 the Lord at all times;
my mouth will continually praise him. 4
34:2 I will boast 5 in the Lord;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice! 6
34:3 Magnify the Lord with me!
Let’s praise 7 his name together!
34:4 I sought the Lord’s help 8 and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
34:5 Those who look to him for help are happy;
their faces are not ashamed. 9
34:6 This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;
he saved him 10 from all his troubles.
34:7 The Lord’s angel camps around
the Lord’s 11 loyal followers 12 and delivers them. 13
34:8 Taste 14 and see that the Lord is good!
How blessed 15 is the one 16 who takes shelter in him! 17
34:9 Remain loyal to 18 the Lord, you chosen people of his, 19
for his loyal followers 20 lack nothing!
34:10 Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
34:11 Come children! Listen to me!
I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord. 21
34:12 Do you want to really live? 22
Would you love to live a long, happy life? 23
34:13 Then make sure you don’t speak evil words 24
or use deceptive speech! 25
34:14 Turn away from evil and do what is right! 26
Strive for peace and promote it! 27
34:15 The Lord pays attention to the godly
and hears their cry for help. 28
34:16 But the Lord opposes evildoers
and wipes out all memory of them from the earth. 29
34:17 The godly 30 cry out and the Lord hears;
he saves them from all their troubles. 31
34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
he delivers 32 those who are discouraged. 33