Psalm 34

(A poem of King David written when he feigned madness before the Philistine king, who then dismissed him.  And so David departed.)

At all times I give my thanks to Jehovah;
My praise for him will always be on my lips.
With my whole being I exalt Jehovah.
Let the poor and humble hear and rejoice.
Join with me to glorify Jehovah,
And let us extol his name together.

I sought Jehovah’s help and he answered me;
He delivered me from all that I feared.
Those who turn to him for help will beam with joy,
They will never be ashamed of themselves!

Here is one afflicted who called out to him
And Jehovah saved him from all his troubles.
The agent of Jehovah surrounds and guards.
Protects and defends those who revere him.

Take a look and see how good Jehovah is!
Happy is the man who puts his trust in him.
You who worship Jehovah, revere him
For those who revere him will lack for nothing.

Even the lion, the noblest of beasts,
May suffer want and grow weak with hunger
But those who put their trust in Jehovah
Will never lack for the good things of life.

Come, come, my children, and listen to me,
For I will teach you to revere Jehovah!

Whatever man has a love of life
And wishes to see many good days
Will keep his tongue from speaking evil
And stop his lips from telling lies.
He will reject evil and do good,
Choose peace and strive to pursue it.

Jehovah’s eyes are upon the righteous,
And his ears listen to their pleas for help,
But he opposes the evildoers,
Erasing their memory from the earth.

Jehovah hears them when the righteous cry out for help,
And he delivers them from all of their troubles.
Jehovah lends comfort to those whose hearts are broken,
And he rescues those whose spirits have been shattered.
Many may be the afflictions of the righteous,
But Jehovah gives them relief from all of them.
He will protect their bones so none will be broken.

Calamity will destroy the wicked;
Those who hate the righteous will be judged guilty.
Jehovah redeems the souls of his servants;
No one who has faith in him will be condemned.