Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 34
“ A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed. 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 9 O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.[1]” (Psalm 34, NASB 95)—Psalm 34
Psalm 34 is a thanksgiving psalm and an acrostic poem, a unique literary form where the lines start with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. David, the author, opens by praising God and encouraging others to join him (vv. 1–3). He then praises God’s faithfulness, describing a time when the Lord delivered him (vv. 4–7). He continues with the benefits and demands of fearing God (vv. 8–14). Finally, the psalmist contrasts the protection God gives those who fear (revere) Him with the destruction that will ultimately come to the unrepentant wicked (vv. 15–22).
Psalm 34 is a profound expression of gratitude for God’s protection and care for those who trust Him. It also contains a section of wisdom (vv. 11–14) that is particularly enlightening, as it is the “wise” (those who live out their trust in God) who are called to give such thanks. The title of the psalm is linked to 1 Sam. 21:10–15, where David is miraculously delivered from danger by feigning madness in the presence of King Achish of Gath (1 Sam. 21:13, “he changed his behavior”). The name “Abimelech” in the psalm is likely a title or alternate name for the king of Gath. This was a narrow escape, and David does not take credit for it nor deny the importance of the faithful using their wits in desperate situations.
Begin by reading Psalm 34 aloud. Also, read 1 Samuel 21:10-15 and Philippians 4:4-6
Psalm 34 is a thanksgiving psalm and an acrostic poem, a unique literary form where the lines start with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. David, the author, opens by praising God and encouraging others to join him (vv. 1–3). He then praises God’s faithfulness, describing a time when the Lord delivered him (vv. 4–7). He continues with the benefits and demands of fearing God (vv. 8–14). Finally, the psalmist contrasts the protection God gives those who fear (revere) Him with the destruction that will ultimately come to the unrepentant wicked (vv. 15–22).
Psalm 34 is a profound expression of gratitude for God’s protection and care for those who trust Him. It also contains a section of wisdom (vv. 11–14) that is particularly enlightening, as it is the “wise” (those who live out their trust in God) who are called to give such thanks. The title of the psalm is linked to 1 Sam. 21:10–15, where David is miraculously delivered from danger by feigning madness in the presence of King Achish of Gath (1 Sam. 21:13, “he changed his behavior”). The name “Abimelech” in the psalm is likely a title or alternate name for the king of Gath. This was a narrow escape, and David does not take credit for it nor deny the importance of the faithful using their wits in desperate situations.
Begin by reading Psalm 34 aloud. Also, read 1 Samuel 21:10-15 and Philippians 4:4-6
Discussion Questions
1. How have you “tasted” and experienced God’s goodness in the past few weeks?
2. In what way is praising God a choice? If praising God is a choice, then what are we choosing between? We either praise God or do what?
3. Who is David talking to in Psalm 34? (vv. 3, 8-22) Read Phi. 4:6-8. How can you apply this verse in your life?
4. What does it mean to “fear the Lord”?
5. Why do you think corporate praise and worship is essential?
Challenge: Memorize Psalm 1 this summer. At the end of each group meeting, ask each member to recite the portion they have learned!
2. In what way is praising God a choice? If praising God is a choice, then what are we choosing between? We either praise God or do what?
3. Who is David talking to in Psalm 34? (vv. 3, 8-22) Read Phi. 4:6-8. How can you apply this verse in your life?
4. What does it mean to “fear the Lord”?
5. Why do you think corporate praise and worship is essential?
Challenge: Memorize Psalm 1 this summer. At the end of each group meeting, ask each member to recite the portion they have learned!
Posted in Sermon Notes