Psalm 34

The Goodness of God is Greater Than the Fear of Man

Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech,
so that he drove him out, and he went away.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together! [1]

Introduction

Like many of the psalms, Psalm 34 shows us the grace of God given to sinful humanity. Through this psalm we will see the result of a repentant heart that has received forgiveness. We see David’s response to forgiveness in two ways. First, we’re invited to rejoice in the Lord with him. Second, we’re instructed to learn from his mistakes.

Historical Context

The historical context of psalm 34 is in the superscription. The superscription leads us to 1 Samuel 21:10–15 for the biblical context. David has been anointed the future king of Israel. Saul, the current king, is “not a fan” of David. On multiple occasions Saul tries either to have David killed, or kill David himself. David, in fear of Saul, flees to Gath, in the country of the Philistines. The servants of the king of Gath recognize David and the songs they sing about him: ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David has killed his tens of thousands’ (1 Sam. 21:11). Then David, in fear of Achish, king of Gath, pretends to be insane.

Structure

Psalm 34 is an acrostic. Each verse beginning with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This is common in Hebrew poetry (Psalms 9; 10; 25; 37; 111; 112; 119; and 145). The second half of the psalm takes the form of “wisdom writing.” The acrostic would help the Israelites memorize the psalm .

The psalm is broken into two main sections:
1. Praise — Rejoice with me (1–10)
2. Instruction — Learn from me (11–22)

Theological Analysis & Implications

The first of the two sections in Psalm 34 deal with worshiping God. Immediately, in verse 1 through 3, before he gives any reason, David declares that God is worthy of worship. David uses 3 personal verbs (I will bless; His praise; my soul boasts) of worship and then gives an invitation for the people to join him in worship. The implication is that worship is both personal and corporate.

In verses 4 and 6, David sought/cried to the Lord. In verses 5 and 7, God not only answered and delivered him from his fears (the feeling of being afraid) and troubles (the physical things that David was afraid of), He gives him the blessing of His presence. “Radiant” and “never be ashamed” (v. 5) are references to the blessing of The Garden Eden [2]. The implication is that God hears us and delivers us.

Verses 8 through 10 are the turning point of this psalm. David concludes his initial invitation to worship the Lord with a similar invitation to join in experiencing God’s goodness (“taste and see that the Lord is good”). David then turns our attention to his instructions on how we can share in God’s goodness: by finding our refuge in Him. This is a link to Psalm 2 which has the same implication, put your trust in Jesus. Because those who are in Christ lack nothing.

In Verses 11 through 14, David continues his tone of instruction. Remember the context of the Psalm, David lied because he was afraid of what Abimelech might do. David’s focus of instruction is on fearing the Lord. The fear of the Lord leads us to say (words) and do (actions) things that are pleasing to Him.

As David begins to close this psalm, he offers an encouraging reminder in verses 15 through 18; God is attentive to our needs [“eyes/ears” (v. 15), “cry for help” / “hears and delivers” (v. 17),” “near to” / “saves” (v. 18), “delivers” (v. 19b)] and provides help. Verse 19a reminds us that we live in a broken world. Until Christ’s return, “afflictions of the righteous” will be many. One implication of these verses is that God is not safe, but He is good.

Verses 19 and 20 also have a messianic implication. Jesus, who is our righteousness, suffered “many afflictions.” In John’s Gospel he records the fulfillment of the prophecy in this psalm: “Not one of his bones will be broken” (19:36).

David ends Psalm 34 with a familiar imagery of paths found throughout the Psalms. Following the messianic verses, David is giving us the Gospel in the Old Testament — Those who trust is in the Lord will be redeemed. The wicked (whose trust is in themselves) will be condemned.

Application for Corporate Worship

The implications found throughout Psalm 34 also provide application for both personal and corporate worship. When should we worship? “at all times,” continually in my mouth” (v. 1). Why should we seek the Lord and cry out to Him? Because “He heard me” (v. 6) and “answered me” (v. 4). How should we worship Him? “Magnify the Lord . . . let us exalt his name together!” (v. 3).

Shane and Shane have put this psalm to a contemporary feel and tune that gives us, as the Church, an opportunity to “magnify the Lord” in corporate worship while using the same language of psalm 34.

[1] All scriptures quoted from the English Standard Version.

[2] The blessing of Eden was Adam and Eve being in face to face communion with God.