Psalms 34

1 A psalm of David concerning the time he pretended to be mad in front of Abimelech who then sent him away. I will always bless the Lord; my mouth will continually praise him.

David’s. When he disguised his sanity before Abimelech, —who dismissed him, and he departed. [An Alphabetical Psalm.] Let me bless Yahweh at all times, Continually be his praise in my mouth.

2 From the bottom of my heart I am proud of the Lord; those who are humble will hear and be happy.

In Yahweh, boasteth my soul, The patient oppressed-ones shall hear and be glad.

3 Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.

Ascribe ye greatness unto Yahweh with me, and let us exalt his Name together.

4 I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He set me free from all my fears.

I enquired of Yahweh, and he hath answered me, And, out of all my terrors, hath he rescued me.

5 The faces of those who look to him will shine with joy; they will never be downcast with shame.

They looked unto him and were radiant, And, as for their faces, let them not be abashed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my troubles.

This, oppressed one cried, and, Yahweh, heard—and, out of all his distresses, saved him.

7 The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.

The messenger of Yahweh encampeth around them who revere him, Thus hath he delivered them.

8 Taste, and you will see that the Lord is good! How happy are those who trust in his protection!

Oh taste and see, that good is Yahweh, —How happy the man who seeketh refuge in him!

9 Show your reverence for the Lord, you who are his holy people, for those who respect him have everything they need.

Revere Yahweh, ye his holy ones, For there is no want to them who revere him.

10 Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.

Young lions, have come short, and suffered hunger, but, they who seek Yahweh, shall not lack any good thing.

11 Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.

Come, ye children! hearken unto me, The reverence of Yahweh, will I teach you.

12 Who of you wants to live a long and happy life?

Who is the man that desireth life, Loving days, that he may see good?

13 Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.

Keep thy tongue from wickedness, And thy lips from speaking deceit:

14 Reject what is evil, do what is good. Look for peace, and work to make it a reality.

Depart from wickedness and do good, Aim at well-being, and pursue it.

15 The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.

The eyes of Yahweh, are towards the righteous, And, his ears, towards their cry for help:

16 The Lord sets himself against those who do evil. He will wipe out even the memory of them from the earth.

the face of Yahweh, is against such as do wickedness, To cut off, from the earth, their memory.

17 But when his people call out for help, he hears them and rescues them from all their troubles.

They made outcry, and Yahweh heard, And, out of all their straits, hath he rescued them.

18 The Lord is close beside those who are broken-hearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.

Near is Yahweh, to the broken in heart, And, the crushed in spirit, will he save.

19 Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.

Many are the misfortunes of the righteous, But, out of them all, doth Yahweh rescue him.

20 He keeps them safe—not a single one of their bones will be broken.

Keeping all his bones, Not, one from among them, is broken.

21 Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.

Misfortune shall be the death of the lawless one, And, the haters of the righteous man, shall be held guilty.

22 The Lord saves the lives of his servants. Those who trust in his protection will not suffer for their wrongdoings.

Yahweh ransometh the soul of his servants, And none shall be held guilty, who seek refuge in him.