Psalms 34

1 Of David, when he feigned madness in the presence of Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left. I will bless the Lord at all times, in my mouth will his praise be forever.

By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.

2 In the Lord will my heart make her boast, the humble will hear and be glad.

My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me and let us extol his name together.

Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let’s exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and, in answer, he saved me from all my terrors.

I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Look to him and you will be radiant, with faces unashamed.

They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.

6 Here is one who was crushed, but cried and was heard by the Lord, and brought safe out of every trouble.

This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The Lord’s angel encamps about those who fear him, and rescues them.

Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good, happy those who take refuge in him.

Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the Lord, all his people, for they who fear him lack nothing.

Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.

10 Even young lions may be poor and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

12 Which of you is desirous of life, loves many and happy days?

Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Then guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are towards the righteous, his ears are towards their cry for help.

Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.

16 The Lord sets his face against those who do evil, to root their memory out of the earth.

Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.

17 When righteous cry, they are heard by the Lord, and he saves them from all their distresses.

The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.

Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

19 Many misfortunes befall the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.

20 He guards all their bones, none are broken.

He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.

21 Misfortune will slay the ungodly; those who hate the righteous are doomed.

Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

22 The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be doomed who takes refuge in him.

Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.