Psalms 34

1 To David, when he changed his appearance in the sight of Abimelech, and so he dismissed him, and he went away. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be ever in my mouth.

“A psalm of David, when he feigned himself mad before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.” I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 In the Lord, my soul will be praised. May the meek listen and rejoice.

In the LORD doth my soul boast; Let the afflicted hear, and rejoice!

3 Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his name in itself.

O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, and he carried me away from all my tribulations.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

5 Approach him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be confounded.

Look up to him, and ye shall have light; Your faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, and he saved him from all his tribulations.

This afflicted man cried, and the LORD heard, And saved him from all his troubles.

7 The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, and he will rescue them.

The angels of the LORD encamp around those who fear him, And deliver them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. Blessed is the man who hopes in him.

O taste, and see how good is the LORD! Happy the man who trusteth in him!

9 Fear the Lord, all you his saints. For there is no destitution for those who fear him.

O fear the LORD, ye his servants! For to those who fear him there shall be no want.

10 The rich have been needy and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing.

Young lions want, and suffer hunger; But they who fear the LORD want no good thing.

11 Come forward, sons. Listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Come, ye children, hearken to me! I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Which is the man who wills life, who chooses to see good days?

Who is he that loveth life, And desireth many days, in which he may see good?

13 Prohibit your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Guard well thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile!

14 Turn away from evil, and do good. Inquire about peace, and pursue it.

Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it!

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and his ears are with their prayers.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And his ears are open to their cry.

16 But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, to perish the remembrance of them from the earth.

But the face of the LORD is against evil-doers, To cut off their remembrance from the earth.

17 The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, and he freed them from all their tribulations.

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, And delivereth them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, and he will save the humble in spirit.

The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the just, but from them all the Lord will free them.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the LORD delivereth him from them all.

20 The Lord preserves all of their bones, not one of them shall be broken.

He guardeth all his bones; Not one of them shall be broken.

21 The death of a sinner is very harmful, and those who hate the just will fare badly.

Calamity destroyeth the wicked, And they who hate the righteous suffer for it.

22 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, and none of those who hope in him will fare badly.

The LORD redeemeth the life of his servants, And none that put their trust in him will suffer for it.