Psalms 34

1 [A Psalm] of David; when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless Jehovah at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

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

2 My soul shall make its boast in Jehovah: the meek shall hear, and rejoice.

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

3 Magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt his name together.

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

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

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

5 They looked unto him, and were enlightened, and their faces were not confounded.

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

6 This afflicted one called, and Jehovah heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

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

7 The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

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

8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him!

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

9 Fear Jehovah, ye his saints; for there is no want to them that fear him.

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

10 The young lions are in need and suffer hunger; but they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good.

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

11 Come, ye sons, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah.

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

12 What man is he that desireth life, [and] loveth days, that he may see good?

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

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile;

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 Jehovah are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their cry;

The LORD’s eyes are towards the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.

16 The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth:

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

17 [The righteous] cry, and Jehovah heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

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

18 Jehovah is nigh to those that are of a broken heart, and saveth them that are of a contrite spirit.

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

19 Many are the adversities of the righteous, but Jehovah delivereth him out of them all:

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

20 He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken.

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

21 Evil shall destroy the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall bear their guilt.

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

22 Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; and none of them that trust in him shall bear guilt.

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