Psalms 34

1 [A Psalm] of David, when he changed his countenance before Abimelech; and he let him go, and he departed. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be continually 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 My soul shall boast herself in the Lord: let the meek hear, and rejoice.

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

3 Magnify you the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

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

4 I sought the Lord diligently, and he listened to me, and delivered me from all my sojournings.

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

5 Draw near to him, and be enlightened: and your faces shall not [by any means] be ashamed.

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

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord listened to him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions.

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

7 The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear him, and will deliver them.

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

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good: 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 lack to them that fear him.

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

10 The rich have become poor and hungry: but they that seek the Lord diligently shall not lack any good thing. (Pause)

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

11 Come, you children, hear 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 What man is there that desires life, loving to see good days?

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

13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile.

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

14 Turn away 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 over the righteous, and his ears [are open] to their prayer:

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

16 but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to destroy their memorial from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord listened to them,

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

17 and delivered them out of all their afflictions.

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

18 The Lord is near to them that are of a contrite heart; and will save the lowly 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 righteous: but out of them all Lord will deliver them.

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

20 He keeps all 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 sinners is evil: and they that hate righteousness will go wrong.

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 that hope in him shall go wrong.

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