Psalms 34

1 A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour 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.

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.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear of it, and be glad.

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

3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

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

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

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

5 They looked to him, and were shining: and their faces were not ashamed.

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

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

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

7 The angel of the LORD encampeth around them that fear him, and delivereth them.

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

8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

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

9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no lack to them that fear him.

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

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

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

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

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

17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

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

18 The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.

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

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

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

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

He guards all their bones, none are broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

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

22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

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