Read
(Written by David when he pretended to be crazy in front of Abimelech, so that Abimelech would send him away, and David could leave.)
Honor the Lord
1 I will always praise the Lord.
2With all my heart,
I will praise the Lord.
Let all who are helpless,
listen and be glad.
3Honor the Lord with me!
Celebrate his great name.
4I asked the Lord for help,
and he saved me
from all my fears.
5Keep your eyes on the Lord!
You will shine like the sun
and never blush with shame.
6I was a nobody, but I prayed,
and the Lord saved me
from all my troubles.
7If you honor the Lord,
his angel will protect you.
8 Discover for yourself
that the Lord is kind.
Come to him for protection,
and you will be glad.
9Honor the Lord!
You are his special people.
No one who honors the Lord
will ever be in need.
10Young lions may go hungry
or even starve,
but if you trust the Lord,
you will never miss out
on anything good.
11Come, my children, listen
as I teach you
to respect the Lord.
12 Do you want to live
and enjoy a long life?
13Then don't say cruel things
and don't tell lies.
14Do good instead of evil
and try to live at peace.
15If you obey the Lord,
he will watch over you
and answer your prayers.
16But God despises evil people,
and he will wipe them all
from the earth,
till they are forgotten.
17When his people pray for help,
he listens and rescues them
from their troubles.
18The Lord is there to rescue
all
who are discouraged
and have given up hope.
19The Lord's people
may suffer a lot,
but he will always
bring them safely through.
20 Not one of their bones
will ever be broken.
21Wicked people are killed
by their own evil deeds,
and if you hate God's people
you will be punished.
22The Lord saves the lives
of his servants.
Run to him for protection,
and you won't be punished.
Reflect
Psalm 34 is a wonderful salvation sermon song. In the original Hebrew text it’s arranged as an acrostic with all but the last verse beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Song (v.1-3). David wrote this psalm shortly after feigning insanity before Achish the Philistine king of Gath (cf. 1 Samuel 21). He’s singing about his deliverance, thankful for God’s protection and provision, stating his resolve to worship God (v.1), testifying about his salvation (v.2), and encouraging others to worship God (v.3).
Story (v.4-6). The story in 1 Samuel 21 is about fear and failure, lying and lunacy. It’s one of the lowest, yet pivotal points in David’s life. He learns that deliverance can neither be bought or wrought. And that God delivers him from danger (v.4) when he stops being preoccupied with himself and starts being occupied with God (v.5-6).
Subject (v.7). David’s experience in the Philistine court, and his subsequent escape, is an object lesson for others. Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Summons (v.8-11). Safe in the cave of Adullam (cf. 1 Samuel 22:1) David gathers his men around him and calls on them to do four things: taste (v.8), fear (v.9), seek (v.10), and listen to the Lord (v.11).
Sermon (v.12-20). To enjoy a long life (v.12) we must watch what we say and what we do (v.13-14). But a long life is subject to God’s grace. He’s looking out for us. He sees us (v.15a), saves us (v.15b, 16-19), and safeguards us (v.20).
Summary (v.21-22). David identifies two great salvation truths – there will be a day of reckoning for sinners (v.21) and a day of redemption for saints (v.22).
God is the Deliverer! He’s the One who seeks and saves the lost – the One who lifts us up when we are down!
Respond
Lord, thank you for keeping your eye on me, for hearing my every moan and groan. Salvation belongs to You. Help me to taste and see that You are good! Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners