Psalm 34

English Standard Version

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

^[a] Of David, when he ^(A)changed his behavior before ^(B)Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

34 I will bless the Lord ^(C)at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My soul ^(D)makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and ^(E)be glad.
³Oh, ^(F)magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

⁴I ^(G)sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are ^(H)radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶^(I)This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and ^(J)saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷^(K)The angel of the Lord ^(L)encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

⁸Oh, ^(M)taste and see that ^(N)the Lord is good!
    ^(O)Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
⁹Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
¹⁰^(P)The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who ^(Q)seek the Lord lack no good thing.

¹¹^(R)Come, O children, listen to me;
    ^(S)I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹²^(T)What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may ^(U)see good?
¹³^(V)Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from ^(W)speaking deceit.
¹⁴^(X)Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and ^(Y)pursue it.

¹⁵^(Z)The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    ^(AA)and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶^(AB)The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to ^(AC)cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷^(AD)When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸The Lord is near to ^(AE)the brokenhearted
    and saves ^(AF)the crushed in spirit.

¹⁹^(AG)Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    ^(AH)but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰He keeps all his bones;
    ^(AI)not one of them is broken.
²¹^(AJ)Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²²The Lord ^(AK)redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be ^(AL)condemned.

Footnotes

Psalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet

Psalm 34

New International Version

Psalm 34^[a]^[b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane^(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

¹I will extol the Lord at all times;^(B)
    his praise will always be on my lips.
²I will glory^(C) in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.^(D)
³Glorify the Lord^(E) with me;
    let us exalt^(F) his name together.

⁴I sought the Lord,^(G) and he answered me;
    he delivered^(H) me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are radiant;^(I)
    their faces are never covered with shame.^(J)
⁶This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.^(K)
⁷The angel of the Lord^(L) encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers^(M) them.

⁸Taste and see that the Lord is good;^(N)
    blessed is the one who takes refuge^(O) in him.
⁹Fear the Lord,^(P) you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.^(Q)
¹⁰The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.^(R)
¹¹Come, my children, listen^(S) to me;
    I will teach you^(T) the fear of the Lord.^(U)
¹²Whoever of you loves life^(V)
    and desires to see many good days,
¹³keep your tongue^(W) from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.^(X)
¹⁴Turn from evil and do good;^(Y)
    seek peace^(Z) and pursue it.

¹⁵The eyes of the Lord^(AA) are on the righteous,^(AB)
and his ears are attentive^(AC) to their cry;
¹⁶but the face of the Lord is against^(AD) those who do evil,^(AE)
to blot out their name^(AF) from the earth.

¹⁷The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears^(AG) them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸The Lord is close^(AH) to the brokenhearted^(AI)
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹The righteous person may have many troubles,^(AJ)
but the Lord delivers him from them all;^(AK)
²⁰he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.^(AL)

²¹Evil will slay the wicked;^(AM)
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²²The Lord will rescue^(AN) his servants;
no one who takes refuge^(AO) in him will be condemned.

Footnotes

Psalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Psalm 34:1 In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.

Matthew 28:16-20

English Standard Version

The Great Commission

¹⁶Now the eleven disciples ^(A)went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷And when they saw him they ^(B)worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, ^(C)“All authority ^(D)in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹^(E)Go therefore and ^(F)make disciples of ^(G)all nations, ^(H)baptizing them ^(I)in^[a] ^(J)the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them ^(K)to observe all that ^(L)I have commanded you. And behold, ^(M)I am with you always, to ^(N)the end of the age.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Matthew 28:19 Or into

Matthew 28:16-20

New International Version

The Great Commission

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.^(A) ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^(B) ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(C) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^(D) ²⁰and teaching^(E) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(F) always, to the very end of the age.”^(G)

Read full chapter

Romans 12

English Standard Version

A Living Sacrifice

12 ^(A)I appeal to you therefore, brothers,^[a] by the mercies of God, ^(B)to present your bodies ^(C)as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.^[b] ²^(D)Do not be conformed to this world,^[c] but be transformed by ^(E)the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may ^(F)discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.^[d]

Gifts of Grace

³For ^(G)by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you ^(H)not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, ^(I)each according to ^(J)the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For ^(K)as in one body we have many members,^[e] and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵so we, ^(L)though many, ^(M)are one body in Christ, and individually ^(N)members one of another. ⁶^(O)Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if ^(P)prophecy, ^(Q)in proportion to our faith; ⁷if ^(R)service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; ^(S)the one who leads,^[f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with ^(T)cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

⁹^(U)Let love be genuine. ^(V)Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰^(W)Love one another with brotherly affection. ^(X)Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not be slothful in zeal, ^(Y)be fervent in spirit,^[g] ^(Z)serve the Lord. ¹²^(AA)Rejoice in hope, ^(AB)be patient in tribulation, ^(AC)be constant in prayer. ¹³^(AD)Contribute to the needs of the saints and ^(AE)seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴^(AF)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵^(AG)Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶^(AH)Live in harmony with one another. ^(AI)Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.^[h] ^(AJ)Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷^(AK)Repay no one evil for evil, but ^(AL)give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, ^(AM)live peaceably with all. ¹⁹Beloved, ^(AN)never avenge yourselves, but leave it^[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, ^(AO)“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰To the contrary, ^(AP)“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes

Romans 12:1 Or brothers and sisters
Romans 12:1 Or your rational service
Romans 12:2 Greek age
Romans 12:2 Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God
Romans 12:4 Greek parts; also verse 5
Romans 12:8 Or gives aid
Romans 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit
Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
Romans 12:19 Greek give place

Romans 12

New International Version

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform^(C) to the pattern of this world,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(F)—his good, pleasing^(G) and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³For by the grace given me^(H) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,^(I) ⁵so in Christ we, though many, form one body,^(J) and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts,^(K) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,^(L) then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith;^(M) ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;^(N) ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(O) if it is giving, then give generously;^(P) if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹Love must be sincere.^(Q) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^(R) ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love.^(S) Honor one another above yourselves.^(T) ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(U) serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope,^(V) patient in affliction,^(W) faithful in prayer.^(X) ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(Y) Practice hospitality.^(Z)

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you;^(AA) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^(AB) ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another.^(AC) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.^(AD)

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(AE) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^(AF) ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^(AG) ¹⁹Do not take revenge,^(AH) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d]^(AI) says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[e]^(AJ)

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes

Romans 12:6 Or the
Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others
Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

English Standard Version (ESV)

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 34

English Standard Version

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

^[a] Of David, when he ^(A)changed his behavior before ^(B)Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

Footnotes

Cross references

Psalm 34

New International Version

Psalm 34^[a]^[b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane^(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

Footnotes

Cross references

Matthew 28:16-20

English Standard Version

The Great Commission

Footnotes

Cross references

Matthew 28:16-20

New International Version

The Great Commission

Cross references

Romans 12

English Standard Version

A Living Sacrifice

Gifts of Grace

Marks of the True Christian

Footnotes

Cross references

Romans 12

New International Version

A Living Sacrifice

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

Love in Action

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Psalm 34 English Standard Version

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

[a] Of David, when he (A)changed his behavior before (B)Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

Footnotes

Cross references

Psalm 34 New International Version

Psalm 34[a][b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

Footnotes

Cross references

Matthew 28:16-20 English Standard Version

The Great Commission

Footnotes

Cross references

Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version

The Great Commission

Cross references

Romans 12 English Standard Version

A Living Sacrifice

Gifts of Grace

Marks of the True Christian

Footnotes

Cross references

Romans 12 New International Version

A Living Sacrifice

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

Love in Action

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Psalm 34

English Standard Version

^[a] Of David, when he ^(A)changed his behavior before ^(B)Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

Psalm 34

New International Version

Psalm 34^[a]^[b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane^(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

Matthew 28:16-20

English Standard Version

Matthew 28:16-20

New International Version

Romans 12

English Standard Version

Romans 12

New International Version