Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 34[a]

Of David, when he pretended to be crazy before Abimelech, who banished him so that he left.

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be in my mouth.
I[b] praise the Lord
    let the suffering listen and rejoice.
Magnify the Lord with me!
    Together let us lift his name up high!
I sought the Lord and he answered me.
    He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to God will shine;
    their faces are never ashamed.
This suffering person cried out:
    the Lord listened and saved him from every trouble.
On every side, the Lord’s messenger protects those who honor God; and he delivers them.
Taste and see how good the Lord is!
    The one who takes refuge in him is truly happy!
You who are the Lord’s holy ones, honor him,
    because those who honor him don’t lack a thing.
10 Even strong young lions go without and get hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, children, listen to me.
    Let me teach you how to honor the Lord:
12 Do you love life;
    do you relish the chance to enjoy good things?
13     Then you must keep your tongue from evil
        and keep your lips from speaking lies!
14 Turn away from evil! Do good!
    Seek peace and go after it!

15 The Lord’s eyes watch the righteous,
    his ears listen to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord’s face is set against those who do evil,
    to eliminate even the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry out, the Lord listens;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he saves those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous have many problems,
    but the Lord delivers them from every one.
20 He protects all their bones;
    not even one will be broken.
21 But just one problem will kill the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be held responsible.
22 The Lord saves his servants’ lives;
    all those who take refuge in him
    won’t be held responsible for anything.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:1 Ps 34 is an alphabetic acrostic poem; see the note at Pss 9–10.
  2. Psalm 34:2 Or my soul; also in 34:22

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rant?
    Why do the peoples rave uselessly?
The earth’s rulers take their stand;
    the leaders scheme together
    against the Lord and
    against his anointed one.
        “Come!” they say.
        “We will tear off their ropes
        and throw off their chains!”
The one who rules in heaven laughs;
    my Lord makes fun of them.
But then God speaks to them angrily;
    then he terrifies them with his fury:
        “I hereby appoint my king on Zion,
        my holy mountain!”

I will announce the Lord’s decision:
    He said to me, “You are my son,
        today I have become your father.
Just ask me,
    and I will make the nations your possession;
    the far corners of the earth will be your property.
You will smash them with an iron rod;
    you will shatter them like a pottery jar.”

10 So kings, wise up!
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord reverently—
    trembling, 12 kiss his feet[a]
        or else he will become angry,
        and your way will be destroyed
    because his anger ignites in an instant.

But all who take refuge in the Lord are truly happy!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:12 Correction; Heb uncertain; MT rejoice with trembling, kiss the son (but with son in Aram, not Heb)

Bible Gateway Recommends