There are times in our lives when, for one reason or another, we have taken matters into our own hands instead of waiting for the Lord to guide us. David experienced that, and likely, when he returned to the cave of Adullam after being willing to link himself with the Philistines, he probably wondered, “What in the world is wrong with me? What was I thinking about by going down to Abimelech (Achish)!” Thankfully, the Lord knows our frailty and every weakness. His grace and mercy are without limit. So, David wrote of the goodness of the Lord in this psalm, expressing his gratitude to God for deliverance. Then, he realized others could benefit if he applied his experience and what he learned to them.
We need to praise the Lord in both good and bad times. David said he would bless the Lord at “all times,” which all the people of God should learn to do. Our attitude toward God and the events in our lives is a very important part of our testimony as believers. In this setting, the introduction to the psalm is given, and others are invited to join together in praise to the Lord. One thing defining man’s purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. In all life’s experiences, there are reasons to praise God when we are conscious of His presence.
To “magnify” the Lord, or anything else, does not change the object of our attention. It enlarges our view and understanding of that object. It is when we magnify the Lord that we are moved to declare God's greatness in praise. To “exalt” the Lord’s name is to lift it high above all other names, “That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
There is also, in this psalm, a testimony to deliverance, which is a great cause for thanksgiving. When God delivers us, there is a reality in our praise to Him for answered prayer. That, in turn, leads to a commitment to ongoing praise that glorifies God and encourages those who are afflicted. God answers prayer, and there is joy in those who look to Him and know they cannot deliver themselves to secure life, safety, and well- being. When we learn to depend on the Lord, there is “radiant” joy. Those who fear the Lord don’t need to fear anything else. The radiant spirit in those who practice the presence of God is evident because their trust in Him relieves tension, uncertainty, and fear. We can then see things as they are in God’s sight.
Assurance of blessing comes when we know the “angel of the Lord” is with us. The awareness of the Lord's presence produces reverence toward Him, trust in Him, and a commitment to seek Him, and then we find all our needs supplied by Him. God provides our security with the authority and power from heaven, and the “angel” supplies. Truly, the Lord blesses His people, but active participation is also required of us. He delivers us from fear, saves us from our troubles, guards us, shows us goodness, supplies our needs, listens to us, and has redeemed us. Our part in this is to seek Him, call upon Him, trust Him, fear Him, tell the truth, turn away from evil, do good, seek peace, be humble, and serve Him from our hearts.
To “taste and see” does not mean checking this out to see if it's okay or if you like it. Instead, it means, “Try this. It’s good, and I know you will like it.” This is our daily experience with the Lord. To fear the Lord involves reverential respect, honoring Him, and showing proper reverence to Him through our attitude, actions, and worship. To “taste… see… fear… come… keep… and turn” is the result of following the instructions of a wise teacher.
When we are willing to listen, we learn from a wise teacher. We learn what is essential and what is not. We learn when to keep silent and when to speak because our relationship with God is heard and, to a significant degree, shown from our mouths. These admonitions make us aware that the Lord is involved in our lives as His children. He gives support to the righteous and warns those who do evil. The Lord hears the call for help when the righteous call on His name. He is near to those who are crushed in their spirit. He is there to impart the grace and help needed. A broken heart and a contrite spirit are sacrifices the Lord will accept.
God’s children are not exempt from troubles. Afflictions are a part of the human experience here in the world. However, the Lord can deliver the righteous from them so they do not break us nor conquer our spirit. God knows our every need. We need spiritual stamina if we are called upon to live in poverty and hardship. Spiritual nourishment is our greatest need. When I think I have needs, I should ask myself, “Is this really a need? Will this be good for me? Is this the best time for this need to be met?” We need to know our Lord's presence in every situation. Peace doesn’t come to us when we win arguments.
The Lord opposes those who do evil. There will be no deliverance from the result that comes upon those who choose to do what they know is wrong. They will be held guilty for their hatred and opposition to God’s people. The righteous do not need to vindicate themselves because the Lord holds the wicked accountable for their antagonism to the righteous and deals with them as condemned. There is salvation for the righteous and judgment for the wicked. The Lord redeems those who put their trust in Him. Payday comes someday, and those who trust Him now will not be desolate.
PSALM 34. God cares – the psalm of the new birth For many generations, believers have loved this psalm because it expresses their testimony of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord. Salvation continually draws thanksgiving and praise from our hearts to the Lord. We will never be able to praise Him adequately. The believer boasts only in the Lord because He did all the saving. We do not enjoy our salvation in isolation but call on the Lord’s people to rejoice and exalt the name of the Lord who sought us.
This salvation is available to all who look to Christ. He hears us, saves us, and keeps us. We then long to share Him with others, but each must taste and see for himself. The invitation goes out to the unbelievers to turn from sin to God. He saves, keeps, and instructs. To enjoy a long and full life, we need:
- A controlled tongue – free from deceit and evil, v.13.
- A separated walk – from sin to righteousness, v.14.
- A peaceful attitude - v. 14.
The believer has the privilege of instant access to the Lord, v.15. He doesn’t promise to deliver us from troubles, but out of troubles. He resists the proud but draws near to the broken and contrite ones. There will be affliction, but only in this life. We are saved, kept, and satisfied forever.
v. 1-10. GRATITUDE FOR DELIVERANCE 1-3. An introduction and an invitation to others to join in praise to the Lord; this is the chief purpose of believers – to glorify God. Magnify indicates a declaration of how great God is. 4-10. Many of God’s blessings require our active participation.
- He will deliver us from fear, v.4 – we seek Him, v.4,10
- He saves us from our troubles, v.6 – we cry out to Him, v.6, 17
- He guards and delivers us, v.7 – we fear Him, v.7, 9
- He shows us goodness, v.8 – we trust Him, v.8
- He supplies our needs, v.9 – we fear Him, v.9
- He listens when we talk to Him, v.15 – we refrain from lying, v.13
- He redeems us, v.22 – we turn from evil, do good, seek peace, v.14; we are humble, v.18; we serve Him, v.22 When we fear the Lord, v.9, we need not fear others, v.4.
Their faces were not ashamed (radiant) Angel of the Lord – the presence of God Himself [Jud. 6:12] Taste and see – an invitation, not a test. Obedience to the Lord reveals to us His goodness and kindness. Trust is appropriate dependence. Fear the Lord – be in awe of His greatness; respect, honor, reverence, worship. Lack no good thing – needs are met in unexpected ways.
- Is there really a need?
- Is this good for me?
- Is this the best time to have what I desire? He wants us to learn that we need Him.
v. 11-22. APPLICATION OF HIS EXPERIENCE TO OTHERS 11-14. Love and reverence for the Lord are connected with obedience. The instruction of a father is very practical. Watch your tongue. Peace takes effort. One cannot be argumentative and contentious if he wants peace. We have to work each day to live in peace. 15-17. God’s involvement in human life means support for the righteous and a threat to evildoers. 18-19. We are not always able to escape the troubles that wear us down. God promises to be near in those situations and to deliver us from them. 20-22. This is a prophecy about Christ's crucifixion. No bone was broken. By contrast, evil shall slay the wicked, but the ones who trust the Lord are secure and safe.
Verse by verse in Ps. 34. v. 1. “Changed his behavior.” Achish [1Sam.21:10] either had two names, or Abimelech was a name for kings of Gath like Pharaoh is to Egypt or Caesar is to Rome. The name means royal father. To be despised, he acted as he did and escaped to the cave of Adullam. The sense of God’s goodness and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he composed this psalm that begins with praises to God continually.
v.2. “My soul shall make her boast”: Not in men or outward enjoyment, nor in righteous works, but in the Lord; in the wisdom, righteousness, redemption, and salvation we receive through the Lord Jesus. Praise for communion with Him with the soul, not the tongue. “The humble shall hear”: Of deliverance from enemies; of his blessing and praising the Lord. “Be glad, rejoice with them that rejoice; be encouraged that God can do the same thing for them. v. 3. “O magnify the Lord”: ascribe greatness to God. “Exalt His name”: mention His glorious perfections and work. Give praise to Him, glorify Him as a company of people. v. 4. “I sought the Lord”: private prayer and supplication in the mind; earnestly, with the whole heart. The Lord hears the silent groans. “Delivered me”: fears from within because of sin; fears from without because of pressures. v. 5. “Looked…lightened”: looked up to God – joy, peace, and comfort were obvious. Faith looks to Christ and goes to Christ. “Not ashamed”: they received what they wanted and needed. v. 6. “This poor man cried”: he singled himself out before God. “The Lord heard…saved him”: saves from sin, its power, its presence. v. 7. “Angel of the Lord encamps”: either the Lord Himself or a designated one to guard, protect, and minister. “Delivereth them”: preserved from being seized and saved from harm. v. 8. “O taste and see”: The Lord is, in Himself, perfect – and communicates good to us. He is good in His grace and mercy; He has good designs for His people; He has given good promises; He has bestowed good gifts; He has given a good redemption; He doesn’t just give a taste of goodness. v. 9. “O fear the Lord”: we have been sanctified by the Spirit. Give Him reverence, respect, and honor. “No want”: goodness now and in the future; grace and glory given; promises in this life and in the one to come. v.10. “Young lions”: even the rich are needy; the famous know famine in the soul. “Seek the Lord”: instruction from Him; to be taught by Him. “Not want”: God has promised, and God provides for their good. v.11. “Come ye children”: children of God; modest and humble in their own eyes. “Hearken”: as a father gives good advice. “I will teach you”: He can’t give it; he can only teach it. The effects are felt by those who learn the fear of the Lord. v. 12. “Desires life”: a healthful life; a life free from remorse; a life of communion with Christ; a life of holiness. “Loveth many days”: good days, days of enjoying God’s presence, days of a long eternity with God. “So good”: These can be enjoyed now in measure and in anticipation of future blessings. v.13. “Keep thy tongue”: evil is always near our tongue. “Thy lips”: flattering lips and deceitful words with bad objectives. v. 14. “Depart from evil”: shun it, walk away from it, avoid it. “Do good”: God’s people are to be zealous of good works. “Seek peace”: at home, in the assembly, in the neighborhood, in the nation. v. 15. “Eyes of the Lord”: to watch over, protect, supply, love, find delight in – be well-pleasing in His sight. “His ears”: there will be distress, afflictions, and deep longing that only God can understand. v. 16. “Face of the Lord”: against sin; His wrath is revealed; His anger is expressed. “To cut off”: sin is a reproach and is contemptible to God; it is infamous. v. 17. “Righteous cry”: in contrast to the evil, the Lord hears and delivers from Satan evil thoughts and reproaches. v. 18. “Broken heart”: in a special way, He shows love and grace and binds up the brokenhearted. He doesn’t bruise but heals. “Contrite spirit”: repentance of sin and being melted by God’s love and grace – He saves us. v. 19. “Afflictions”: The Lord Jesus is the perfect example here. “Delivered”: condemnation is past. v. 20. “Keeps his bones”: this is true literally of the Lord Jesus. Many believers have had their bones broken. v. 21. “Slay the wicked”: the evil they designed shall fall on them (Haaman). “Desolate”: punished with everlasting destruction. v. 22. “Redeems”: a great price has been paid. Forgiveness of sin and all that it entails is assured. “None of them”: those He has redeemed are assured of being with Him.