Psalms 34 - Printer Friendly

What does Psalms 34 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Psalm 34 opens with something David expresses several times: a vow to constantly praise and honor God (Psalm 61:8; 145:1–2). David's comment about his "boast" being in God relates to Paul's similar references in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 6:14). David's song appeals to others to join him in this worship (Psalm 34:1–3).

The preface to this psalm refers to David escaping from Abimelech by altering his behavior. This event is recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10–15. There, facing capture by the Philistines, David pretended to be insane. In that culture, those suffering insanity were thought to either be cursed by the gods, or specially touched with divine messages. In either case, most people wanted no contact, at all, with such people. What could have become a disaster for David ended in his safety. In this psalm, David gives thanks to God for hearing his prayers, and for protecting him (Psalm 34:4–7).

After thanking God for rescue, David turns to appeal to others to trust in the Lord. To "taste" means something more than a superficial experience. Those who fully engage in God's will find that He is powerful and merciful. As a former shepherd, David would have been familiar with lions, and knew that even those powerful creatures would suffer without food and shelter. David fully recognizes that faith in God does not make a person immune to hardship (Psalm 34:19). Still, he notes that God provides all that His people truly need (Psalm 34:8–10).

The next passage of the psalm is like the words of Solomon: promoting godly wisdom and the relative safety it provides (Proverbs 1:7–8). Obedience to God is not a magical defense against all harm (Psalm 34:19), but it keeps a person away from unnecessary consequences. Those who want the best outcomes in life are wise to pursue godliness and goodness, rather than sin (Psalm 34:11–14).

In keeping with those ideas, David then notes that God is aware of the struggles of His people. He is also aware of the sins of the wicked. Where God's attention for those who love Him is focused on compassion and mercy, His attention to those who are evil is centered on judgment (Psalm 34:15–18).

In the final section of this psalm, David both acknowledges the reality of suffering and the ultimate rescue provided by God. God's rescue of His people is not always in a physical sense (Hebrews 11:13–16; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; John 16:1–4, 33), but He promises ultimate salvation (John 10:28) to those who follow Him (Psalm 34:19–22).

Another interesting comment in this last passage is the reference to broken bones. Verse 20 mentions God preventing the bones of the righteous from being broken. In immediate context, this is clearly hyperbole: an exaggeration for effect. David's main point is that God is infinitely capable of protecting His people. However, this statement also serves as a prophecy about the death of the Messiah. Passover lambs were to be prepared without breaking the bones (Exodus 12:46), and Jesus was crucified without suffering any such injury (John 19:33–37). Paul notes that Jesus serves as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb type (1 Corinthians 5:7)—this comment by David is part of that foreshadowing.

Psalm 34:1–7 expresses David's determination to extoll God constantly. He invites the humble to hear his praise and join him in magnifying the Lord. God answered David's prayer for deliverance; this is probably about David's escape from the Philistine king, Abimelech (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Thanks to this and other experiences, David is confident the Lord protects and delivers all who fear Him.

Psalm 34:8–14 invites others to experience the Lord's goodness. David has just praised the Lord for delivering him from the Philistines at Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Now, he celebrates what God does for those who fear Him: He gives His people happiness; He protects them; He provides bountifully for them; and He grants them long life.

Psalm 34:15–22 contrasts what the Lord does for those who fear Him against what happens to the wicked. God watches over the righteous and answers their cry for help. He delivers the righteous from their troubles and draws near to them. He protects the righteous and redeems them. On the other hand, He opposes the wicked and condemns them. While David certainly experienced victories in his life, he also understood that God's love and provision have an eternal perspective (Romans 8:28–30). Verse 20 includes a reference which the Gospel of John ties to Jesus' role as Messiah.

Chapter Summary:

David praises the Lord for delivering him from the Philistines, and he invites others to join him in singing joyfully to the Lord. He extols the virtue of fearing the Lord and remembering His goodness. He encourages the Lord's people to respect God and offers wisdom leading to a long and blessed life. At the end of this psalm David emphasizes the distinction the Lord draws between the wicked and the righteous. He cares for the righteous and will not condemn them, but He condemns the wicked.

Chapter Context:

David composed this psalm after he escaped from the Philistines at Gath. He accomplished this by feigning insanity and later sheltered in the cave of Adullum. This experience is recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10—22:1. Like Psalm 25, this is an acrostic psalm. Every verse except the final one begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. First Peter 2:3 alludes to the psalm's eighth verse, and 1 Peter 3:10–12 quotes verses 12–16 of Psalm 34. John 19:36 refers to Psalm 34:20.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

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