Praying the Psalms: Psalm 34

Psalm 34

A Psalm of David When He Pretended Madness Before Abimelech, Who Drove Him Away, and He Departed.

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

MY PRAYER

Father, I praise Your name for You are worthy!
I invite others to worship You with me;
Together we shall gather and honor You.

You hear our pleas, O God of salvation!
You answer in the time of need with deliverance.

Those who seek You find that You are good in every way.
You bless those who fear You.
You provide for those who love You.

I know, dear God, that life, hope, and strength are found in You and Your ways.
Those who avoid evil and pursue righteousness and peace shall prosper.

Thank You, LORD, for hearing my cries.
You exalt the humble and slay the proud.
Those who trust in You shall not be ashamed!
Amen.