Psalm-34-Special-Edition
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like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction to Psalm 34:
Psalm 34 is a song of profound gratitude,
Divine protection, and spiritual instruction written by David. According to the
title in Verse 1, it was composed after David feigned madness before Abimelech
(Achish, king of
The Psalm operates on two deep levels. First, it is a personal testimony of a servant who cried out in desperate trouble and he was heard. Second, it transforms into a teaching tool of ‘wisdom’ ‘instruction’ inviting all who are ‘afflicted’, ‘humble’, or ‘broken-hearted’ to take refuge in יְהוָה. It serves as an enduring promise that no matter how severe the trials of the righteous may be, יְהוָה remains near to the suffering and ultimately redeems those who trust in Him!
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Let us now read Psalm 34, below this chapter there is my Commentary:
1. “A Psalm of David; when he changed his demeanour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. 2. I will bless יְהוָה - the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 3. My soul shall glory in יְהוָה; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 4. O magnify יְהוָה with me, and let us exalt His name together. 5. I sought יְהוָה, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 6. They looked unto Him, and were radiant; and their faces shall never be abashed. 7. This poor man cried, and יְהוָה heard, and saved him out of all his troubles. 8. The angel of יְהוָה encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. 9. O consider and see that יְהוָה is good; happy is the man that taketh refuge in Him. 10. O fear יְהוָה, ye His holy ones; for there is no want to them that fear Him. 11. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they that seek יְהוָה want not any good thing. 12. Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of יְהוָה. 13. Who is the man that desireth life, and loveth days, that he may see good therein? 14. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 15. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 16. The eyes of יְהוָה are toward the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry, 17. the face of יְהוָה is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 18. They cried, and יְהוָה heard, and delivered them out of all their troubles. 19. יְהוָה is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit. 20. Many are the ills of the righteous, but יְהוָה delivereth him out of all their troubles. 21. He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken. 22. Evil shall kill the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall be held guilty. 23. יְהוָה redeemeth the soul of His servants; and none of them that take refuge in Him shall be desolate”.
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Historical Context & Title (Verse 1):
This Psalm is connected to the event in 1 Samuel 21, where David feigned madness before Achish (here called Abimelech, a title for Philistine kings) to escape with his life. Having survived against all odds, David looks back not to praise his own cunning, but to give full credit to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for his deliverance.
1. A Call to Personal & Communal Praise (Verses 2-4):
Gratitude in All Circumstances: “At all times” means in moments of terror as well as moments of peace.
Inviting Others: Faith is not meant to be isolated. David calls “the humble” (the afflicted or lowly) to join him, showing that one person’s story of deliverance brings hope to everyone who suffers.
2. Testimony of Deliverance (Verses 5-11):
Radiance vs. Shame: Those who turn to אֱלֹהִים are transformed from shame and fear into brightness (“radiant”).
Unseen Protection: Verse 8 offers one of the most comforting images in Scripture: אֱלֹהִים’s presence encircles those who revere Him like a protective guard.
True Provision: Even the strongest creatures (“young lions”), who rely on their own strength, can go hungry. But those who trust in אֱלֹהִים find that their ultimate spiritual and physical needs are provided for.
3. Wisdom Instruction: How to Live Well (Verses 12-15):
Here, the Psalm shifts from a hymn of praise into Wisdom Literature (similar to Proverbs):
Speech First: The very first step in honouring אֱלֹהִים and living a good life begins with controlling the tongue, refraining from ‘deceit’ and ‘malicious speech’.
Active Peace: Peace is not passive; it must be actively “pursued”.
4. The Attentiveness of אֱלֹהִים in Suffering (Verses 16-23):
אֱלֹהִים is Close to the Hurting: Verse 19 is the emotional center of the Psalm. אֱלֹהִים does not distance Himself from pain; He draws nearest to those whose hearts are broken.
Realistic Comfort: Verse 20 does not promise that good people will never suffer (“Many are the ills of the righteous”). Instead, it promises that trouble will not have the final word.
Redemption: The chapter concludes with absolute assurance, no one who takes refuge in אֱלֹהִים is ever abandoned or left desolate!
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My Closing Message:
The final verses of Psalm 34 leave us with an unwavering assurance of Divine loyalty. While Verse 20 reminds us honestly that “Many are the ills of the righteous”, the scripture does not leave us in affliction, it promises that יְהוָה delivers us out of them all.
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim does not stand far off when we are ‘weak’, ‘sick’, or ‘weary’. As Verse 19 beautifully declares, יְהוָה is nearest to those of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The Psalm closes in Verse 23 with the ultimate comfort for every faithful servant: יְהוָה redeemeth the soul of His servants, and none of them that take refuge in Him shall ever be left desolate.
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Remember
what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of
our prophets...
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace
of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
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