Psalm 34

Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him out, and he went away.

1I will bless Yahweh at all times; his praise will always be in my mouth.

2My soul will take pride in Yahweh; may the lowly hear of it and rejoice.

3Declare Yahweh’s greatness with me; together let us lift high his name.

4I sought out Yahweh, and he answered me; he set me free from all that terrified me.

5They looked to him and shone with joy, and their faces will never be disgraced.

6This afflicted man called out, and Yahweh listened; from all his distress he saved him.

7The angel of Yahweh sets up camp all around those who fear him, and he rescues them.

8Taste and see that Yahweh is good; blessed is the person who shelters in him!

9Fear Yahweh, you who are his holy ones, for those who fear him are never in want.

10Young lions go without and grow hungry, but those who seek Yahweh will not be short of anything good.

11Come here, children, and hear me; the fear of Yahweh is what I will teach you.

12Who is the one who desires life and loves many days, to enjoy what is good?

13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15The eyes of Yahweh are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

16The face of Yahweh is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry out, and Yahweh listens; from all their distress he rescues them.

18Yahweh is close to those whose hearts are broken, and he saves those whose spirits are crushed.

19Many hardships befall the one who is righteous, yet Yahweh rescues him from every one of them.

20He keeps watch over all his bones; not one of them will be broken.

21Evil itself will put the wicked to death, and those who hate the righteous will be found guilty.

22Yahweh ransoms the lives of his servants; no one who shelters in him will be found guilty.