Psalm 34
1-12 Of King David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together!
I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
13-15 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15-22 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned. (ESV)
The Main idea:
The good life is a taught life. God gives teachers, gives a path to walk, and gives Himself as the reward, so learn the fear of the LORD from the faithful, do good with your tongue and your feet, and find that His eyes are on you.
1. The good life is learned (vv. 1–12)
1.1 Praise that turns into a lesson
1.2 The teacher learned it in a cave
1.3 The classroom is the congregation
2. The good life is practiced (vv. 13–14)
2.1 Guard your tongue
2.2 Turn away from evil and do good
2.3 Seek peace and pursue it
3. The good life is watched over (vv. 15–22)
3.1 The eyes and ears of the LORD
3.2 The face of the LORD against the doers of evil
3.3 Near to the brokenhearted
3.4 Redemption and no condemnation