What A Relief To Know God!
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, what a great and loving God You are to me! I can only bow in awe and worship.
Read Psalm 34:1-22
[1] Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left. I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. [2] I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. [3] Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. [4] I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. [6] This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. [7] The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. [8] Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. [9] Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. [10] The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. [12] Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, [13] keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. [14] Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. [15] The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; [16] but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. [17] The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. [18] The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; [20] he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. [21] Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. [22] The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do you learn about the Lord in this psalm?There is a tremendous sense of the psalmist’s own personal experience and relief at deliverance (6), and he considers various situations where others may experience need. But, interestingly, his focus is upon the Lord, whose name is mentioned no fewer than 16 times, usually to point out exactly what good things he will do on behalf of his servants. Clearly, the point is that God will act on behalf of those who love him and call on his name. The key word in the second half of the psalm is “righteous.” See how many times it occurs in the psalm in various forms (15,17,19,21). It is important to bear in mind that “righteous” does not necessarily mean someone who is morally perfect. Indeed, David, whose name is associated with the psalm, often behaved in a way that left a great deal to be desired. The “righteous” are often simply named as those who put their trust in God. This will undoubtedly make them try to behave according to the Lord’s standards. Most important, however, are their faith and their love of him.
Apply
Use this psalm as a declaration of praise, thanksgiving and faith. Use these words with David’s kind of gratitude.
Closing prayer
Lord, I want to have the grateful heart of David so that Your “praise will always be on my lips.”
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.