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Wisdom & Poetry · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Psalm 34

Psalm 34 is read especially through the theme of wisdom, within Book I (Psalms 1–41). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.

WisdomLamentTrust & Refuge
Old Testament

Psalm 34

1By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.

2My soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let’s exalt his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.

6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9Oh fear the LORD, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.

10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

11Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

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

14Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

15The LORD’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.

16The LORD’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.

17The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.

21Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

22The LORD redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.

READ IN CONTEXT

Understanding Psalm 34

Psalm 34 is read especially through the theme of wisdom, within Book I (Psalms 1–41). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.

Collection

Book I (Psalms 1–41). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.

Themes detected

Wisdom, Lament, Trust & Refuge. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Psalm 34

Psalm 34 contains 22 verses and about 345 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 22 closes: “The LORD redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include fear, good, evil, righteous, will, lord’s. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Psalm 34

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 34:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

What kind of Psalm is this?+

Our reading profile emphasizes wisdom, with related themes of Wisdom, Lament, Trust & Refuge. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

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