This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
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PSALM
CHAPTER 34
1 A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before A-bim'-e-lech; who drove him away, and he departed.
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
This song is a testimony in which David tells of how God saved him in one instance, and then David encourages others to live daily praising God.
The inscription above the first verse says that this song was written when David "changed his behaviour before Abimelech..." Abimelech is a title for the kings of the Philistines.
In 1Samuel 21, David ran from Saul and thought he might find sanctity with Achish the king of Gath (a Philistine king). But the people told Achish who David was, and David began to fear for his life. So he feigned madness and acted like a person gone berserk. Achish didn't want anything to do with him, and ran David and his men off.
By this song, we can see that David credited the inspiration to feign madness to God. He also acknowledges that daily praising and praying to God opens the way for such inspiration.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Verse 2 is a commitment to praise God and a revelation that when we do, others will be glad. And in the following verse, an invitation is made for people to join in the praise.
Verses 4-7 testify that God is always watching over His people and ready to give help when needed. David is supplying a witness to that effect. "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of his troubles (verse 6)."
Notice the statement in verse 7. Remember that, and we'll discuss it more when we come to verse 15.
I love that statement in verse 8. "Taste" is a word used to describe a definite experience in our lives. Once you "taste" something, it is distinctively recorded in your memory. For instance, if I say, "apple," your mind instinctively produces a picture of the apple, the smell of it, and the "taste" of it. (Assuming you have tasted an apple!) Those things that taste "good" to you are recorded in the desirable section of your mind, and those things that don't taste good are recorded in the NONdesirable section. Again, assuming you have experienced it, if I say, "sulfuric acid," your mind recalls the experience and causes you to instinctively draw back. You recall the smell of rotten eggs, and you do not desire to experience the taste of it.
The "taste" of God is GOOD! Once you experience Him in your life, you'll desire Him all of your life.
Now the previous leads right into verses 9-10. God's saved people have no "want" because they are satisfied with the "taste" of HIM!
If a person truly has made the commitment that David states in verse 1, then that person will not have any needs unfulfilled. God WILL take care of His people. Saved people may have a lot of wants and desires unfulfilled, but not any NEEDS.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
David has stated his experience. He committed to God, and God provided every need for him. Now David begins to encourage others through this song to live with God at the FOREFRONT of their lives.
The real "fear" (awesome reverence) for God is displayed in living the way God TELLS us to live in His Word. That living can be generally summed up in verse 14.
And verse 15 is AWESOME! Remember, I said we'd discuss verse 7 more when we came to this verse.
Verse 7 speaks of "the angel of the LORD." The word "angel" means messenger. The word "the" is specific. There is One and ONLY One Messenger of Jehovah; that is JESUS CHRIST!
Think about that!! Jesus is constantly surrounding His people with his presence, protection and provision.
Now, look at verse 15 again. Not only is Jesus constantly surrounding us, but He is LOOKING to see what help He might need to give! 2Chronicles 16:9 puts it this way,
WHAT A WONDERFUL THOUGHT! This does NOT say that those living for Christ will be WITHOUT trouble. In fact it intimates that trouble is a CERTAINTY. How else could we need God to DELIVER us unless we were in trouble?
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Why is it that God allows the righteous to experience afflictions from the unrighteous? Verses 16-17 tell us that God is AGAINST the unrighteous, and FOR the righteous.
But WHY does God allow the "afflictions of the righteous?"
God has a plan that includes ALL of time. We do not know the end of time; but God DOES. God is working THOUGH time until the END of time so that those who WANT TO be saved SHALL be saved.
During this time those who are of an humble spirit and willing to live for Christ are KEPT SECURELY!
But we must understand that there has only been ONE TRULY righteous Man in this world -- that was JESUS!
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Verse 20 was uniquely fulfilled in Jesus Christ (see John 19:32-36). When Jesus was crucified the Jews realized that soon it would be evening, and that evening was the start of the Sabbath day and the Passover Supper. It was an especially holy day to them. Those men hanging on the cross shouldn't CONTINUE to hang there. So the soldiers were instructed to break their legs so they would be unable to breathe; thus, hastening death.
But when they came to Jesus, He was already dead! One of the soldiers pierced his side to be sure. And blood mixed with water came out of the pierced side, indicating that Jesus' heart had erupted. Jesus had literally died of a broken heart!
Therefore, none of His bones were broken!
It is the sin of the sinner that will cause his condemnation (verse 21). The only way that sin can be forgiven is to be redeemed by the Lord (verse 22). That redemption comes only to those who "trust," or surrender to Him.
Let's go back to the THEME of this song: God will provide for and protect all those who genuinely determine in their lives to serve Him.
THAT'S a wonderful song! Please continue in Bible Study with us.
"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."
And THAT is exactly the theme of this song. If a person truly has committed to live for Christ, and is trying, that person can EXPECT help from God in EVERY situation!