Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 34
Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors
Read Psalms 34 in the BiblePsalms 34:3
With me. The psalmist invites the “humble” to join in praising Jehovah. We “magnify” God when we “ascribe … greatness” to Him (see Deut. 32:3). “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.” “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Ps. 107:2). In the modern synagogue service Ps. 34:3 is spoken by the reader as he takes the Torah from the ark. Name. See on Ps. 7:17.
Psalms 34:4
He heard me. Here begins the psalmist’s expression of the secret of his gratitude. He is grateful for what God did for him, for what He has done for others, and for the lessons that God has taught him by way of experience.
Psalms 34:5
They looked. Probably the “humble” of v. 2; possibly, men in general who have experienced God’s tenderness as had the psalmist. A number of Hebrew manuscripts, also the versions of Aquila and Jerome, and the Syriac, have the verb in the imperative “look ye.”
Experimental Religion: God is Good
In fleeing from enemies, seen and unseen, we seem to be alone, forsaken, driven ahead through gloomy darkness to new perplexities that threaten both body and soul with destruction. Then suddenly from unexpected quarters comes swift deliverence. We realize that an Unseen Presence has once more turned past mistakes into steppingstones toward victory. The heart is filled with gratitude and praise, and another milepost of experience is erected to serve as an encouragement in future tests. Truly the Lord is good! Psalm 34:4-8
Historical background to 1 Samuel 21:10 if "Abimelech" is Achish of Gath. Were lightened. Or, “brightened up” (see 2 Cor. 3:18). “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.” Nothing is more beautiful than the radiant countenance
Nichol, F. D. (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary : The Holy Bible with exegetical and expository comment. Commentary Reference Series (Ps 24:1). Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association. Nichol, F. D. (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary : The Holy Bible with exegetical and expository comment. Commentary Reference Series (Ge 1:1). Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association.
of a real Christian. When God looks our way, all the world is sunlit. A slight change in pointing makes the verb an imperative (see on “they looked,” v. 5), to be translated “beam ye [with joy].” The LXX also has the verb in the imperative.
Psalms 34:6
This poor man. Probably the psalmist is referring to himself in the third person, thus presenting a touching picture for our observation. This verse, according to the acrostic arrangement, should begin with waw; instead, the following letter, zayin, is the initial letter.
Psalms 34:7
The angel of the Lord. On the ministry of heavenly angels see AA 153, 154; GC 511–513, 631, 632. Encampeth. See Gen. 32:1, 2; 2 Kings 6:16, 17. The continual presence of guardian angels is one of the Christian’s sweetest assurances.
Ellen G. White
(Psalm 34:7.) Faithful Sentinels on Guard—There are good and evil angels. Satan is ever on the alert to deceive and mislead. He is using every enchantment to allure men into the broad road of disobedience. He is working to confuse the senses with erroneous sentiments, and remove the landmarks by placing his false inscription on the signposts which God has established to point the right way. It is because these evil agencies are striving to eclipse every ray of light from the soul that heavenly beings are appointed to do their work of ministry, to guide, guard, and control those who shall be heirs of salvation. None need despair because of the inherited tendencies to evil, but when the Spirit of God convicts of sin, the wrongdoer must repent and confess and forsake the evil. Faithful sentinels are on guard to direct souls in right paths (Manuscript 8, 1900).
Psalms 34:8
O taste and see. The psalmist invites others not to take his word, but to put the matter to the test for themselves. “Taste” is from the Heb. ta‘am, “to try the flavor of,” here meaning, “to experience” (see Heb. 6:5; 1 Peter 2:3). The surest proof of religion is found in personal experience. Without Christian experience the religion of Christ is only theory, and as mere theory it has no saving power. Good. Heb. tob, a word covering a wide range of qualities, such as “gracious,” “kindly,” “friendly.” A meditation upon this attribute of God should serve to correct our sense of cold justice. We should be sensitive to the gentler elements of God’s character. When tempted to forget gentleness in our relations with men, we need to think on this attribute of Deity. Blessed. See on Ps. 1:1. Man. Heb. geber, “the young, vigorous man.” None is beyond the need of divine help. In the divine plan, self-sufficiency is impossible. Man needs God.
Psalms 34:9
Psalms 34:10
Lions. For all their strength, young lions become famished, but those who reverence God lack nothing essentially good.
Psalms 34:11
Children. Teacherlike, the psalmist offers instruction. Verses 11–14 constitute a unified piece of instruction in the varied matter of the psalm. Fear of the Lord. For comment see on Ps. 19:9.
Psalms 34:12
Desireth life. The question involves man’s primal psychological “drives.” All men want to live long and happily.
Psalms 34:13
Keep thy tongue. See Ps. 15:2, 3; 39:1–3; Prov. 18:21; 1 Peter 3:10–12; James 3:2–10. Verses 13 and 14 answer the question of v. 12. The modern Jewish liturgy for daily use includes this verse. Guile. Heb. mirmah, “deceit.”
Psalms 34:14
Psalms 34:15
Eyes of the Lord. See Ps. 32:8.
Psalms 34:16
Face of the Lord. As the righteous are under “the eyes of the Lord,” so the wicked find God’s face turned against them. Both righteous and wicked are equally seen by God.
The remembrance. Compare Prov. 10:7.
Psalms 34:17
Delivereth. Often in this life, and completely in the life to come. The promise does not guarantee complete deliverance here; but in the case of every righteous man, heaven will mean deliverance from all troubles.
Psalms 34:18
Of a broken heart. A heart crushed by sorrow or suffering prepares a man to learn the most important lessons that God has to teach (see Ps. 119:71). The idea of the “broken heart” is frequent in the Bible (see Ps. 51:17; Isa. 61:1; 66:2).
Psalms 34:19
Many are the afflictions. See on v. 17. Being a Christian does not necessarily exempt one from affliction, but it gives one strength to endure. However, it has been observed that the sufferings of the Christian are less than those of the unbeliever, who suffers also the effects of intemperance, of crime, of evil habits. Some of the rewards of right living are enjoyed in this life.
Psalms 34:20
Keepeth all his bones. God protects the righteous from their enemies and watches over them (see on Matt. 10:28–30). Not one of them. The general principle is that the righteous are under divine protection. In the Bible general principles are often expressed in concrete language (see Matt. 10:30, 31). In fulfillment of Scripture Jesus’ bones were not broken (see John 19:36; cf. Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12; DA 771, 772).
Psalms 34:21
Evil shall slay. Sin consumes itself. Death is the natural and inescapable consequence of sin. Shall be desolate. Better, “shall be held guilty” (see Ps. 5:10).
Psalms 34:22
Redeemeth. The thought of this verse is in contrast with that of v. 21. Soul. See on Ps. 16:10. Shall be desolate. See on v. 21. The repetition of the verb in vs. 21, 22 emphasizes the contrast between the fate of the wicked and the ultimate deliverance of those who trust in God.
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary — Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors. Review and Herald Publishing Association · all rights reserved
Psalms 34:1
At all times. See Eph. 5:20. The psalmist begins the psalm in a personal tone. Soul. That is, “I” (see on Ps. 16:10).
Ellen G. White
The assurance of God’s approval will promote physical health. It fortifies the soul against doubt, perplexity, and excessive grief, that so often sap the vital forces and induce nervous diseases of a most debilitating and distressing character. The Lord has pledged His unfailing word that His eye shall be over the righteous, and His ear open to their prayer, while He is against all them that do evil. We make very hard work for ourselves in this world when we take such a course that the Lord is against us (The Review and Herald, October 16, 1883).