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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 34, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [{A Psalm} of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.] I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise {shall} continually {be} in my mouth. {Abimelech: or, Achish}
Psalms 34:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear {thereof}, and be glad.
Psalms 34:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalms 34:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalms 34:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. {were lightened: or, they flowed unto him}
Psalms 34:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard {him}, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalms 34:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Psalms 34:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for {there is} no want to them that fear him.
Psalms 34:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good {thing}.
Psalms 34:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalms 34:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 What man {is he that} desireth life, {and} loveth {many} days, that he may see good?
Psalms 34:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psalms 34:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalms 34:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 The eyes of the LORD {are} upon the righteous, and his ears {are open} unto their cry.
Psalms 34:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 The face of the LORD {is} against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Psalms 34:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 {The righteous} cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Psalms 34:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 The LORD {is} nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. {unto...: Heb. to the broken of heart} {of a contrite...: Heb. contrite of spirit}
Psalms 34:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19 Many {are} the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalms 34:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Psalms 34:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. {desolate: or, guilty}
Psalms 34:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. {desolate: or, guilty}
Psalms 34:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.