Psalm 34. This is a Psalm of David, and the inspired heading of Psalm tells us it was composed “when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed” (1 Sam. 21:13). It was a very dark time in David’s life, but after the scene with Abimelech, David went to the cave of Adullam. Perhaps is the solitude of that time David’s heart was encouraged, and out flowed the sentiments of Psalm 34. In this song we have Israel in the millennium fighting all the nations to taste and see that the Lord is good, as they can witness his goodness to Israel in restoring them. Similar to Psalm 25, Psalm 34 is an acrostic Psalm although it has one letter missing. Psalm 25 had two letters missing.

 

 

vv.1-3 Overflowing Joy. The joy of the faithful is overflowing. It is infectious. The remnant call on others around them to join with them in magnifying Jehovah and exalting His name. Individual worship becomes collective worship. Our joy if the Lord is our most powerful testimony to the world! Israel will boast in the Lord, not in their own strength or ability.

 

 

vv.4-10 History reviewed. The remnant can review their history under Jehovah’s care. When they sought Him, He answered them, and when they looked up to Him they were enlightened. They view themselves as a poor man who called on Jehovah, and Jehovah saved him out of all his troubles. They can look back now and see the Angel of Jehovah and camping around them, and delivering them from their enemies. They invite others to “taste” or sample just a little of the goodness of Jehovah, and they will surely want more (v.8). The Lord is not only good at the first taste, but to feed on to the fullest (v.9). Even strongest with their natural ability (young lions) are still “in need and suffer hunger”, but those who “seek Jehovah shall not want any good”. They have not only tasted, but they are satisfied!

 

 

vv.11-18 The Principles of Jehovah’s Government. Israel reviews the principles of God’s government, which transcends dispensations. It would seem that the nation of Israel now has become a teacher of their children, and perhaps the other nations, teaching them the fear of Jehovah (Isaiah 2:1-2). These vv.12-16 are quoted by the apostle Peter in his first epistle, and applied to Christians. This is because God’s governmental ways never change. If you want to have a happy life, there is an upright path that goes along with it. It is interesting that David wrote this shortly after changing his behavior before the king of the Philistines. Perhaps he learned a great deal through his experience. The eyes, ears, and face of the Lord are inclined toward those who are righteous, but He is set against those who do evil. The righteous therefore have the special privilege of praying to Jehovah. He will draw near to those who are humble.

 

 

vv.19-22 Jehovah’s Tender Care for His Servants. The Psalm concludes with a review of Jehovah’s delivering power toward the faithful. It doesn’t matter how many enemies there are, Jehovah delivers delivers the faithful from “them all”. He keeps all the bones of the faithful, not one of them is broken. This may be alluded to in John 19:36, when the soldiers did not break the legs of Jesus. However, it is more likely that the exact prophecy in question is that of Exodus 12:46. Here it speaks of Jehovah’s tender care, even over the bodies of His saints. While the wicked are destroyed by their own evil, and the haters bear their own guilt, the servants of Jehovah are redeemed through his goodness. It is evident in v.22 that there is a sense in which Israel owns their guilt, but realize that since they trust in the Lord, they will not bear the guilt. It is the idea of non-imputation of sins based on the finished work of Christ!