United Commentaries

Ps.34.1-22

This wisdom psalm includes a thanksgiving hymn (34:1-7) that celebrates the Lord’s care for and protection of godly sufferers. It also includes an invitation to wisdom (34:8-14) and an exposition of wisdom concerning the Lord’s care for the needy and the suffering of the wicked (34:15-22).

Ps.34.1

title Abimelech is another name for Achish (see 1 Sam 21:10-15). The body of the psalm makes no explicit connection to this event.

Ps.34.1-3

The psalmist exhorts the helpless to join him in praise.

Ps.34.5-6

The psalmist narrates his experiences of answered prayer.

Ps.34.7

The angel of the Lord represented the Lord’s presence during the wilderness journey. He protected Israel from the forces of Egypt (Exod 14:19-20), and he will guard all the godly (Ps 91:11).

Ps.34.8-14

The godly encourage everyone to seek wisdom, to fear the Lord, and to place themselves under the protection of the Lord’s angel.

Ps.34.9-10

Fear of the Lord includes reverence and respect, and it motivates a life of wisdom (see Prov 1:7; 9:10).

Ps.34.11-13

Wisdom contains three components: fearing the Lord (34:11), doing good (34:14), and rejecting evil (34:13).

Ps.34.11

Anyone who listens, even children, can become wise followers of God.

Ps.34.12-16

Peter quotes this passage in his instructions for peaceful living (1 Pet 3:10-12).

Ps.34.13

Godly people control their words; speaking evil and telling lies are foolish (see 10:7; cp. 17:1).

Ps.34.14

The way of peace leads to harmony and order, whereas evil destroys them (see 37:11).

Ps.34.15-16

The Lord distinguishes between wise and foolish people; he shows his concern for the wise by rescuing them from trouble (34:15, 17-20), but he destroys the foolish (34:16, 21).

Ps.34.18

Those who are brokenhearted possess a spirit of deep contrition and dependence on the Lord. God accepts this spirit as a proper sacrifice (51:17). The wicked hate the brokenhearted (109:16), but the Lord heals them (147:3; see Isa 57:15; 61:1).

Ps.34.19-22

The godly might suffer, but the Lord will reward them in the end. Similarly, the wicked might prosper for a time, but ultimately they will perish (1:6; 34:15-16).

Ps.34.20

Bones represent a person’s entire being (see 6:2).

not one of them is broken: John applied this statement to Jesus at the crucifixion (John 19:36).