...live in God's word...

“1 I will bless the Lord at all times;    

his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;    

let the humble hear and be glad. 

3 O magnify the Lord with me,    

and let us exalt his name together.

I love the humility of the Psalmist who blesses the Lord for the acts and words that bring Him “praise.” We should always do the same, pointing to the goodness of God rather than to our own accomplishments.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,    

and delivered me from all my fears. 

5 Look to him, and be radiant;    

so your faces shall never be ashamed. 

6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,    

and was saved from every trouble. 

7 The angel of the Lord encamps    

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

I love the reminder that the Lord will answer us and deliver us, even though it may not be in this lifetime. We know God does this because He promises this! Never forget these words of Jesus: “7 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him” Matthew 7:7-11!

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;    

happy are those who take refuge in him.

9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,    

for those who fear him have no want. 

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger,    

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 

11 Come, O children, listen to me;    

I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 

12 Which of you desires life,    

and covets many days to enjoy good? 

13 Keep your tongue from evil,    

and your lips from speaking deceit. 

14 Depart from evil, and do good;    

seek peace, and pursue it.

Look at the verbs here: Taste…See…and Fear! If you taste and see the goodness of God in your life, and if you fear the Lord — or deeply revere Him — you will want for nothing. These are promises of God spoken here -- and throughout -- the Bible! Take the Word of God to heart and follow the Lord! Live God's Word!

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,    

and his ears are open to their cry. 

16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers,    

to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,    

and rescues them from all their troubles. 

18 The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,    

and saves the crushed in spirit. 

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,    

but the Lord rescues them from them all. 

20 He keeps all their bones;    

not one of them will be broken. 

21 Evil brings death to the wicked,    

and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;    

none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned" Psalm 34.

The psalmist is realistic in his portrayal of life. The righteous do not escape trouble; but the Lord is open to our cries and rescues us from our troubles (vv.15, 17). We will all suffer “many afflictions” (v.19).  As many troubles as we experience, we need not be afraid, because we are not alone. The Lord redeems the life of his servants (v.22).

Psalm 34 is so beautiful. Read it again, slowly; Think deeply about it; Pray about; Live it!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.