34 A song by David who pretended to be insane in front of King Avimelek, causing the king to send him away.

34 I will praise Yahweh at all times.

I’ll always be praising him out loud.

2 I will praise Yahweh!

Let those who’re oppressed hear and celebrate.

3 Praise Yahweh with me.

Let’s compliment him together.

4 I searched for Yahweh and he answered me,

and he helped me overcome all my fears.

5 Those who put their trust in him are radiant,

and have no need to feel ashamed.

6 This oppressed man called out for help

and Yahweh heard him and saved him from all his troubles.

7 Yahweh’s messenger stands guard around those who fear Yahweh

and rescues them.

8 Taste and see that Yahweh is good.

Anyone who looks to him for their safety will prosper.

9 Fear Yahweh, you who belong to him.

There’s no lack for those who honour him.

10 Young lions sometimes lack food and go hungry,

but those who put their trust in Yahweh won’t lack anything good.

11 Come and listen to me, my children.

I’ll teach you how to honour Yahweh.

12 Anyone who desires life and wants a long life

in order to experience good things

13 then don’t let evil words come out of your mouth,

≈and keep your lips from speaking lies.

14 Turn away from evil

≈and do good.

Seek peace

≈and go after it.

15 Yahweh’s eyes are on those who try to obey him

≈and his ears are directed toward their calls for help.

16 Yahweh works against those who do evil—

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 The godly people cry out and Yahweh hears

and he rescues them from all their troubles.

18 Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted,

≈and he saves whose spirits feel crushed.

19 Godly people have many troubles,

but Yahweh rescues them from them all.

20 He keeps all his bones—

≈not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will bounce back and kill the wicked.

≈and those who hate godly people will be condemned.

22 Yahweh rescues the lives of his servants.

≈None of those who go to him for safety will be condemned.