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

א (Alef)

34 I will praise Yahweh at all times.

I’ll always be praising him out loud.

ב (Beyt)

2 I will praise Yahweh!

Let those who are oppressed hear and celebrate.

ג (Gimel)

3 Praise Yahweh with me.

Let’s compliment him together.

ד (Dalet)

4 I searched for Yahweh and he answered me,

and he helped me overcome all my fears.

ה (He)

5 Those who put their trust in him are radiant,

and have no need to feel ashamed.

ו (Vav)

6 This oppressed man called out for help

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

ז (Zayin)

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

and rescues them.

ח (Het)

8 Taste and see that Yahweh is good.

Anyone who looks to him for their safety will prosper.

ט (Tet)

9 Fear Yahweh, you who belong to him.

There’s no lack for those who honour him.

י (Yod)

10 Young lions sometimes lack food and go hungry,

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

כ (Kaf)

11 Come and listen to me, my children.

I’ll teach you how to honour Yahweh.

ל (Lamed)

12 Anyone who desires life and wants a long life

in order to experience good things

מ (Mem)

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

≈and keep your lips from speaking lies.

נ (Nun)

14 Turn away from evil

≈and do good.

Seek peace

≈and go after it.

ס (Samek)

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

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

ע (Ayin)

16 Yahweh works against those who do evil—

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

פ (Pe)

17 The godly people cry out and Yahweh hears

and he rescues them from all their troubles.

צ (Tsade)

18 Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted,

≈and he saves whose spirits feel crushed.

ק (Qof)

19 Godly people have many troubles,

but Yahweh rescues them from them all.

ר (Resh)

20 He keeps all his bones—

≈not one of them will be broken.

ש (Sin/Shin)

21 Evil will bounce back and kill the wicked.

≈and those who hate godly people will be condemned.

ת (Tav)

22 Yahweh rescues the lives of his servants.

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