Psalms 34

By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

1 * I will bless Yahweh at all times.

His praise will always be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall boast in Yahweh.

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh magnify Yahweh with me.

Let’s exalt his name together.

4 I sought Yahweh, and he answered me,

and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to him, and were radiant.

Their faces shall never be covered with shame.

6 This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him,

and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him,

and delivers them.

8 Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9 Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints,

for there is no lack with those who fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger,

but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me.

I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

12 Who is someone who desires life,

and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil,

and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Depart from evil, and do good.

Seek peace, and pursue it.

15 Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous.

His ears listen to their cry.

16 Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil,

to cut off their memory from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart,

and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.

20 He protects all of his bones.

Not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall kill the wicked.

Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

22 Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants.

None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.

*34:1 Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav).