Psalms 34
Summary for Ps 34:1-22: Ps 34 a This wisdom psalm includes a thanksgiving hymn (34:1-7 b) that celebrates the Lord’s care for and protection of godly sufferers. It also includes an invitation to wisdom (34:8-14 c) and an exposition of wisdom concerning the Lord’s care for the needy and the suffering of the wicked (34:15-22 d). 34:title e Abimelech is another name for Achish (see 1 Sam 21:10-15 f). The body of the psalm makes no explicit connection to this event.Summary for Ps 34:1-3: 34:1-3 g The psalmist exhorts the helpless to join him in praise.
Summary for Ps 34:5-6: 34:5-6 h The psalmist narrates his experiences of answered prayer.
34:7 i 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 j), and he will guard all the godly (Ps 91:11 k).
Summary for Ps 34:8-14: 34:8-14 l The godly encourage everyone to seek wisdom, to fear the Lord, and to place themselves under the protection of the Lord’s angel.
Summary for Ps 34:9-10: 34:9-10 m Fear of the Lord includes reverence and respect, and it motivates a life of wisdom (see Prov 1:7 n; 9:10 o).
Summary for Ps 34:11-13: 34:11-13 p Wisdom contains three components: fearing the Lord (34:11 q), doing good (34:14 r), and rejecting evil (34:13 s). 34:11 t Anyone who listens, even children, can become wise followers of God.
Summary for Ps 34:12-16: 34:12-16 u Peter quotes this passage in his instructions for peaceful living (1 Pet 3:10-12 v).
34:13 w Godly people control their words; speaking evil and telling lies are foolish (see 10:7 x; cp. 17:1 y).
34:14 z The way of peace leads to harmony and order, whereas evil destroys them (see 37:11 aa).
Summary for Ps 34:15-16: 34:15-16 ab The Lord distinguishes between wise and foolish people; he shows his concern for the wise by rescuing them from trouble (34:15 ac, 17-20 ad), but he destroys the foolish (34:16 ae, 21 af).
34:18 ag 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 ah). The wicked hate the brokenhearted (109:16 ai), but the Lord heals them (147:3 aj; see Isa 57:15 ak; 61:1 al).
Summary for Ps 34:19-22: 34:19-22 am 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 an; 34:15-16 ao).
34:20 ap Bones represent a person’s entire being (see 6:2 aq).
• not one of them is broken: John applied this statement to Jesus at the crucifixion (John 19:36 ar).
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