Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 34:1-10, 22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Verse 2My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Verse 3O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Verse 4I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Verse 5Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
Verse 6This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
Verse 7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Verse 8O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
Verse 9O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
Verse 10The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Verse 22The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Devotion
Theme for this week: Praise for the experience of God’s goodness
Yesterday, a favorite passage from the book of Revelation; today, a favorite psalm. What a week! Whether the author was actually King David, after a successful escape from the king of Gath, as the title suggests, or simply an obscure ancient Israelite after a time of trial, this psalm overflows in praise to God for deliverance. Again, we hear the same kind of total response that we witnessed in yesterday’s passage: “at all times” she will bless the Lord; “continually” shall the praise of God be in her mouth; it’s a “boast” that the soul makes about God. Why? The answer reflects the experiences of millions of believers, then and today. The Lord saved him from every trouble. The Lord delivered her from all her fears. The Lord is good. The Lord redeems our lives from evil. The echoes of these joyful praises ricochet through the lives of us as well, God’s faithful people today.
Prayer
Dear God, our flimsy trains of thought wait for focus and worthy purpose. Give us such vision of your goodness that you are never far from our awareness and praise. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.