Psalm 34
"I will bless the LORD at all times"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Read
What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
Psalm 34 is an alphabet acrostic of praise. David begins: "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." He calls the humble to rejoice with him: "Taste and see that the LORD is good." The angel of the LORD camps around those who fear him. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers from them all, and those who take refuge in him are never condemned.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 34
Before You Read
Who wrote it. David — in a dangerous moment. The heading says he pretended to be insane before a Philistine king to escape (1 Samuel 21:10-15). God got him out, and he wrote this psalm.
What it is. Like Psalms 25 and 145, each verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. An A-to-Z of praise.
What it's about. Seeking the LORD, tasting his goodness, and learning to live with the fear of God — a life that is not afraid.
When the church sings it. On several Sundays in Ordinary Time, especially in Year B when John 6 is being read.
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. I Will Bless the LORD | 34:1-7 | He delivered me — come magnify him |
| 2. Taste and See | 34:8-10 | God is good; those who seek him lack nothing |
| 3. The Fear of the LORD | 34:11-22 | Come, children — here is how to live |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 3I Will Bless the LORD
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips" (34:1).
Even when afraid. Even when surrounded. The praise does not stop.
"My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice" (34:2).
"Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together" (34:3).
"I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears" (34:4).
"Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed" (34:5).
"This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles" (34:6).
"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them" (34:7).
Section 2 of 3Taste and See
"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (34:8).
This is an invitation to experience God, not just learn about him.
"Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing" (34:9).
"Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing" (34:10).
Even the strong go without. Those who seek God do not.
Section 3 of 3The Fear of the LORD
"Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD" (34:11).
The fear of the LORD is not terror. It is reverence — a life shaped by knowing God.
He who loves life keeps his tongue from evil and his lips from deceit.
"Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it" (34:14).
"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry" (34:15).
"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles" (34:17).
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit" (34:18).
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all" (34:19).
"The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned" (34:22).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "I will bless the LORD at all times" (34:1) | Praise is not just for good times. |
| "Taste and see that the LORD is good" (34:8) | You cannot just think about God — you experience him. |
| "Those who fear Him lack nothing" (34:9) | Reverence for God leads to a full life, not a restricted one. |
| "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted" (34:18) | God does not stay away when we are crushed. |
| "Many are the afflictions of the righteous" (34:19) | Following God does not remove suffering. |
| "None who take refuge in Him will be condemned" (34:22) | Safety is in him, not in our own performance. |
Back Then
"A-to-Z psalm" — the Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters, and each verse begins with the next letter. It was a way of saying: from beginning to end, everything is covered.
"Angel of the LORD encamps" (34:7) — protective language, like an army surrounding a camp to defend it.
Literal Reader Alert
"Not one of them will be broken" (34:20, referring to the righteous person's bones) — John says this was fulfilled when the soldiers did not break Jesus' bones at the crucifixion (John 19:36).
Do the righteous always get delivered? Many afflictions come, and God delivers from them all — but not always right away, not always in the way expected. The final deliverance is resurrection.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| David | Grateful | God saved him from his fears (34:4) |
| The brokenhearted | Not alone | The LORD is near (34:18) |
| Those who seek God | Satisfied | They lack no good thing (34:10) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you need from this psalm? Tap one.
I'm afraid
He delivered me from all my fears.
My heart is broken
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted.
I want to live differently
Turn from evil, seek peace, pursue it.
I've never really experienced God
Taste and see that the LORD is good.
You Might Have Heard
"God helps those who help themselves."
What's true: God calls people to act and live wisely.
What the passage is mainly about: "This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him" (34:6). He was not strong. He had nothing. He called. God answered. The help comes from God, not from our own strength.
Where Jesus is: John's Gospel connects verse 20 — "not one of his bones will be broken" — to Jesus on the cross. He is the righteous one who suffered, from whom God delivered, and who redeems those who take refuge in him.
Good News
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted.
"He saves the contrite in spirit" (34:18).
You do not have to be strong or put-together to find God. The brokenhearted and the poor man who cries out are exactly who he hears.
Psalm 34 is an A-to-Z of praise: taste and see that the LORD is good. He hears the brokenhearted, delivers the afflicted, and redeems all who take refuge in him.
Big Idea
Taste and see that the LORD is good. He delivers the poor man who calls out, is near to the brokenhearted, and redeems all who take refuge in him. From A to Z, God is faithful.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved Psalm 34 and cited it often. He saw in it the gospel pattern: the poor sinner who has nothing calls out, and God saves. The righteous are those who trust God, not those who earn his favor.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 34 on several Sundays in Ordinary Time in Year B, including Sundays when John 6 (the bread of life) is read, and at other times in the year.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 19 Year BPsalm, Psalm 34:1-8
- Lectionary 20 Year BPsalm, Psalm 34:9-14
- Lectionary 21 Year BPsalm, Psalm 34:15-22
- Lectionary 30 Year BPsalm, Psalm 34:1-8 [19-22]
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 34, explained in plain words. An acrostic of praise: David blesses the LORD, calls the poor to taste and see that he is good, and promises that those who take refuge in him are never condemned. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-34/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church