Psalms 34

David being wonderfully delivered out of a great danger exhorteth all Believers to consider and praise to gether with him, the goodness of God to himself, and all his, and to call and relying upon him in all troubles: teaching moreover, that the true means of happiness is, to fear the LORD, who governing all things, doth root out the wicked, and preserveth his.

1. (A Psalm of) David: when he had changed his behaviour [Or, carriage, deportment. Heb. Properly, taste, or, savour, in regard that a man is usually tried and judge what he is, or what is in him, by his out ward carriage and behaviour. See this History 1 Sam.21. he is called by his proper Name Achis, King of Gath, but Abimelech seemth to have been a more general Name besides of the Philistines Kings. See thereof Gen.21.2.] who chased away; [viz. By his Officers, who had brought David before him in that posture, and thought he would have caused him to be committed and put to death, which doubtless he would have performed likewise, if God had notably hindered it, and helped David out of that straight. See 1 Sam.2`1.11,12.] that he away.

2. (Aleph.) [Of this Alphabet, see the annotation upon the title Psalm 25.] I will praise [Heb. Bless] the LORD, at all times: his praise shall be in my mouth continually.

3. (Beth.) My soul shall glory himself in the LORD. The meek-minded [See Psalm 10.on verse 17.] shall hear it, and rejoice.

4. (Gimel.) Make the LORD great with me, [Or, magnify the LORD with me] and let us exalt [highly [praise, as Psalms 30:1.] his Name together.

5. (Daleth.) I have sought the LORD, [Besought him and prayed to him for help] and he hath answered me, and rescued me out of all fears. [See 1 Samuel 21:12]

6. (He. Vau.) They [viz. The meek-minded above verse 3.] have looked upon him, [expected and looked for his help with the spiritual eyes of their faith] yea, run upon (him) like a water-stream: [forcing God, as it were, by the assault of their zeal, and powerful prayers. Compare Isaiah 2:2. and 60.5. Jerem.31.12. and 51. 44. Matth.11.12. Luke 16:16. Jerem.5.16. Oth.and are eased, or lightened, i.e. comforted, have received cause of rejoicing: in regard that the Hebrew word is taken by some in a twofold signification] and their faces were not made to blush.

7. (Zain.) This wretch cried, [David namely; who speaketh here of himself, as pointing on his own person; or introducing the faithful speaking of him] and the LORD heard: and he delivered him out of all his distresses.

8. (Cheth.) The Angel of the LORD, [i.e. the Angels, there being spoken of their leaguering or camping themselves. See Gen.32.1,2. 2 Kings 6 17.] campeth himself round about those that fear him, and plucketh them out.

9. (Teth.) Taste and see that the LORD is good; [i.e. take notice and observe it in your hearts, and rejoice therein: or make trial of it, and you shall find it so. Compare Job 12.on verse 20. Proverbs 31:18. and 1 Pet.2.23.] right happy is the man (that) trusteth in him.

10. (Jod.) Fear the LORD, ye his Saints: [See Psalm 19.on verse 10.] for they that fear him have no lack.

11. (Caph.) The young Lions suffer poverty and hunger; being not able sometimes to get prey. See Job ch.4.on ver.11.] but they that seek the LORD, have no lack of any good.

12. (Lamed.) Come ye children, [You that hold me to be your spiritual Father, that is to say, Prophet and Teacher. See Jud.17.on v.10. Pro.1.on v.8.] hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

13. (Mem.) Who is the man that design to live? [i.e. is there any, or if there be any, &c. He that, &c. See Deut.20.on verse 5. The answer unto these questions you have in the verses following] that loveth days, [i.e. to live long, a long life, length of days] for to see the good? [i.e. to enjoy prosperity. See Job 7.on verse 7. These and such like promises must so be understood, that crosses and afflictions be not excluded, as the whole book of God, and especially this of the Psalms, yea this very Psalm it self, verse 20. Sheweth.]

14. (Nun) keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking deceit. [The meaning is, Let him that would or means to enjoy the good and weal aforesaid, do thus.]

15. (Samech.) Turn away from the evil, and do the seek peace and pursue after it.

16. (Ajin) The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous: [As above Psalm 33.verse 18.] and his ears to their cry.

17. (Pe.) The face of the LORD [Understand his angry face, as above Psalms 21:10. see there] is against them that do evil; to destroy their remembrance from off the Earth.

18. (Tsade) They cry, [The righteous namely, verse 16.] and the LORD heareth, and he rescueth them out of all their distresses.

19. (Koph.) The LORD is near the broken of heart; [Which, laying aside all high mindedness, do humble themselves before the LORD with hearty grief and sorrow for their sins, and desire of grace. Compare Psalm 51.on verse 19. And 147.3. Isaiah 42:3. and 57.15. and 61.1. and 66.2. Luke 4:18. and 7.38. Acts 2:37.] and he preserveth the dismaid of spirit. [or, the contrite bruised, etc.]

20. (Resch.) Many are the adversities of the righteous; [Or, the righteous hath many adversities: Hebr. Evils, i.e. he is subject to many miseries, crosses and troubles; many troubles do befall him, or he meets many a trouble here, &c.] but out of all those the LORD doth rescue him.

21. (Schin.) He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

22. (Thau) The malice shall put the wicked to death: and they that hate the righteous, shall be declared guilty. [The Hebrew word doth sometimes signify, to be held, or declared guilty. Otherwhiles, to be laid waste; both these significations, are for their affinities sake, Joined here together, thus, shall be laid waste (or, made desolate) as guilty.]

23. The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants; and all they that trust in him, shall not be declared guilty.