Explaining Psalm Chapter 34

Explanation of Psalm 34

Psalm 34 is a Psalm of praise, thanksgiving, and trust in God. It was written by King David after he escaped danger from King Achish by pretending to be insane (recorded in 1 Samuel 21). David had been afraid, hunted, and under pressure, yet after God delivered him, he burst forth in worship and testimony.

The Theme of Psalm 34

The Psalm teaches that:

• God hears those who cry to Him.
• The Lord delivers His people from fear.
• God is close to the brokenhearted.
• The righteous may suffer, but God will sustain them.
• True wisdom begins with fearing the Lord.

David is not praising God because life was easy. He is praising God because God was faithful in the middle of trouble.

Verses 1–3 — Continual Praise

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

David begins by saying he will praise God at all times — not only in victory, but also in hardship. This is mature faith. Anyone can praise God when everything is going well, but David learned to worship even after fear, rejection, and danger.

He then calls others to worship with him:

“O magnify the Lord with me.”

David wanted people to see how great God is. Worship enlarges God in our eyes and shrinks our fears.

Verses 4–7 — God Delivers From Fear

David says:

“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Notice David does not only say God removed his enemies — he says God delivered him from fear. Fear can imprison a person inwardly even before trouble destroys them outwardly.

The Psalm teaches that:

• God listens to prayer.
• God rescues those who cry out sincerely.
• God surrounds His people with protection.

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him.”

This speaks of God’s divine protection over His people.

Verse 8 — Taste and See

One of the most famous verses says:

“O taste and see that the Lord is good.”

David is saying faith is not merely religion or theory — it is personal experience. You cannot fully understand God by hearing about Him only; you must come to Him yourself.

God invites people to experience:

• His forgiveness
• His mercy
• His peace
• His salvation

Verses 9–14 — Learning the Fear of the Lord

David speaks like a teacher instructing children.

The “fear of the Lord” means:

• reverence,
• respect,
• obedience,
• and holy awe toward God.

He explains that a godly life includes:

• controlling the tongue,
• avoiding lies,
• turning from evil,
• and pursuing peace.

True spirituality is not only words in church — it affects daily living.

Verses 15–18 — God Sees the Brokenhearted

These verses bring comfort to suffering people.

“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous.”

God sees His people. He is not distant or unaware.

Then David says:

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.”

God draws especially near to the crushed, grieving, and humble. Some people feel abandoned in suffering, but Psalm 34 teaches that brokenness often becomes the place where God’s presence is most deeply known.

Verse 19 — Many Afflictions

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”

This verse destroys the false idea that believers never suffer. David says the righteous will face many troubles.

But the promise is:

• trouble will not have the final word,
• God remains faithful,
• and deliverance belongs to the Lord.

Verse 20 — A Prophecy About Christ

“He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”

This became a prophecy about Jesus Christ during the crucifixion. The Roman soldiers broke the legs of the other men crucified, but not Jesus’ bones, fulfilling this Scripture. This points to Christ as the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God.

Jesus Christ

Final Message of Psalm 34

Psalm 34 teaches believers to:

• praise God continually,
• seek Him in fear,
• trust Him in suffering,
• walk in holiness,
• and experience His goodness personally.

It is a Psalm for:

• the fearful,
• the brokenhearted,
• the weary,
• and those needing reassurance that God still hears prayer.

David’s message is simple:

God may not remove every battle immediately, but He will never abandon those who trust in Him.

GOD IS A GOOD GOD 

GOD KNOWS GOD LOVES GOD CARES 

WRITTEN FOR GEORGES WEB MINISTRIES

10th  May  2026