Scripture: Psalm 34
1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Today's Meditation:
His praise should always be on our lips.
The Psalmist in this passage helps us understand the benefits of continual praise. The NIV describes how our faces will be radiant when they are turned to Him. The Message describes it as: "Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile; never hide your feelings from Him."
His angels will circle around us and protect us from evil. We have the privilege of seeing how good the Lord is in times of need, as He will rescue us when we call on Him. He doesn’t say we will not have troubles but that He will deliver us. He says when we seek Him, we will lack no “good thing.”
We must do our part by watching what we say and turning our backs on evil. The Lord promises us that He will be near to us when we cry to Him. When we need Him, He is right beside us.
Perhaps my favorite part of this Psalm is that “The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.” (NIV) It assures me that when I seek Him, I will find Him.
I pray we all find Him when we need Him.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to remember that all we must do is call on you and you will rescue us. Thank you, Lord, for the promises you have made and always keep. Amen
Cheryl Niehoff