Psalm 34 Devotional
By Pastor Lawrence

We might refer to this psalm as an ode to the God who answers prayer. Even though the superscription tells us that it was written particularly to commemorate David’s escape from Abimelech or Achish, it doesn’t go into any of the details of that specific narrative. Instead, it is written in the form of an acrostic lyrical poem where each verse begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew Alphabet in order to help God’s people remember to call upon the Lord in their time of need.

In verses 1-3 David sets the tone for this psalm lifting up the name of the Lord in praise and calling upon God’s people to share with him in magnifying God’s name together. Then, in verses 4-7 he provides a brief testimony for how God helped him in the midst of his particular afflictions. In verses 8-10 he calls upon Israel to do the same, to put God to test and see for themselves how God helps his people in their distress. Afterwards, in verses 11-18 he exhorts them toward holiness reminding them that God only hears the prayer of the righteous but turns away from the plea of the wicked. Finally, in verses 19-22 David promises Israel not a life free from affliction but a God who is a faithful refuge and redemption.

The apostle Peter quotes from this psalm on a couple of occasions. He alludes to v.8 when he tells the believers in Asia Minor to desire the pure milk of God’s Word “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good,” he says in 1 Peter 2:3. There, instead of pointing out the goodness of the Lord to motivate prayer, Peter uses it to encourage new Christians to meditate upon God’s Word. Certainly, in both cases it is the person who has tasted something of God’s goodness that seeks to obtain more of that goodness through prayer and Scripture.

Peter also quotes directly from vv.12-16 in 1 Peter 3:10-12. In that context, Peter is talking about how to respond to those harassing one in the faith, and he exhorts the believer not to repay evil for evil but rather to bless the one who curses you, quoting from David who said, “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Why? “For the sake of your prayers” (1 Peter 4.7), so that “your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7) and because “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer” (1 Peter 3:12). Clearly, Peter has this psalm in mind throughout his epistle taking David’s counsel to heart that God listens to the prayers of the righteous but turns away from those of the wicked.

There is much to meditate upon in this psalm and I encourage you to slow down and peruse it carefully. Listen attentively to its promises such that “those who look to God (in prayer) are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Just as the face of Moses shone brightly having been in the presence of the Lord, so we have a similar opportunity to meet with God face to face in prayer. Or put God to the test and see for yourself that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Indeed, we must know and believe that “the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.” Having such precious promises then, let us draw near to God today in confidence and in faith.