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In Praise of God's Goodness
Psalm 34.1-8 and 19-22
Good News Translation (GNT)
"Hebrew Title:
"By David, who left the presence of Abimelech
after pretending to be crazy and being sent
away by him."
1 I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop
praising him.
2 I will praise him for what he has done; may all
who are oppressed listen and be glad!
3 Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us
praise his name together!
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me;
he freed me from all my fears.
5 The oppressed look to him and are glad;
they will never be disappointed.
6 The helpless call to him, and he answers;
he saves them from all their troubles.
7 His angel guards those who honor the Lord
and rescues them from danger.
8 Find out for yourself how good the Lord is.
Happy are those who find safety with him.
19 Good people suffer many troubles,
but the Lord saves them from them all;
20 the Lord preserves them completely;
not one of their bones is broken.
21 Evil will kill the wicked; those who hate the
righteous will be punished.
22 The Lord will save his people; those who go to
him for protection will be spared.
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Commentary taken from from the
'word-on-the-web' supplied by the
Scripture Union'
'In Praise of God's Goodness'
Psalm 34.1-8 and 19-22
The superscription reveals that this psalm arises out of David's experience of feigning insanity to escape from Abimelek.
Whereas 1 Samuel 21:10-15 functions like a news report of this incident, Psalm 34 serves as David's personal testimony, where he credits God - rather than his own astuteness - with delivering him from the clutches of the Philistine king.
Consider the importance of community.
Consider the place and function of testimony within the local church: it both lifts up God and uplifts the faith community.
David's praises rise upward, glorifying God
(vs 1-3) and his words of encouragement flow outward, assuring his hearers that the same God who delivered
David will deliver them also (vs 4-7). Faith, however, cannot be sustained on other people's stories.
Each of us needs to experience God's hand in our own stories.
A relationship with God is never inherited, but requires a personal and deliberate choice.
The privilege of access, the promise of deliverance and the precious blessings in which David glories are reserved for those who 'fear' God and choose to 'take refuge' in him.
Faith begins with a declaration of trust, but it is also a lifelong commitment to righteous living.
The experience of God's goodness is inextricably linked with the pursuit of godliness, which includes both turning away from evil and actively pursuing good.
Faith is about our words, but also our walk.
Other versions are available here
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