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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 34:1-10

The title of this psalm tells us both who penned it and upon what occasion it was penned. David, being forced to flee from his country, which was made too hot for him by the rage of Saul, sought shelter as near it as he could, in the land of the Philistines. There it was soon discovered who he was, and he was brought before the king, who, in the narrative, is called Achish (his proper name), here Abimelech (his title); and lest he should be treated as a spy, or one that came thither upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 34:5

They looked to him, and were lightened ,.... That is, "the humble" ones, Psalm 34:2 ; and so this is a reason why they should join in praising and magnifying the Lord; these "looked" up to God in prayer and by faith, when in distressed and uncomfortable circumstances, for help and deliverance, and a supply of every needful good thing; and they were "enlightened"; so the Targum renders it, "their faces were enlightened"; as Jarchi and Aben Ezra interpret it, in opposition to what follows:... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 34:5

They looked unto him - Instead of הביטו hibbitu , they looked, several of Dr. Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. have הביטו habbitu , with the point pathach, "Look ye." And their faces were not ashamed - Some MSS., and the Complutensian Polyglot, make this clause the beginning of a new verse and as it begins with a vau, ופניהם upheneyhem , "and their faces," they make it supply the place of the verse which appears to be lost; but see what is said in the introduction before the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 34:5

Verse 5 5.They shall look to him, and shall flow to him. I have already intimated, that this verse and the following should be read in connection with the preceding verse. In relating his own experience David has furnished an example to others, that they should freely and without fear approach God in order to present their prayers before him. Now, he says that they shall come, and this too with a happy issue. The first two verbs are expressed in the past time in the Hebrew; but I have,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:1-10

Links of grace. I. In this hymn we have first of all PRAISE . Praise is not an impulse, or an outburst of enthusiasm soon to die out, but it is the expression of the heart and the exercise of the life. It is good to have stated times for praise, but when the soul is in true fellowship with God it will find "continual" reason for praising him. "Praise" is for "all times," because God fills "all times." Thanksgiving has respect to special times, and to what God has done for us, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:1-10

Deliverance and gratitude. Occasion of the psalm uncertain. Celebrates some great deliverance which awakens praise and inspires him to teach others trust add the secret of a prosperous life. I. A GREAT DELIVERANCE CELEBRATED . ( Psalms 34:4-6 .) Salvation. 1 . He was in great trouble and danger. ( Psalms 34:4-6 .) That the nature of the danger is not explained. Sin and sorrow our greatest trouble. 2 . He earnestly sought deliverance. ( Psalms 34:4-6 .)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:1-22

Life's experiences turned to manifold uses. £ There is no sufficient reason for severing this psalm from the detail of history to which its title refers; and it is much to be wished that its writer had uniformly turned his own experience to a use as wise as that which he here urges upon others. £ But David's pen might be golden, though sometimes his spirit was leaden; and we may study with great advantage the ideal of life which he sets before us, learning from his experience how we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:5

They looked unto him, and were lightened ; or, were brightened (Hengstenberg); i.e. had their countenances lighted up and cheered. And their faces were not ashamed . As they would have been if God had made no response to their appeal (comp. Psalms 25:2 , Psalms 25:3 ; Psalms 74:21 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:5

They looked unto him - That is, they who were with the psalmist. He was not alone when he fled to Abimelech; and the meaning here is, that each one of those who were with him looked to God, and found light and comfort in Him. The psalmist seems to have had his thoughts here suddenly turned from himself to those who were with him, and to have called to his remembrance how they “all” looked to God in their troubles, and how they all found relief.And were lightened - Or, “enlightened.” They found... read more

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