Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 34:11-22

David, in this latter part of the psalm, undertakes to teach children. Though a man of war, and anointed to be king, he did not think it below him; though now he had his head so full of cares and his hands of business, yet he could find heart and time to give good counsel to young people, from his own experience. It does not appear that he had now any children of his own, at least any that were grown up to a capacity of being taught; but, by divine inspiration, he instructs the children of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 34:21

Evil shall slay the wicked ,.... Meaning either the evil they designed against the righteous shall return and fall upon their heads, to their own ruin; or the evil of affliction, which to them is the evil of punishment, both here and hereafter, from which they will have no deliverance in the end; though the righteous have from their afflictions, being not properly punishments, but chastisements for sin, and are but for a time; or else the evil of sin, which is the cause of death corporeal... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 34:21

Evil shall slay the wicked - The very thing in which they delight shall become their bane and their ruin. They that hate the righteous - All persecutors of God's people shall be followed by the chilling blast of God's displeasure in this world; and if they repent not, shall perish everlastingly. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 34:21

Verse 21 21.But malice shall slay the wicked. The Hebrew word רעה,raäh, which I have translated malice, some would rather render misery, so that the meaning would be, that the ungodly shall perish miserably, because in the end they shall be overwhelmed with calamities. The other translation, however, is more expressive, namely, that their wickedness, with which they think themselves fortified, shall fall upon their own heads. As David therefore taught before, that there was no defense better... 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 34:11-22

The second, didactic, part of the psalm here begins. The writer assumes the role of the teacher, and, addressing his readers as "sons," undertakes to "teach them the fear of the Lord" ( Psalms 34:11 ), or, in other words, to point out to them in what true religion consists. This he does in two remarkable verses ( Psalms 34:13 , Psalms 34:14 ); after which he proceeds, in the remainder of the psalm, to give reasons which may incline them to the practice of it ( Psalms 34:15-22 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:11-22

The secret and blessings of a happy life. "In this second part the psalmist turns to believers, addresses them, and says that it is his design to teach them the art of leading a happy and quiet life, and of being secure against enemies." I. THE SECRET OF A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL LIFE . 1 . The fear of God. ( Psalms 34:11 , Psalms 34:15 , Psalms 34:18 .) Childlike fear—compatible with trust and love. 2 . The government of the tongue. ( Psalms 34:13 .) What... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:21

Evil shall slay the wicked . His own misconduct shall bring destruction upon the wicked man-destruction of the body in many eases ( Psalms 7:15 , Psalms 7:16 ), in all, if he persists in his wickedness, destruction of the soul. And they that hate the righteous shall be desolate ; rather, shall be held guilty (comp. Psalms 5:10 , and the comment ad loc. ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:21

Evil shall slay the wicked - That is, his own wicked conduct will be the cause of his destruction. His ruin is not arbitrary, or the mere result of a divine appointment; it is caused by sin, and is the regular and natural consequence of guilt. In the destruction of the sinner, there will not be any one thing which cannot be explained by the supposition that it is the regular effect of sin, or what sin is, in its own nature, suited to produce. The one will measure the other; guilt will be the... read more

Group of Brands