Psalms 34:1

PSALM 34

THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR DELIVERANCE

The ancient superscription ascribes this psalm to David and identifies it with the occasion when he feigned madness to escape from Abimelech. It is an imperfect acrostic, omitting the sixth letter and adding another letter at the last, very similar in this particular to Psalms 25.

We are surprised that five or six reputable scholars point out what they call a mistake in the superscription, insisting that in 1 Samuel 21:11-15, the name of the king from whom David escaped by feigning madness was called Achish, not Abimelech.

Of course, these ancient superscriptions have no claim to having been written by inspiration; and it is altogether possible that there are indeed mistakes in some of them; but in the instance before us, there is a much better explanation of the two names than merely branding one of them as "a mistake."

"Abimelech was the title of Philistine kings, just as Pharaoh was the title of Egyptian kings."[1] No less than a dozen Roman emperors bore the title of Caesar. Could we ascribe an error to Luke because he reported that Paul said, "I appeal unto Caesar" (Acts 25:11), whereas, in fact, he really appealed unto "Nero?"

Allegations of "error" in this inscription are therefore an indication of the ignorance of commentators rather than any kind of a reflection against what is in the superscription. It also should be noted that the dynastic name Abimelech was known when Moses wrote Genesis 20, and Genesis 26, centuries before the times of David.

The fact of the psalm's being an acrostic is considered sufficient grounds by destructive critics for assigning a date to this psalm long after the times of David and declaring that, "The date of it is post-exilic."[2] Such a statement is an unsupported error, an illegitimate child of the critic's imaginary dictum that the acrostic form of writing psalms was unknown to David, and developed long afterward. This is not true. As Delitzsch said, "The fact of the Psalm's being alphabetical (acrostic) says nothing against David as the author of it."[3] Alexander Maclaren also stated that, "Acrostic structure's indicating a late date is by no means self-evident,"[4] adding that it has certainly not been proved.

Some have expressed amazement that David here gave no details of the manner in which God had delivered him out of the hands of Abimelech (Achish), by feigning madness, a ruse which nearly all the older writers vigorously condemned, as hypocritical.

Spurgeon commented on David's omission of any reference to his pretended insanity as follows:

David dwells only on the grand fact of God's having heard his prayer and delivered him. We may learn from his example not to parade our sins before others, as certain vainglorious professors are doing, and who seem to be as proud of their sins as old soldiers are of their battles and wounds.[5]

This reminds us of certain "witnessing for Christ" that goes on at the present time in some churches, in which members more eloquently confess their sins than they confess the Christ.

Barnes identified the following four paragraphs in the psalm: (1) thanksgiving for deliverance (Psalms 34:1-6); (2) from his experience, he invites others to join in praise (Psalms 34:7-10); (3) special instructions and exhortations for the young to trust in God (Psalms 34:11-14); (4) a general summary of the security, joys, and protection for those who truly rely upon God (Psalms 34:15-22).[6]

Psalms 34:1-6

"I will bless Jehovah at all times:

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in Jehovah:

The meek shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify Jehovah with me,

And let us exalt his name together.

I sought Jehovah, and he answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

They looked unto him, and were radiant;

And their faces shall never be confounded.

This poor man cried, and Jehovah heard him,

And saved him out of all his troubles."

"I will bless Jehovah at all times ... continually" (Psalms 34:1). This indicates David's purpose of praising God under all circumstances. Such continual prayer and thanksgiving are also required of Christians. "Giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus" (Ephesians 5:20) and "Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), are New Testament references to this obligation.

Of course, what is required is a life of consistent prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, not that a child of God should remain on his knees constantly. Any life that remembers and honors God morning, noon, and evening is fulfilling what is required here.

"My soul ... shall boast in Jehovah" (Psalms 34:2). Our boasting should never be "in self or worldly goods."[7] Not in fame, fortune, success, beauty, strength, youth, family, honors, reputation, or anything else, should the child of God receive in his heart as that which is most prized and appreciated; but the fact that one is privileged to be called God's child "in Christ," that is the greatest thing.

"O Magnify Jehovah with me" (Psalms 34:3). "We cannot add to God's glory; he is infinite, eternal, and changeless. Nothing that feeble men can do is capable of either increasing or diminishing the glory of God. However, his name may be said to grow in glory as it is made known; and his character will stand higher in the sight of men as he becomes more and more the supreme object of trust and love."[8]

"I sought Jehovah, and he answered me" (Psalms 34:4). What a strange affinity these words have with Jonah 2:2. The surprise and shock of the child of God when God answers his prayer is equaled only by the joyful remembrance of it.

"They looked unto him, and were radiant" (Psalms 34:5). There is indeed a radiance in the countenance of Christians that is clearly discernible, contrasting sharply with the "fallen countenances" of the wicked. The New Testament tells us that when the rich young ruler decided against Jesus, that, "His countenance fell" (Mark 10:22). Fallen countenances are visible by the hundreds every day on every street corner.

But there is a spiritual likeness in the face of every true Christian to that of Moses whose face shone when he came down from the mountain, and like Stephen when he addressed the mob that murdered him in Jerusalem, of whom Luke tells us that, "All that sat in the council saw his face as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15).

"This poor man cried" (Psalms 34:6). The poor man here is none other than David himself. Yes, he was indeed poor, hated and driven from the court of King Saul, hunted like a wild beast, deserted by friends and neighbors, everyone afraid to be seen in his presence or to come near him. Yes, at the time of this psalm David was indeed poor.