Psalm 34
God's never-failing care demands unfailing praise.
Sheltered beneath the refuge of His wings, may we sing gratefully!
1, 2. "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise
shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord;
the humble shall hear of it and be glad."
We hear the voice of Jesus. On earth He dwelt in prayer
and praise. Shall the Head thus speak, and shall not each member lengthen
out the strain? No moment comes which bears not blessings on its wings. Let
each moment carry back thanksgivings. We should be ceaseless in telling out
our mercies, that the lowly sons of God may be witnesses of our joys.
3, 4, 5, 6. "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us
exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered
me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were lightened; and their faces
were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him
out of all his troubles."
This precious record of experience is common to the whole
family of faith. They have the common portion of fear and trouble; but in
all distress their course is the same. They seek the Lord. They turn their
eyes to Him. To Him they raise the suppliant cry. They all are gladdened by
the like result. They are all heard—relieved, delivered, saved. They never
hang their heads depressed in shame. Oh! happy people! happy lot! One, also,
is their grateful task. They call on all around to swell their praise.
7. "The angel of the Lord encamps round about those
who fear Him, and delivers them."
If eyes were opened to behold surrounding scenes, what
companies of heavenly guards would brightly shine around! Their ministering
aid averts innumerable evils. They were sent in support to our glorious
Head. Unseen, as truly their camp defends us.
8, 9, 10. "O taste and see that the Lord is good!
blessed is the man who trusts in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints; for
there is no lack to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer
hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing."
Heavenly counsels call us to know by glad experience the
goodness of the Lord. The cup is brought to our very lips. We are invited to
exhaust these waters of delight. The strongest in their strength may suffer
famine; but all abundance of real food is the rich table of the humble
saint.
11. "Come, you children, listen to Me; I will teach
you the fear of the Lord."
The heart of Jesus calls us children. He bids us to sit
as children at His feet. Blessed are the lessons of His lips! The foremost
is the fear of God. Oh, may we truly learn that fear!
12, 13, 14. "What man is he who desires life, and
loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your
lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and
pursue it."
The love of earthly life is natural to man; but life
eternal is to see the goodness and the glory of the Lord. This is the result
of grace. Where grace is freely given, the evidence is surely seen. It is no
barren tree. The lips are guarded. The tongue is free from deceit. The ways
of the Lord are diligently sought. The peaceable fruits of righteousness
abound.
15, 16, 17, 18. "The eyes of the Lord are upon the
righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is
against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the
earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all
their troubles. The Lord is near to those who are of a broken heart; and
saves such as are of a contrite spirit."
Delight in prayer is evidence of grace. The righteous
cannot be silent. The watchful Lord hears every movement of their humble
spirits. He quickly comes to bind up the mourning heart, and to deliver from
the grasp of sorrow.
How sad is the reverse of this sweet picture! There is a
multitude who throng the paths of evil. The Lord's averted look to them is
misery and death.
19, 20. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous but
the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all His bones; not one of
them is broken."
Jesus at once appears. We learn from this particular, to
seek Him throughout these hymns. He never is far distant from the eye
of faith. When He was lifted up on the cross, the soldiers drew near to
break His legs; but He was marvelously dead, and so they touched Him not. He
drank to the dregs the cup of sorrow; but sorrow issued in eternal joy.
Believers tread, also, the path of countless sorrows, but
they lead to everlasting rest. No vital injury ensues. The Lord restrains
the malice of the foe. There may be many wounds, but they are not to death.
21 ,22. "Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who
hate the righteous shall be desolate. The Lord redeems the soul of His
servants; and none of those who trust in Him shall be desolate."
The wicked embrace evil. It is a viper which will suck
their blood. They greedily drink the cup, but it is deadly poison. Oh! seek
the Lord. He gives His Son to be complete redemption. He gives the joy of
His presence now. There is now no lonely day, and soon there will be union
to the vast company of the countless saved. May we be there!