Psalm 34
Sunday, 9 October 2022
“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” – Psalm 34:1
A Psalm written by David during a time of great challenge but one of great trust in God and hope. He has experienced the Lord’s deliverance and is full of praise to Him and exhorts others to put their trust in God. Let us meditate on the 4 ‘C’s through this familiar Psalm by David.
A Commitment to Praise (Vs.1-7)
The very first verse exhorts us to praise God at all times! We are not just called to praise God when everything was well with us but when we had those rough rides too! Paul encourages us in 1 Thes. 5:18: “…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Count your blessings from the Lord the past year and give thanks! Now think of the afflictions/times of “lows” and how you cried out to Him! Give thanks to God for He brought you through! Praise God! Thank Him for the “good” He churned out of the difficult times you went through! Steps of faith were learnt when it was hard to trust….your fears were times to trust Him more! The Lord’s presence was felt more than ever when you were alone! In everything give thanks! Let our life be one of constant praise to our Maker and Sustainer!
A Charge to Trust (Vs.8-14)
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (V.8). After experiencing the goodness of God in his life, the Psalmist urges the reader to taste, fear and seek the LORD for himself! The verses are an instruction from him. Unless one eats an orange, you would never know how it tastes like…the same goes with trusting the LORD! The Psalmist says from his experience those who seek the Lord lack no good thing! Unless you seek Him for yourself…there is no finding out! See for yourself the blessedness of trusting Jesus who laid down His life to give you eternal life!
A Confidence for Prayer (Vs.15-18)
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.”(V.15).The Lord hears when the righteous cry! He is near to the brokenhearted! What a confidence for those made righteous by the blood of Christ! (1Peter1:18,19). Our Father in heaven is concerned not just about our big matters but even our small ones. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb.4:16)
A Certainty of Hope (Vs.19-22)
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.”(V.19). Troubles and afflictions are the portion of both the righteous man and the worldly man, in this fallen world we live in. But the difference in the lives of God’s children, is that the Lord brings them through victoriously. 2Cor.2:14 says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” That’s the hope of a believer! We know the author of our life and His Word has already stated how the ending would be…a glorious future each of us can look forward to with Him!
In all seasons of life, let us commit our lives to praise God at all times; let us taste and trust Him more; let us have confidence that He hears when we pray and a hope in Him that He will lead us triumphantly through every situation we pass through! May our walk with Jesus Christ, our Saviour and LORD be sweeter in the days ahead!
Promise: “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”- Psalm 9:10
Listen: 'Bless the LORD O my soul'
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