Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 34:1-10
“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”
David wrote Psalm 34 at a very desperate time in his life. The king of Israel, Saul, was trying to kill him so he lived in hiding. At one point, he fled to the Philistines, the bitter enemies of David’s people, the Israelites. Also, not long before David had killed the great Philistine warrior, Goliath. David was an outlaw no matter where he went. So what did he do? He acted crazy so that the Philistines would not kill him! (See 1 Sam. 21:8-15). Then he wrote Psalm 34 praising God’s protection for those who fear God more than anyone else. Maybe life does not turn out the way we want or expect, but David knew God was still at work bringing about His plan of salvation. Are you afraid, frustrated, or simply confused by the challenges facing you day in and day out? Faith is a relationship with a God who promises to be with us and save us, even from death itself. It might seem a little crazy, but God invites us to trust that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”.