Answered Prayer

I (David) will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly (continually) speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless (discouraged and humble) take heart (be glad). Come, (glorify or magnify) let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His Name together. I prayed to (cried out, inquired and sought) the Lord, and He answered (heard) me. He freed (delivered) me from all my fears. Those who look to Him (God) for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed (cried out to the Lord), and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the Angel of the Lord (God’s Presence) is a guard (encamps around); He surrounds and defends all who fear (worship and reverence) Him (God). Taste and see that the Lord is good (and kind). Oh, the joys of those (blessed) who take refuge in Him (God)!  Fear the Lord, you His godly people (saints), for those who fear (revere and worship) Him (God) will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in (seek and reverence) the Lord will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me (David), and I will teach you to fear (and trust) the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous (a desire to see many good days)? Then keep (or watch) your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil (and sin) and (spend your time to) do good. Search for (seek) peace, and work to (purse) maintain it. The eyes of the Lord (intently) watch over those who do right (righteous); His ears are open (attentive and gives attention) to their cries for help. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil; He will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues (saves) them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted (broken); He rescues those whose spirits are crushed (humble and thoroughly repentant for their sins). The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue (delivers) each time. For the Lord protects (keeps) the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned (found guilty). Psalms 34:1-22 (NLT).

Psalms 34 is wisdom psalm filled with praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 34:1-7) that celebrates God’s care and protection of the godly (those who trust God) (Psalms 34:7; see also Exodus 14:19-20).  This psalm encourages everyone to seek God and place themselves under the protection of God’s angel (God’s Presence) (Psalms 34:8-14). God pays attention to those who call on and cry out to Him in prayer. The apostle Peter in the New Testament quotes Psalms 34:12-16 in his instructions for peaceful living (1 Peter 3:10-12).

Wisdom contains three main ingredients: “fearing the Lord” (Psalms 34:11), doing good (Psalm 34:14), and rejecting or fleeing evil (Psalm 34:13). God shows His concern for the wise by answering their prayers and rescuing them from their troubles (Psalm 34:15, 17-20), but He destroys the wicked and evil (Psalm 34:16, 21).  The godly might experience suffering and pain.  However, God promises He will deliver and save the godly while ultimately the wicked and evil will perish (Psalm 1:6; Psalm 34:15-16).

“Fear of the Lord” is a phrase frequently found in the Old Testament. However, this phrase does not necessarily mean we should be frightened of the Lord. “Fear of the Lord” gradually became a standard phrase for a good and healthy relationship with God. A good relationship with God begins with a reverent sense that God is all powerful and righteous. “Fear of the Lord” includes reverence, dependence, and respect for God that leads to a life of wisdom (Psalms 34:9-13; Psalm 51:17 see also Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10). Even more, “fear of the Lord” leads to a deep sense of security in an all-powerful, all-wise and all-knowing God.