Cornerstone Church of Knoxville

I hope you're enjoying this series on The Psalms.  More importantly, I trust it's encouraging you to study and meditate on the psalms in your own personal devotional times. 

The psalms are deeply theological and intensly practical.  They speak to us in the midst of the stuff of real life, and they meet us wherever we are regardless of our circumstances.  Whether you are filled with joy or full of trouble, experiencing hardship or embracing blessings, fearful about your future or full of hope: the psalms are for you. 

That's why in my own devotional times, I've made it a practice to regularly be reading through the psalms every morning (in addition to other sections of Scripture, the psalms are a constant diet for me). 

Here's a psalm that I've continually returned to, and it speaks to me in every circumstance and in every situation -- Psalm 34.

This psalm begins with this statement:

"I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my

mouth."  (v.1)

See how comprehensive this statement is:  "I will bless the LORD at all times." This means that this psalm applies to me at all times.  And I'm so thankful that it does, because it's packed with encouragement and promises that always apply.

Psalm 34, like so many others, is written by David.  Maybe you remember the story behind this psalm...

David was destined to be the King of Israel, but he wasn't the King yet.  Saul was King, and as the King, one of Saul's driving ambitions was to kill David! (Saul was jealous of David and saw him as a threat to his own kingdom). 

Saul's son, Jonathan, was David's friend, and he had warned David that his dad wanted him dead (Now, it didn't take much to convince David of the danger because King Saul had already tried to spear him several times!). So to get away from Saul, David had fled to try to find a safe place to live.  He ended up going to a place called "Gath".  Gath was not part of Israel.  In fact, they were Israel's enemies, and it wasn't long before David's cover was blown and the people realized who he was.  When they did, they said of David:

"Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands." (1 Sam. 21:11).  

Now, not only was Saul against David, but the king of Gath was against him, as well.  So, what did David do?  He acted like a madman, let spit run down his beard, and started writing marks on the doors of the gate in Gath.  In other words, he pretended to be completely insane.  His plan worked, and the king of Gath let him go free.  After staring death in the face again, David wrote this psalm.  Doesn't it help to know the background here?  Man, I love the Bible! 

Now read Psalm 34 in that light.  It's a psalm of thanksgiving and praise.  David had been delivered by God, yet again, and he wanted to worship and praise him.  In fact, he wanted everyone to exalt God ("Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!" - v.3).

There's so much wealth of truth in this psalm, but here are a few brief things that serve me whenever I review it:

• God is always worthy of our praise, and because of that David committed to bless the LORD at all times -- "his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (V. 1).  I should make the same commitment

• When I'm in trouble, I should seek the LORD.  God answered David in his distress, and he'll answer me in mine (v. 4 -- "I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears").  Read verses 5, 7, 10, 19, 22.

• The whole world could be arrayed against me, but GOD ALMIGHTY hears me when I cry out to him.  (v. 15 -- "The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry"; v. 17 -- "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles").

This truth is perhaps the one that has served me the most from this psalm over the years.  I find myself praying these 2 scriptures very often and it encourages my faith when I pray.  God hears me when I cry out to him.  Not only that, but he has promised to deliver me out of all my troubles (v. 17; see also Psalm 50:15).  How amazing!  God is attentive to the cry of every Christian.  His eyes are toward us and his ears are inclined to our prayers.

So, what's troubling you today?  Have you told it to the Lord(v.4)? Have you asked for his help (v. 6)?  Have you asked Him to deliver you (v. 17)?

If you have been delivered from some trouble, have you turned back to thank Him (v. 1)?  Have you encouraged others with the testimony of God's grace toward you, so they can join you in giving Him praise (v. 3)?

Let's all join David and make it our aim that we will bless the LORD at all times and that his praise shall continually be in our mouths!