Showing posts with label Psalm 34. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 34. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Psalm Meditation 1324
¶Proper 26
¶November 2, 2025
¶Psalm 34
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034&version=NRSVUE
¶Thankfulness leads to richer, fuller, deeper thankfulness in the same way that cynicism and negativity are breeding grounds for deepening cynicism and negativity. In this psalm, the choice is for thankfulness. Does choosing thankfulness mean that we ignore evil in the world knowing that it will all be hunky dory in the end? No. Choosing to be thankful means that we focus on the good things that make the world around us more bearable. As Mr. Rogers’ mother told him, ‘look for the helpers in troubled times.’ There are always people who look for ways to help others in every time and space.
¶The psalmist says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” I am convinced that God is ready and willing to answer any and all who ask, and it is those who seek the LORD who give credit to God. However we believe good things happen in our lives, we can be grateful that they do. Thankfulness is not confined to those of us in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Anyone can be thankful, and anyone can lead a life of thankfulness. God recognizes gratitude wherever it abides.
¶“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.” Do we get plucked out of our afflictions or do we see that we are not alone in them no matter what? I believe it is the second choice. God rarely removes us from trouble, and is more likely to invite us to take refuge in the shelter of God’s presence. Somehow, knowing that we are not alone makes any trouble or affliction more bearable.
¶October 28, 2025
¶LCM
Monday, January 23, 2023
Psalm Meditation 1180
¶Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
¶January 29, 2023
¶Psalm 34
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+34&version=NRSVUE
(NRSV)
¶We like to think that it is God’s job to save us from everything unpleasant about life in this world. We want to be saved from sitting next to people we don’t like, especially when everyone is in close quarters. We want to be protected from people who are scary to us, folks we are afraid will do us some kind of lasting harm. It may not occur to us that some of those people are praying to be protected from us, and whatever it is about us that fills them with fear and dread.
¶God is not going to save us from every scary person, event, or situation. God may even push, prod, and cajole us into some of those as teachable moments. The salvation that will come to us in fearful situations is the reminder that God is with us in this and every time and place. Even if we are injured or die, the presence of the God is there to hold us in every circumstance. We may not even be aware of the ways that God is present among us. It could be a person, a breeze, a spark of imagination, and any number of other ways of being present.
¶God is far beyond our ability to imagine and comprehend. Just as God can be all places at once, so can God be with folks on every side of a fearful situation. God loves us beyond measure and redeems us from all manner of trouble. It may not be the way we would expect or appreciate being loved and redeemed, however God is with us as a loving presence in every time and place. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.”
¶January 23, 2023
¶LCM
Monday, March 30, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1033
Palm/Passion Sunday
April 5, 2020
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
We are tempted to believe that ours is the worst time ever. There is more death, destruction, sin, and pestilence than ever before. What makes this interesting is that every time has seen their time as the worst ever. What that likely means is that humans have a dependable mix of good and evil in ourselves as individuals and as a group. As new methods of discovering and spreading news of human activity begin, we think we have found new ways to sin. In reality, we have uncovered things that have always gone on.
The psalmist is not here to dispute or even point out the variety of ways that humans sin, the psalmist is here to encourage us to focus and concentrate on God. Yes, there is sin and evil in the world and it is always good to have an awareness of what is going on around us. However, if you want to have a good and long life, it is better to have your attention on God and on the ways of God. When asked what has contributed to their long life, centenarians answer with things that have given them joy and pleasure. Those things may not be good for them, but the joy they bring to their lives is.
Want to live a good, long life? Find things that give you joy and pleasure, and practice those with all the gusto possible. Want to live a good, long life in the presence of God? “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” If you follow the psalmist’s advice because you should, very likely you will be miserable through your life. If you find joy in doing good, seeking peace, and pursuing it, you will be able to, “taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.”
March 30, 2020
LCM
Palm/Passion Sunday
April 5, 2020
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
We are tempted to believe that ours is the worst time ever. There is more death, destruction, sin, and pestilence than ever before. What makes this interesting is that every time has seen their time as the worst ever. What that likely means is that humans have a dependable mix of good and evil in ourselves as individuals and as a group. As new methods of discovering and spreading news of human activity begin, we think we have found new ways to sin. In reality, we have uncovered things that have always gone on.
The psalmist is not here to dispute or even point out the variety of ways that humans sin, the psalmist is here to encourage us to focus and concentrate on God. Yes, there is sin and evil in the world and it is always good to have an awareness of what is going on around us. However, if you want to have a good and long life, it is better to have your attention on God and on the ways of God. When asked what has contributed to their long life, centenarians answer with things that have given them joy and pleasure. Those things may not be good for them, but the joy they bring to their lives is.
Want to live a good, long life? Find things that give you joy and pleasure, and practice those with all the gusto possible. Want to live a good, long life in the presence of God? “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” If you follow the psalmist’s advice because you should, very likely you will be miserable through your life. If you find joy in doing good, seeking peace, and pursuing it, you will be able to, “taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.”
March 30, 2020
LCM
Monday, March 26, 2018
Psalm Meditation 928
Easter
April 1, 2018
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
When I was younger my mother and brothers would tell me to slow my pace while eating. They would ask if I even took time to taste my food and I thought that I did. I discovered eventually that I was eating way too fast and that I was not getting the full benefit of the food I was eating. When I am aware of my eating I find much more enjoyment in it than I do when I shovel it in as if I am in a race. This may be a part of why the instruction to taste and see that the LORD is good catches my attention.
There is a treat for the senses in the presence of God. There is a savor to being with God that delights the tongue in the way a favorite food impacts the taste receptors of the body. It is an indescribable and undeniable part of being with God. It is satisfying even as it creates a longing for more with each bite. With food there comes a point at which the body signals fullness and the eating stops. With God the taste draws us to want more since there is no sense of fullness as we ‘taste and see that the LORD is good.’
While we may be tempted to devour the presence of God, there is something to the advice my family gave me. Take the time to taste and savor the presence of God. Enjoy the various aspects of a delightful experience of taste that comes from being with God. Find comfort in God the way a comfort food gives a sense of love and belonging when we are most in need of that kind of comfort. “O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.”
March 26, 2018
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Easter
April 1, 2018
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
When I was younger my mother and brothers would tell me to slow my pace while eating. They would ask if I even took time to taste my food and I thought that I did. I discovered eventually that I was eating way too fast and that I was not getting the full benefit of the food I was eating. When I am aware of my eating I find much more enjoyment in it than I do when I shovel it in as if I am in a race. This may be a part of why the instruction to taste and see that the LORD is good catches my attention.
There is a treat for the senses in the presence of God. There is a savor to being with God that delights the tongue in the way a favorite food impacts the taste receptors of the body. It is an indescribable and undeniable part of being with God. It is satisfying even as it creates a longing for more with each bite. With food there comes a point at which the body signals fullness and the eating stops. With God the taste draws us to want more since there is no sense of fullness as we ‘taste and see that the LORD is good.’
While we may be tempted to devour the presence of God, there is something to the advice my family gave me. Take the time to taste and savor the presence of God. Enjoy the various aspects of a delightful experience of taste that comes from being with God. Find comfort in God the way a comfort food gives a sense of love and belonging when we are most in need of that kind of comfort. “O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.”
March 26, 2018
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 25, 2015
Psalm Meditation 780
Trinity Sunday
May 31, 2015
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
There are folks who appoint themselves as guardians of groups for a number of reasons, two of them rise to importance for this psalm. Some folks are the guardians of the group in order to enforce the rules. They watch over us to make sure we do all the right things and none of the wrong things. They are watching over us as judges, waiting for us to screw up so that they can pass judgment on us. Their prime function is to protect the rules from any infraction we may cause. Rules are more important than people in the minds of those who go to the farthest extreme of this position.
The other group of guardians are there to protect the members of the group out of love for us. They want us to succeed, they want us to do well, they want us to be the best we can possibly be. A lot of parents fit into this category, though we see them as being in the first one for many years of our lives. These folks know that the rules are there to keep folks safe and can be a way of letting folks know they are loved. These folks claim the task of providing a safe place for exploration and experimentation to take place. Most rules are seen as guidelines to keep us from being hurt or causing hurt.
According to the psalmist, God is in the second group. God is present to hear, rescue and save those whose intent is to be righteous. It is entirely possible that God will hear, save and rescue folks with whom we disagree. It can be annoying to see God at work in the lives of those on the other side of our in house squabbles. As tempting as it may be to demonize all of ‘those’ people, there is some righteousness in seeing God at work in places we do not feel comfortable. It serves as a reminder that people are more important than rules. “The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”
May 25, 2015
LCM
Trinity Sunday
May 31, 2015
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
There are folks who appoint themselves as guardians of groups for a number of reasons, two of them rise to importance for this psalm. Some folks are the guardians of the group in order to enforce the rules. They watch over us to make sure we do all the right things and none of the wrong things. They are watching over us as judges, waiting for us to screw up so that they can pass judgment on us. Their prime function is to protect the rules from any infraction we may cause. Rules are more important than people in the minds of those who go to the farthest extreme of this position.
The other group of guardians are there to protect the members of the group out of love for us. They want us to succeed, they want us to do well, they want us to be the best we can possibly be. A lot of parents fit into this category, though we see them as being in the first one for many years of our lives. These folks know that the rules are there to keep folks safe and can be a way of letting folks know they are loved. These folks claim the task of providing a safe place for exploration and experimentation to take place. Most rules are seen as guidelines to keep us from being hurt or causing hurt.
According to the psalmist, God is in the second group. God is present to hear, rescue and save those whose intent is to be righteous. It is entirely possible that God will hear, save and rescue folks with whom we disagree. It can be annoying to see God at work in the lives of those on the other side of our in house squabbles. As tempting as it may be to demonize all of ‘those’ people, there is some righteousness in seeing God at work in places we do not feel comfortable. It serves as a reminder that people are more important than rules. “The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”
May 25, 2015
LCM
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