Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 34
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 34
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 34
"I will bless Jehovah at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in Jehovah: The meek shall hear thereof, and be glad. Oh magnify Jehovah with me, And let us exalt his name together. I sought Jehovah, and he answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were radiant; And their faces shall never be confounded. This poor man cried, and Jehovah heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him. Oh fear Jehovah, ye his saints; For there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; But they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing." — Psalms 34:1-10 (ASV)
If we hope to spend eternity in praising God, it is fitting that we should spend much of our time here in this work. He never said to anyone, Seek ye me in vain. David's prayers helped to silence his fears; many besides him have looked to the Lord by faith and prayer, and it has wonderfully revived and comforted them. When we look to the world, we are perplexed, and at a loss.
But our whole salvation depends on looking to Christ, and all things necessary for it depend on that as well. This poor man, whom no one looked upon with any respect, or looked after with any concern, was still welcome to the throne of grace; the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The holy angels minister to the saints, and stand for them against the powers of darkness.
All the glory be to the Lord of the angels. Through taste and sight, we both make discoveries, and experience enjoyment; Taste and see God's goodness; take notice of it, and take comfort from it. He makes all who trust in him truly blessed. As for the things of the other world, they will have sufficient grace for the support of spiritual life.
And as for this life, they will have what is necessary from the hand of God. Paul had all, and abounded, because he was content (Philippians 4:11–18). Those who trust in themselves, and think their own efforts sufficient for them, will lack; but those who trust in the Lord will be fed. Those who work with quietness and mind their own business will not lack.
"Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah. What man is he that desireth life, And loveth [many] days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous, And his ears are [open] unto their cry. The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. [The righteous] cried, and Jehovah heard, And delivered them out of all their troubles. Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked; And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned. Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; And none of them that take refuge in him shall be condemned. " — Psalms 34:11-22 (ASV)
Let young people set out in life by learning the fear of the Lord, if they desire true comfort here and eternal happiness hereafter. Those will be most happy who begin soonest to serve so good a Master. All aim to be happy. Surely this aspiration must look further than the present world, for human life on earth consists of only a few days, and those days are full of trouble.
What person is there who desires to see that good life where all bliss is perfect? Alas! Few have this good in their thoughts. The religion that promises best is the one that cultivates watchfulness over the heart and over the tongue. It is not enough not to do harm; we must strive to be useful and to live for a purpose. We must seek peace and pursue it, being willing to deny ourselves a great deal for peace's sake.
It is the constant practice of real believers, when in distress, to cry out to God, and it is their constant comfort that He hears them. The righteous are humbled for sin, and are low in their own eyes. Nothing is more necessary for true godliness than a contrite heart, broken from all self-confidence. In this soil, every grace will flourish, and nothing can encourage such a person but the free, rich grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The righteous are taken under the special protection of the Lord, yet they have their share of crosses in this world, and there are those who hate them.
Both from the mercy of Heaven and the malice of hell, the afflictions of the righteous must be many. But whatever troubles befall them, they shall not harm their souls, for God keeps them from sinning in their troubles. No one is desolate except the one whom God has forsaken.
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