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Verse Takeaways
1
More Than Just Avoiding Sin
Commentators unanimously highlight that this verse presents a two-part command for a holy life. It's not enough to simply 'depart from evil' (the negative command). One must also actively 'do good' (the positive command). As Charles Spurgeon explains, the only way to keep evil out is to fill the soul with good. True righteousness involves both abstaining from sin and proactively engaging in acts of kindness and service.
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Book Overview
Psalms
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Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On Psalms 34:14
18th Century
Theologian
Depart from evil - From all evil; from vice and crime in every form.
And do good - Do good to all people, and in all the relat…
Charles Ellicott
On Psalms 34:14
19th Century
Bishop
And do good. —Negative goodness is not sufficient. Practical good must be added.
Charles Spurgeon
On Psalm 34:14
19th Century
Preacher
Depart from evil and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
A great deal is packed into that brief statement. There is the negative, <…
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John Calvin
On Psalms 34:14
16th Century
Theologian
Turn away from evil, and do good. Here the Psalmist commands the children of God to abstain from all evil and to devote themselves to the …
John Gill
On Psalms 34:14
17th Century
Pastor
Depart from evil
This denotes that evil is near to men; it keeps close to them, and should be declined and shunned: …
Matthew Henry
On Psalms 34:11–22
17th Century
Minister
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 …