Introduction to Psalm 34

The setting appears to be from 1 Samuel 21 when David and his mighty men go into exile, into the wilderness and eventually into a cave as they run from Saul’s devilish pursuit.

As a psalmist, David writes a song encouraging himself and his mighty men (and later generations including today’s readers) by rehearsing YHWH’s faithfulness to the people who fear Him.

In 22 verses, the psalmist will use the name YHWH 16 times. The name YHWH (usually rendered LORD) is the name divinely revealed to Moses (Ex 3:12-15Ex 3:12-15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. ¹³ And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? ¹⁴ And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. ¹⁵ And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.  

WP-Bible plugin), referring to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The name serves as a constant reminder that Israel is blessed by God because He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In the wilderness Israel is taught to trust in the God who keeps His word. No matter what the circumstances look like, they must trust in His covenant faithfulness. When facing dire threats, the psalmist recounts the faithfulness of YHWH to the descendants of Abraham.

In the New Testament, Paul argues that the children of Abraham are children on the basis of promise and faith and not bloodline (Romans 6, 9:6-8Romans 6, 9:6-8
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9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  

WP-Bible plugin; Galatians 3:7Galatians 3:7
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7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  

WP-Bible plugin). So this psalm becomes a song of encouragement for the people of the covenant who through faith inherit the promises (Galatians 3:14-18Galatians 3:14-18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ¹⁵ Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. covenant: or, testament ¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ¹⁷ And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  

WP-Bible plugin).

And what are the promises to Abraham? He will be great, his name will be great, he will be blessed and through him all the nations will be blessed. In Christ, these promises are fulfilled and now the people of God are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3Ephesians 1:3
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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: places: or, things  

WP-Bible plugin) and are sent out to bless all nations and all peoples in Christ.

Now as we read and sing Psalm 34, we read and sing it as children of the promise who are blessed and called to bless in and through Christ Jesus.

Themes in Psalm 34

The psalmist rehearses God’s faithfulness in song through several themes that appear to ripple outward in the song. He begins with praising God at all times and encouraging those around him to join in songs of praise (vs. 1-3). Then he reminds them that God does hear and respond to the cries of His people. The flow of His radiant blessings will encourage and surround God’s people with joy and protection (vs. 4-7). The people of God can feast in the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. Even the greatest hunter animals are not as secure in provision as God’s covenant people (vs. 8-10) who ultimately feast upon the body and blood of the Lord. The covenant people of God walk in the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is a deeply layered idea that is rooted in trust and love while being expressed in actions of obedience to the commands of God. The sermons of Deuteronomy connect observance of the commandments with the fear of God (4:10), wisdom (4:6), love (6:1-9), and promise (4:1). The psalmist will follow this pattern by teaching that fear of God is expressed by our observance of the commandments (vs. 11-14). In the end, the psalmist assures God’s people that they will be vindicated by God’s faithfulness. Their cries are and will be heard, and God will ultimately vindicate His people and bring judgment to the wicked (15-22).

Today, the people of God in Christ continue to sing this psalm of encouragement, resting in the faithfulness of the Lord. Jesus also asked up to express our love to Him by obeying the commandments (John 14:15John 14:15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.  

WP-Bible plugin), and then reminds us that His new command extends beyond the expectations of the 10 commandments by requiring us to love as He loved (laying down our lives for another – John 13:34John 13:34
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  

WP-Bible plugin; John 15:12-14John 15:12-14
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12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  

WP-Bible plugin; Philippians 2:5-11Philippians 2:5-11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. fashion: or habit ⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

WP-Bible plugin). As we obey His Word by the power of His Spirit, we live in joy and hope and expectation of His complete faithfulness to vindicate us and reveal His radiant glory in us.

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