Psalm 34—Exalting the Lord Who Promises Refuge

Early in my journey of loss, I wrote about how Psalm 34 drives a stake in the ground. I wrote about the power of declaration. David declares that he will extol the Lord at all times. He declares that he will always be ready with praise.

All times. Always.

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” Psalm 34:1-3

David testifies that he sought God and was answered by God. He was delivered from all his fears.

All.

David explains a secret to walking through all times. If you look to the Lord, you will receive radiance from the Lord. Your shame will be removed. The Lord hears and saves from all troubles.

All.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8

David invites his people and us, his readers, to embrace his Lord. He invites us to taste and delight in the goodness of God. We who fear the Lord are blessed—we lack no good thing.

When facing loss, your ears are open and your heart is ready to learn. Come near to God in loss. Listen. He will teach you his awe-inspiring ways.

“What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:12-14

Who doesn’t want to see good days? Especially when you’re experiencing difficult days. David instructs his readers to keep your tongue from evil and lips from lies. And how many lies are told during loss? To you and maybe even by you. We must honor God by keeping our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking lies. David instructs us to pursue peace and turn from evil and do good.

David explains further that God’s eyes are on the righteous and his face is against the evil. The righteous cry and he hears. He is close to the brokenhearted. Hear that again: Your God is close to you when your heart is broken and your spirit is crushed.

Sometimes you need to remind yourself he is close to you when you’re brokenhearted. The righteous may and will have trouble in this life. No doubt. But the temporal is short-lived. James 4:14 reminds us, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” While you may endure brokenness in this temporal mist, the eternal breaks forth and deliverance is your reward. He is protected and will not be forever broken. The Lord will deliver them all.

All.

“The day thou fearest as the last is the birthday of eternity.” Seneca (Roman philosopher)

Not one of his saints will be condemned. The redemption of the Lord will rescue his people. Not one who turns to him for protection will be disappointed. Not one who turns to him will be condemned. We simply need to take refuge in him.

All of us.

“The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” Psalm 34:22