May 18, 2023 — Psalm 34 

“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. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:1-10 

“God knows our many weaknesses, and He understands how discouraged we can become. In Psalm after Psalm we are encouraged by the faithfulness of our God who never leaves us nor forsakes us. Look at verse 7: The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” (devotional-reflections-from-the-bible.com; Psalm 34)

“And let us exalt his name together”: the Psalmist begins by stating that his praise of G-d is continually in his mouth. Have you found yourself singing a hymn in your head — or being reminded of a piece of scripture as you go about your day — and soon realize you have been repeating it most of the day? By doing this you have had a mind of proclamation similar to what the Psalmist is suggesting — for by doing this, even if it has not been completely central in your mind, by making mention of G-d’s works or words, you have been exalting the Lord. And by praising G-d through song or words you have had the Lord on your lips and in your mouth all day.  

There is no better work for the Christian than to share of the wonderful things G-d has done for them. And by singing a hymn quietly to yourself, or by repeating a passage to yourself or even to someone you know well, you have joined in the sharing of the wonderful things that God has done, and may even bring someone else closer to G-d.

Prayer: O God, Spirit of truth, who spoke of old by kings and prophets, enlighten the eyes of our understanding, that we may read aright the psalms of Your servant David, learning from them that Jesus of Nazareth is He of whom the Scriptures spoke. Cause us ever more clearly to see that He, and He alone, is the Savior of our souls, that our heart may cling to Him alone.

Amen.