Psalms 34

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

1I will thank the LORD all the time. I will always praise him out loud.

2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

2Deep inside, I am proud of the LORD. People who are treated badly will hear it and be glad.

3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

3Tell how great the LORD is along with me. Let us lift up his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

4I asked the LORD for help. He answered me. He took away all my fears.

5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

5People who look to him shine with joy. They will never have to feel ashamed.

6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

6This poor man called out for help. The LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

7The angel of the LORD sets up camp around people who honor him. He keeps them safe.

Note"Fear" here means deep respect and awe, not being scared of God.

8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

8Taste and see that the LORD is good. The person who runs to him for safety is happy.

9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

9Honor the LORD, you who belong to him. People who honor him do not lack anything.

10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

10Even strong young lions go hungry sometimes. But people who look for the LORD have every good thing.

NoteThe old English says the lions "suffer hunger," which means they go hungry. It also says God's people shall not "want" anything, and "want" there means lack, not wish for.

11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

11Come, children, and listen to me. I will teach you how to honor the LORD.

12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

12Do you want to live a good, long life? Do you want to see happy days?

13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

13Then keep your tongue from saying evil things. Do not let your lips tell lies.

14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

14Turn away from what is wrong, and do good. Look for peace, and chase after it.

15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

15The LORD watches people who do what is right. He listens when they cry out to him.

16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

16But the LORD stands against people who do evil. He will wipe them from the memory of the earth.

17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

17People who do right cry out for help. The LORD hears them and saves them from every trouble.

18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

18The LORD stays close to people whose hearts are broken. He saves people who are sorry and crushed inside.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

19People who do right still have many hard times. But the LORD brings them safely through every one.

20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

20He keeps all their bones safe. Not one of them will be broken.

21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

21Evil will kill people who do wrong. People who hate the good will be punished.

22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

22The LORD rescues the lives of those who serve him. No one who hides in him will be punished.

NoteThe old English word here is "desolate," but it means found guilty and punished, not lonely.