Psalms 34:14

14 Be turned from evil, and do good; make a search for peace, desiring it with all your heart.

Psalms 34:14 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:14

Depart from evil
This denotes that evil is near to men; it keeps close to them, and should be declined and shunned: and it regards all sorts of evil; evil men, and their evil company; evil things, evil words and works, and all appearance of evil; and the fear of the Lord shows itself in an hatred of it, and a departure from it, ( Proverbs 8:13 ) ( 16:6 ) ;

and do good;
not only acts of beneficence to all in necessitous circumstances, but every good work; whatever the word of God directs, or suggests should be done; and which should be done from right principles of faith and love, and to right ends, the glory of God, and the good of his interest; and Christ should be looked and applied unto for grace and strength to perform; all which are evidences of the true fear of God;

seek peace, and pursue it;
in the world, and with all men, as much as possibly can be; in neighbourhoods, cities, and states, and in the churches of Christ, and with the saints, as well as with God through Christ; and which in every sense is to be pursued after with eagerness, and to be endeavoured for with diligence; see ( Romans 12:18 ) ( 14:19 ) ( Hebrews 12:14 ) .

Psalms 34:14 In-Context

12 What man has a love of life, and a desire that his days may be increased so that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from words of deceit.

14 Be turned from evil, and do good; make a search for peace, desiring it with all your heart.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to take away the memory of them from the earth.