Psalms 34:14

14 Turn away from evil! Do good! Seek peace and go after it!

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 Do you love life; do you relish the chance to enjoy good things?

13 Then you must keep your tongue from evil and keep your lips from speaking lies!

14 Turn away from evil! Do good! Seek peace and go after it!

15 The LORD's eyes watch the righteous, his ears listen to their cries for help.

16 But the LORD's face is set against those who do evil, to eliminate even the memory of them from the earth.