Psalms 34:1

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 [a][b]I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Images for Psalms 34:1

Psalms 34:1 in Other Translations

KJV
1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
ESV
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
NLT
1 I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
MSG
1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
CSB
1 I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

Psalms 34:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:1

I will bless the Lord at all times
That is, ascribe blessing, give honour, praise, and glory to him, both as the God of nature and providence, for every temporal mercy; and that every day, and at all times in the day; since these are renewed every morning, and continue all the day long: and as the God of grace, for all spiritual blessings; and that continually, because these last always; they are irreversible, unchangeable, and without repentance; yea, saints have reason to bless God in times of adversity as well as prosperity, since it might have been worse with them than it is; they have a mixture of mercy in all, and all things work together for their good;

his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth;
not the "praise" of which God is the author, but of which he is the object; which is due unto him, and is given him on account of the perfections of his nature, and the works of his hands, and the blessings of his providence and grace; this, the psalmist says, should be in his mouth: his meaning is, that he should not only retain in his heart a grateful sense of the divine favours, but should express it with his lips; should both make melody in his heart to the Lord, and vocally sing his praise; and that "continually", as long as he lived, or had any being, ( Psalms 146:2 ) .

Psalms 34:1 In-Context

1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 71:6; S Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  • [b]. In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.