Can We Really “Bless the Lord at All Times” as Psalm 34 Says?

Poetry is good for spiritual enrichment, education, and communication. In the Bible, it can also be prophetic, and holds deep cultural significance. It is particularly intriguing when one of the psalms is referenced in the New Testament.

Psalm 34 is full of wisdom and it is cited several times by the Apostles. One of the Psalms of David, it focuses on dedicating someone’s life to God, and leaning on Him even during hard times. It is a psalm of renewal, written as David was coming out of a difficult situation and having to face pain later in his life. It is written from the perspective of a teacher, perhaps even of a father, to impart to future generations the importance of magnifying God in all things.

The first verse declares, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). Blessing God all the time can seem like an impossibility. Life is hard. With support from the Holy Spirit, Christians can grow closer to the Lord, see how He is working in all circumstances, and make praising Him continually a joyous part of life.

What Does Psalm 34 Mean?

Psalm 34 is a psalm that focuses on the goodness of God, and passing on a love and fear of the Lord to the next generation. The first verse is “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). This verse is a declaration of the goodness of God, and the appropriate response to that goodness.

God’s character is perfect, and He pursues a loving relationship with people, even though they live in sinful rebellion. “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6b-7a). Is this psalm, the writer blesses the Lord for loving His servant, for protecting him, and for His enduring goodness. It is also a moment recognizing the extent of God’s greatness and that He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.

What Is the Context of Psalm 34?

Psalm 34 is a Psalm of David, written as he was coming out of an odd moment in his life. It is often subtitled, “Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away” (Psalm 34).

David was on the run from King Saul and went into Gath where he planned to hide. Unfortunately, he was recognized by people who worked for the King of Gath - known either as Achish or Abimelech. David acted crazy so the king would not pay any attention to him, and it worked. In this psalm, David was praising God for the protection.

He retreated to a cave where he was able to meet with his family. “David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him” (1 Samuel 22:1). Throughout this period of his life, David was constantly on the run, and witnessed God’s ability to deliver and provide firsthand.

The Psalm is full of reminders about God’s goodness, deliverance, and protection.

Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”

Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Psalm 34:22 “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

For those who find refuge in the Lord, accepting Jesus Christ as their savior and having a relationship with Him, there is eternal security and everlasting peace.

Can We Truly Bless the Lord All the Time?

It can seem like it is an impossible task to have praises to the Lord on one’s lips every moment of each day. What about sleeping? Eating? Working or parenting? It seems that David has set an impossible standard.

Of course, it can be assumed that David did not praise God at all times verbally, because as a king who was in the process of quashing a rebellion, he had other things to do. A realistic, non-literal, understanding of this sentiment of blessing the Lord at all times can be found in the Apostle Paul’s writings centuries later; “ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” We read also “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23). 

Writing to the church at Colossae, Paul emphasizes that whatever a believer does can be done for the glory of God. Carrying oneself with integrity, modesty, and striving to live a righteous life can make anything someone does an act of worship and a way to bless the Lord.

What Should We Do When We Find It Hard to Bless the Lord?

Sometimes it is hard to pursue a relationship with God, let alone have the heart posture and mindset required to bless Him continually. When things are difficult, when there is tremendous loss, when suffering is everywhere, it can be hard to see Him working, to feel His goodness, or to praise His name.

In trying times, it is important to rely on Bible passages like Psalm 34 which remind us of His constant presence, and that He is faithfully working even in the hard times. Another important step is to continue reaching out to Him in prayer, and to thank Him for past blessings, even if it feels like there are not any in the moment. Prioritizing the relationship with God will help His Spirit feel more present, and fight the desire to despair and give up.

Sometimes blessing God when it is hard involves sharing the sentiment that Jesus had in the Garden of Gethsemane, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42b). When this life is done, or when Jesus returns, it is comforting to remember, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him” (Revelation 22:3). There is always a reason to bless the Lord, even in the difficulties, when thinking about the future glory of eternity with the Lord.

David was a man who lived a life of excitement, achievement, deep despair, and sometimes even great wickedness. Throughout the Psalms he expressed his love for the Lord, striving to bless the Lord at all times. Today, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians can strive to do the same, living a life that is glorifying to God, and blessing Him in all circumstances.

Sources

Park, J.S. The Life of King David How God Works through Ordinary Outcasts and Extraordinary Sinners. The Way Everlasting Ministry, 2015. 

Dunn, James D.G and J.W. Rogerson. Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003.

Wilson, Ralph. Life of David Discipleship Lessons from 1 and 2 Samuel. JesusWalk Publications, 2012. 

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.