Psalms 34

₁I will always thank the LORD;

I will never stop praising him.

₂I will praise him for what he has done;

may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!

₃Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness;

let us praise his name together!

₄I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me;

he freed me from all my fears.

₅The oppressed look to him and are glad;

they will never be disappointed.

₆The helpless call to him, and he answers;

he saves them from all their troubles.

₇His angel guards those who honour the LORD

and rescues them from danger.

₈Find out for yourself how good the LORD is.

Happy are those who find safety with him.

₉Honour the LORD, all his people;

those who obey him have all they need.

₁₀Even lions go hungry for lack of food,

but those who obey the LORD lack nothing good.

₁₁Come, my young friends, and listen to me,

and I will teach you to honour the LORD.

₁₂Would you like to enjoy life?

Do you want long life and happiness?

₁₃Then hold back from speaking evil

and from telling lies.

₁₄Turn away from evil and do good;

strive for peace with all your heart.

₁₅The LORD watches over the righteous

and listens to their cries;

₁₆but he opposes those who do evil,

so that when they die, they are soon forgotten.

₁₇The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens;

he rescues them from all their troubles.

₁₈The LORD is near to those who are discouraged;

he saves those who have lost all hope.

₁₉Good people suffer many troubles,

but the LORD saves them from them all;

₂₀the LORD preserves them completely;

not one of their bones is broken.

₂₁Evil will kill the wicked;

those who hate the righteous will be punished.

₂₂The LORD will save his people;

those who go to him for protection will be spared.