"Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it."
Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem. It is the first Psalm which describes angels as guardians of the righteous. This poem talks about people wanting to have a good life but sometimes to achieve that we make bad choices, and we do bad things, we may cheat, lie or even steal. But a good life cannot be achieved that way. tells us how to achieve that life that we so desire.
Psalm 34 is attributed to David. David was a man of war, but he took time out of his busy life to counsel the young people in his land. He always prayed to the Lord for guidance. David declares his desire to praise the Lord, and expands his invitation to his people. In this verse, David talks about how to achieve a blessed existence. He’s not questioning whether we desire life, we all do; however, a spiritual life is what he may refer to. A life of prosperity, free from remorses and guilt, a life of faith and righteousness can only be achieved by being faithful to God. Because all the good things in life could not be truly enjoyed without the presence of God in our lives. A comfortable spiritual life without the fear of being condemned is a life lived in Christ.
In this verse David is trying to convey that the only way to achieve true happiness in this life and the next is to be kind, to watch what we say, especially if it hurts others. We must reject harmful behavior and choose actions that benefit others every chance we get. Pursue peace and happiness and most of all, honor God.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 34:18
Finding Our Way
David's words in offer a powerful prescription for living a fulfilling existence: "Who is the man who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from harm and choose a path of kindness; seek peace and pursue it." At the heart of this message is the importance of making choices that align with God's will. For instance, when we're tempted to gossip or speak negatively about someone, we can pause and ask ourselves if our words will bring healing or hurt. By choosing to speak truth and encouragement, we can create a ripple effect of kindness that spreads to those around us. I've found this to be especially true in my own relationships - when I take the time to listen and offer words of affirmation, it can completely shift the dynamic of a conversation. Like the time I had a tough conversation with a family member, and I made a conscious effort to really hear their perspective and respond with empathy - it didn't magically fix everything, but it helped us understand each other better.
The Bible reminds us that "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (). When we choose to walk in obedience to God, we become agents of peace and reconciliation in a world that often seems divided and chaotic. This kind of existence doesn't come easily, but it brings fulfillment and joy. By turning towards what is just and fair, we create space for God's love and light to shine through us. I've seen this play out in my own life when I've chosen to forgive someone who wronged me - it frees me from carrying around resentment, and that's a weight lifted off my shoulders. For example, I once had a friend who hurt me, but instead of holding onto resentment, I chose to reach out and have an open and honest conversation - we were able to work through our issues and rebuild our relationship.
So, how can we practically live out God's will? It starts with a daily commitment to seek His guidance and wisdom. As we pray and read Scripture, we gain a better understanding of His character and will. We can then apply this wisdom to our everyday choices and actions, choosing to speak truth, act with compassion, and pursue peace in all our relationships. We can also choose to stop saying things that tear others down and instead use our words to build them up. By doing so, we'll experience a sense of purpose, joy, and a sense of connection to God and others. And when we stumble, as we inevitably will, we can learn to recognize the warning signs - a harsh word, a selfish impulse - and make a conscious effort to shift our behavior, to choose a different path, one that leads to life and peace, and to stop causing harm to those around us.
