Psalms 34:1

 Psalms 34:1 says, A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.  After a long introduction, verse one says, I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  David said he would praise God at all times, even in his times of adversity, continually speaking his praises for God.  We cannot let our situation determine whether we praise God or not, but must always give Him the praise He is due no matter what.  Verse two adds, My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  David said his soul, his innermost being, would boast to the LORD and that those who humbled themselves before God would hear of it and be glad.  We who humbly stand before God by faith should be glad when others boast about Him.  Verse three states, O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.  David asked those who were glad to hear him praise God to join him in magnifying God together.  We need to be united as followers of Christ in giving our praise to God so that His name can be magnified.  Verse four adds, I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  David said when he sought the LORD that He heard him and delivered him from his fears.  If we have fears in our lives today,  we need to simply seek God and put our faith in Him.  Verse five continues, They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.  David said that those who had humbled themselves before God had their burdens lightened and were not ashamed of their faith in God.  God will lighten our burdens today if we look to Him, and we should never be ashamed of our relationship with Him.  Verse six declares, This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.  David said he was a poor man who cried to God, and that God heard him and saved him from his troubles.  We will always be poor people before God, no matter how rich we may be in the eyes of the world, and in our times of trouble we must call out to God in faith.  Verse seven adds, The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.  David said that God's angels surrounded those who put their faith in God and delivered them in times of trouble.  I don't believe that God's angels will always deliver us from troubles in this world, but I do believe they will be with us to help us remain true to our relationship with God.  Verse eight says, O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.  David asked that people rely on God and see that He is good and that those who trusted in Him would be blessed.  When we rely on God and put our trust in Him no matter what, then we will be blessed.   This does not mean that we will be materially blessed, but we will be spiritually blessed.  Verse nine adds, O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.  David called on the saints, those who put their faith in God, to fear, or have an awesome respect for God, and if they did, they would have no want.  I don't believe that God wants us to fear Him as meaning being afraid of Him, but He does want us to always have an overriding respect for Him.  Verse ten continues, The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.  David said that those who put their faith in their own power would end up lacking and suffering hunger, but that those who trusted in the LORD would not want any good thing, or the things needed in everyday life.  When we put our faith in God, He will provide for all our needs spiritually, which is all that really counts.