Psalm 34
1I will bless the Lord at all times; *
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2I will glory in the Lord; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.
3Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; *
let us exalt his Name together.
4I sought the Lord, and he answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.
5Look upon him and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.
6I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.
7The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.
8Taste and see that the Lord is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!
9Fear the Lord, you that are his saints, *
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.
14Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.
15The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, *
and his ears are open to their cry.
16The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, *
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
17The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them *
and delivers them from all their troubles.
18The Lord is near to the brokenhearted *
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
19Many are the troubles of the righteous, *
but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.
20He will keep safe all his bones; *
not one of them shall be broken.
21Evil shall slay the wicked, *
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, *
and none will be punished who trust in him.
A Collect for Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Image Credit: Angel of the Annunciation, ca. 1290–1300, German
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection
