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 Guidance
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Image Credit: Guardian Lion, 11th–early 12th century, Cambodia
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38449
