God's Providence (Psalm 34)

Do we praise the Lord in good times and bad? Do we have faith that He will provide our every need? Let’s begin in Psalm 34.

Who do we praise at all times, politicians, celebrities, sports heroes or God?

I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me; let us exalt His name together. (Ps 34:1-3 HCSB)

Who is our ultimate deliverer from the things that we fear? Who promises eternal radiance with delivery from death?

I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all of my fears. Look to him and be radiant; and you will not be ashamed. (Ps 34:4-5 ISV)

Can even a rich king describe himself as poor because he recognizes his inability to escape death and other dangers of this world?

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Ps 34:6-7 KJV)

Have we tasted the goodness of God, receiving every good thing that we need?

O taste and see that Yahweh is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Oh, fear Yahweh, you His saints; For there is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who inquire of Yahweh shall not be in want of any good thing. (Ps 34:8-10 LSB)

What are some other benefits and responsibilities that come from the fear of the Lord?

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the person who desires life And loves length of days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. Turn from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. (Ps 34:11-14 NASB)

Who does God watch over, listen to, deliver and save? Who does He ignore?

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Ps 34:15-18 NIV)

Who delivers the righteous from their many afflictions? Whose soul is redeemed?

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. (Ps 34:19-22 NKJV)

Was part of this Psalm a prophecy about the crucifixion of our Lord?

These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” (John 19:36 NLT)

Did Peter allude to this Psalm in describing tasting that God is good?

as newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that with it you may grow, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:2-3 WEB)

Do we praise the Lord in good times and bad? Do we have faith that He will provide our every need? You decide!