This Poor Man Cries.

THIS POOR MAN CRIES.

Psalm 34:1-6; Psalm 34:21-22.

PSALM 34:1. For us to “bless the LORD” is to tell forth His goodness. What we say reflects Whose we are. What we speak about should reflect who we are in Him. To “bless the LORD” is to bow the knee in worship and praise.

The words which we speak effect our attitudes and behaviour. When we speak positively about the things of the LORD, good things can happen. The converse is also true: when we ‘speak up’ bad things, that’s often just what we get! David determined that the praises of the LORD should constantly be in his mouth.

PSALM 34:2. The ‘sweet Psalmist of Israel’ (cf. 2 Samuel 23:1) sought to honour God in what amounted to a public act of praise. This Psalm is not addressed to the LORD, but to the congregation. They are “the humble”: the poor, the lowly, the weak, and the afflicted. 'Those in distress, those in debt, and the discontented' (cf. 1 Samuel 22:2).

PSALM 34:3. David’s testimony calls for a response, and participation.

PSALM 34:4. This encourages the once-fearful. “The LORD delivered me from all my fears.” Negative fears are the opposite of faith, and destructive to our peace and well-being.

PSALM 34:5. This could be the choir’s response to the voice of the soloist. The once-shameful respond with their own observation. “They looked to Him, and lightened were: not shamed were their faces.”

We are reminded of the glory of the LORD, reflected in the face of Moses (cf. Exodus 34:35). We are also reminded of “the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ” (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:6). When we look to Him, the light of the LORD is reflected in our lives.

PSALM 34:6. Those in distress find their encouragement here. “This poor (humble) man cried…” This is answered prayer - even where prayer is scarcely articulated. 'The LORD heard the cry of the children of Israel' in Egypt (cf. Exodus 3:9). The LORD hears, and saves, and redeems us from trouble.

PSALM 34:21. Evil itself shall slay those who persist in their wicked ways. Those who hate the righteous shall be desolate.

PSALM 34:22. The LORD “redeems” the soul of His servants. This echoes the positive assertion of Psalm 34:20. The idea of rescue echoes the beatitude of Psalm 34:8.

There is 'no condemnation' to those who are in Christ Jesus - redeemed by the blood of the Lamb - 'walking not after the flesh but after the Spirit' (Romans 8:1).