Psalms 34

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who forced him to depart.	1 Of David himself. O Lord, judge those who harm me; assail those who attack me.
2 I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.	2 Take hold of weapons and a shield, and rise up in assistance to me.
3 My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.	3 Bring forth the spear, and close in on those who persecute me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.	4 Let them be confounded and in awe, who pursue my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded, who think up evil against me.
5 I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.	5 May they become like dust before the face of the wind, and let the Angel of the Lord hem them in.
6 Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.	6 May their way become dark and slippery, and may the Angel of the Lord pursue them.
7 In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.	7 For, without cause, they have concealed their snare for me unto destruction. Over nothing, they have rebuked my soul.
8 The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.	8 Let the snare, of which he is ignorant, come upon him, and let the deception, which he has hidden, take hold of him: and may he fall into that very snare.
9 Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.	9 But my soul will exult in the Lord and delight over his salvation.
10 Fear the LORD, you holy ones; nothing is lacking to those who fear him.	10 All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like you?” He rescues the needy from the hand of the stronger one, the indigent and the poor from those who plunder him.
11 The powerful grow poor and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.	11 Unfair witnesses have risen up, interrogating me about things of which I am ignorant.
12 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.	12 They repaid me evil for good, to the deprivation of my soul.
13 Who among you loves life, takes delight in prosperous days?	13 But as for me, when they were harassing me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer will become my sinews.
14 Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies.	14 Like a neighbor, and like our brother, so did I please; like one mourning and contrite, so was I humbled.
15 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.	15 And they have been joyful against me, and they joined together. Scourges have been gathered over me, and I was ignorant of it.
16 The LORD has eyes for the just and ears for their cry.	16 They have been scattered, yet they were unremorseful. They have tested me. They scoffed at me with scorn. They gnashed their teeth over me.
17 The LORD'S face is against evildoers to wipe out their memory from the earth.	17 Lord, when will you look down upon me? Restore my soul from before their malice, my only one from before the lions.
18 When the just cry out, the LORD hears and rescues them from all distress.	18 I will confess to you in a great Church. I will praise you among a weighty people.
19 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.	19 May those who are my unjust adversaries not be glad over me: those who have hated me without cause, and who nod agreement with their eyes.
20 Many are the troubles of the just, but the LORD delivers from them all.	20 For indeed, they spoke peacefully to me; and speaking with passion to the earth, they intended deceit.
21 God watches over all their bones; not a one shall be broken.	21 And they opened their mouth wide over me. They said, “Well, well, our eyes have seen.”
22 Evil will slay the wicked; those who hate the just are condemned.	22 You have seen, O Lord, do not be silent. Lord, do not depart from me.
23 The LORD redeems loyal servants; no one is condemned whose refuge is God.	23 Rise up and be attentive to my judgment, to my cause, my God and my Lord.
	24 Judge me according to your justice, O Lord, my God, and do not let them be glad over me.
	25 Do not let them say in their hearts, “Well, well, to our soul.” Neither let them say, “We have devoured him.”
	26 Let them blush and be in awe together, those who congratulate at my misfortunes. Let them be clothed with confusion and awe, who speak great things against me.
	27 Let them exult and rejoice, who wish my justice, and let them ever say, “The Lord be magnified,” who will the peace of his servant.
	28 And so my tongue will express your justice: your praise all day long.