Psalms 34–22
Psalm 34:1-22
Psa.34.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בשנותו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+SUFF,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- טעמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+suf,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- אבימלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויגרשהו: VAV+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+SUFF,3,m,sg
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (quotation): The narrative account in which David feigns madness before Achish (called Abimelech in the psalm title); the Psalm's superscription explicitly refers to this episode.
- 1 Samuel 21:13 (verbal): Verse describes David's action—'changed his behaviour' / 'feigned himself mad'—language that the Psalm's heading echoes almost verbatim.
- Psalm 56 (superscription) (thematic): Like Psalm 34, Psalm 56 connects to David's experience among the Philistines (taken in Gath) and reflects themes of fear, trust, and deliverance tied to that crisis.
- Genesis 20:1-7 (allusion): The name 'Abimelech' appears here as a royal name/title; the psalm's use of 'Abimelech' (rather than Achish) reflects a wider biblical practice of this royal designation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Of David; when he feigned madness before Abimelech—Abimelech drove him away, and he departed.
- Of David. When he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
Psa.34.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אברכה: VERB,qal,impf,1,,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- תמיד: ADV
- תהלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+SUFF,3,m,sg
- בפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,construct
Parallels
- Psalm 145:2 (verbal): Expresses daily/continuous blessing and praise of God ('Every day I will bless you' / 'I will bless the LORD at all times').
- Psalm 71:8 (verbal): Speaks of the mouth being full of God’s praise 'all the day', paralleling the continual declaration of praise in Ps 34:2.
- Psalm 35:28 (verbal): Declares the tongue will speak of God's righteousness and praise 'all the day', closely echoing the motif of continual verbal praise.
- Hebrews 13:15 (thematic): Calls believers to offer 'a sacrifice of praise' continually to God — New Testament ethical/theological parallel to perpetual praise in the psalm.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (thematic): Commands thanksgiving 'in everything' (continually), related thematically to the psalmist’s vow to bless and praise God at all times.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
- I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa.34.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- תתהלל: VERB,hitpael,impf,2,m,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- ישמעו: VERB,qal,imf,3,mp
- ענוים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וישמחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
Parallels
- Luke 1:46-47 (verbal): Mary's Magnificat: 'My soul magnifies the Lord'—direct verbal parallel to 'my soul will glory in the LORD' and a shared theme of personal exaltation of God.
- Psalm 40:16 (verbal): 'Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you... The LORD be magnified'—close verbal and thematic echo of calling others to glorify God and rejoice.
- Psalm 34:1 (structural): Immediate internal parallel within the same psalm: the psalmist's opening vow to bless/exalt the LORD and continual personal praise underpins verse 3's call to magnify God.
- Psalm 113:1 (thematic): Communal summons to praise ('Praise, O servants of the LORD')—parallels the joint invitation 'let us exalt his name together' and the public/communal dimension of worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
- My soul will boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and rejoice.
Psa.34.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גדלו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff:3ms
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- ונרוממה: CONJ+VERB,piel,impf,1,mp,pl
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יחדו: ADV
Parallels
- Psalm 145:1-3 (thematic): A public call to extol and bless God’s name; emphasizes magnifying/exalting the LORD and celebrating his greatness together.
- Psalm 135:3 (verbal): Imperative to 'praise the LORD; praise the name of the LORD'—a short, direct, communal summons to praise the Divine name akin to 'magnify the LORD with me.'
- Psalm 22:22 (verbal): 'I will declare your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you'—parallel language about proclaiming and praising God's name in the company of others.
- Hebrews 2:12 (quotation): New Testament citation of Psalm 22:22 applied to Jesus—uses the same motif of declaring/praising God's name among brethren, linking communal exaltation to Christ and the assembly.
- Luke 19:37-40 (thematic): Crowds publicly praise God as Jesus enters Jerusalem; the scene reflects the communal exhortation to exalt God's name and Jesus' affirmation that such praise must be expressed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
- Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psa.34.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- דרשתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וענני: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg+1cs
- ומכל: CONJ
- מגורותי: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- הצילני: VERB,hif,impv,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 34:17 (thematic): Same psalm theme: the righteous cry to the LORD, he hears and delivers them from trouble/fear (deliverance in response to seeking/calling).
- Psalm 18:6 (verbal): Uses the language of calling/crying to the LORD and receiving an answer/rescue—parallels the petition-and-response pattern of Ps 34:5.
- Psalm 50:15 (thematic): God’s promise to be answered and delivered when called in a day of trouble mirrors Ps 34:5’s motif of seeking God and being rescued.
- Jeremiah 33:3 (verbal): “Call to me and I will answer you” echoes the direct promise of God’s answering in Ps 34:5 (invitation to seek/cry out and receive a reply).
- Psalm 91:15 (verbal): God’s pledge “I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him” parallels Ps 34:5’s assurance of an answer and deliverance when one seeks the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
- I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my distress.
Psa.34.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הביטו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ונהרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ופניהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- יחפרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 34:17 (thematic): Both passages teach that when the righteous/afflicted turn to or cry to the LORD he hears and delivers them, producing confidence rather than shame.
- Exodus 34:29-30 (verbal): After encountering God Moses' face 'shone'—the concrete image of radiance parallels the verse's motif of looking to God and becoming radiant.
- Isaiah 60:1-3 (verbal): 'Arise, shine' and the coming of God's light produce radiance and lifted faces, echoing the theme of divine presence causing brightness.
- Psalm 22:24 (thematic): Affirms that God does not hide his face from the afflicted and hears their cry, paralleling the idea of turning to God and being heard/saved.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who look to him are radiant; their faces shall never be ashamed.
- They looked to him and were radiant; their faces shall not be put to shame.
Psa.34.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- עני: ADJ,m,sg
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ומכל: CONJ
- צרותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,poss,3,m
- הושיעו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,ms,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 34:17 (verbal): Almost identical wording/idea within the psalm: when the righteous/poor cry the LORD hears and delivers them from all their troubles.
- Psalm 18:6 (verbal): David cries out in distress and the LORD hears from his temple—same pattern of calling in trouble and divine hearing/deliverance.
- Psalm 40:1 (verbal): "I waited patiently... and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry"—echoes the motif of crying out and God responding to save.
- Psalm 50:15 (allusion): God's summons to 'call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee' parallels the promise that God hears the poor and rescues them.
- Jonah 2:2 (thematic): Jonah's prayer from the fish—'I cried by reason of my affliction unto the LORD' and God responds—reflects the same cry/hearing/deliverance dynamic.
Alternative generated candidates
- This poor one cried, and the LORD heard, and saved him out of all his troubles.
- The afflicted cried, and the LORD heard, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psa.34.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלאך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
- ליראיו: PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
- ויחלצם: VERB,piel,wayyiqtol,3,ms,sg+PRON,3,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 91:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of God commanding his angels to guard the faithful—parallels the idea of angelic protection and deliverance surrounding those who fear the LORD.
- Exodus 23:20-21 (verbal): God promises to send an angel to go before Israel and guard them; closely parallels the motif of an angel encamping around and protecting God's people.
- Daniel 6:22 (thematic): Daniel reports that God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths—an instance of deliverance by an angel on behalf of a faithful servant.
- Hebrews 1:14 (allusion): Describes angels as 'ministering spirits sent out to serve' those who will inherit salvation, echoing the function of angels as protectors and deliverers for the godly.
Alternative generated candidates
- The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
- The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psa.34.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- טעמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+suf,3,m,sg
- וראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשרי: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- הגבר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- יחסה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Nahum 1:7 (verbal): Declares ‘the LORD is good’ and portrays God as a refuge in trouble—closely echoing the language and refuge theme of Ps 34:9.
- 1 Peter 2:3 (quotation): Uses the phrase ‘if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good,’ explicitly echoing Ps 34:9’s tasting-imagery and affirmation of God’s goodness.
- Psalm 25:8 (verbal): Affirms ‘Good and upright is the LORD,’ a similar verbal characterization of God’s goodness found in Ps 34:9.
- Isaiah 55:1–3 (thematic): Invites the thirsty/hungry to ‘come, buy and eat’—uses communal eating imagery to invite people to experience God’s abundant goodness, paralleling the ‘taste and see’ invitation of Ps 34:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
- Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psa.34.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קדשיו: NOUN,m,pl,cons,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- מחסור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליראיו: PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
Parallels
- Ps.34:9 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the psalm — repeats the promise that those who fear the LORD will lack nothing (close verbal and thematic overlap).
- Ps.23:1 (verbal): ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want’ — a concise statement of divine provision for the righteous, echoing ‘no lack’ for those who trust God.
- Ps.84:11 (verbal): ‘No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly’ — similar language of God withholding no good thing from the faithful.
- Ps.37:25 (thematic): ‘I have been young, and now am old... yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken’ — asserts God’s care and provision for the righteous across life.
- Matt.6:31-33 (thematic): Jesus teaches not to be anxious about material needs and that seeking God's kingdom comes with provision — parallels the promise that those who seek/fear God lack nothing good.
Alternative generated candidates
- Fear the LORD, you his saints; for those who fear him lack nothing.
- Fear the LORD, you his saints; for those who fear him lack nothing.
Psa.34.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כפירים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ורעבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ודרשי: VERB,qal,ptcp,NA,m,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יחסרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 84:11 (verbal): Very close wording and idea: God will not withhold any good thing from the upright—affirming that God provides 'all good' to those who follow/seek him.
- Matthew 6:31-33 (thematic): Jesus teaches not to be anxious about needs and promises that those who seek God's kingdom first will have their needs supplied, echoing 'seek the LORD… shall not lack'.
- Psalm 23:1 (thematic): Both affirm trust in the LORD as resulting in no lack—'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want' parallels the promise of not lacking any good thing.
- Psalm 37:25 (thematic): David's testimony that the righteous are not forsaken nor forced to beg for bread parallels the assurance that those who seek the LORD will not lack good things.
Alternative generated candidates
- Young lions grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
- Young lions grow weak and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing.
Psa.34.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- יראת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלמדכם: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg,obj:2,m,pl
Parallels
- Proverbs 1:8 (verbal): Address to a son to 'hear' parental instruction parallels the opening summons 'Come, children, listen to me.'
- Proverbs 4:1 (verbal): 'Hear, O children, the instruction of a father' closely echoes the same vocative appeal and teaching role found in Psalm 34:12.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 (thematic): Commands to teach God's words to one's children correspond to the psalmist's intention to 'teach you the fear of the LORD.'
- Proverbs 9:10 (thematic): 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom' relates directly to the content the speaker promises to teach in Psalm 34:12.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (thematic): God's injunction to instruct the next generation so they know and fear the LORD parallels the psalm's emphasis on teaching children the fear of the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
- Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psa.34.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- החפץ: PTCP,qal,act,m,sg
- חיים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אהב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לראות: VERB,qal,inf
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Peter 3:10 (quotation): Direct quotation of Psalm 34:12–14 (Hebrew numbering): uses the same wording and applies the injunction to loving life and seeing good days to Christian conduct (guarding tongue, doing good).
- Proverbs 3:2 (thematic): Promises 'length of days and years of life' as the fruit of wisdom—echoes the motif of desiring life and seeing good days as the reward of right living.
- Proverbs 19:23 (thematic): States that the fear of the LORD 'leads to life' and protection from harm, paralleling the idea that reverent, righteous conduct results in life and good days.
- Psalm 91:16 (thematic): God's promise of 'satisfying with long life' parallels the Psalm 34 motif that those who seek life and do good will enjoy length/quality of days.
Alternative generated candidates
- Who is the man who desires life, who loves long days that he may see good?
- Who is the man who desires life, who loves days to see good?
Psa.34.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשונך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- מרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושפתיך: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- מרמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Proverbs 4:24 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language about removing a deceitful mouth and perverse lips—direct verbal parallel about guarding speech and rejecting falsehood.
- Proverbs 21:23 (verbal): Speaks of keeping one's mouth and tongue to avoid trouble—concise proverbial parallel stressing the protective value of guarding speech.
- James 1:26 (thematic): Links true religion to bridling the tongue and condemns deceitful speech—New Testament ethical parallel emphasizing control of the mouth.
- Ephesians 4:29 (verbal): Commands that no corrupting talk proceed from the mouth but only helpful, edifying speech—similar moral injunction about the content and use of words.
- James 3:5-6 (thematic): Describes the tongue as capable of great harm (a fire) and corrupting the whole person—thematic warning about the moral danger of uncontrolled speech.
Alternative generated candidates
- Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
- Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
Psa.34.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- סור: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בקש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורדפהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imper,2,m,sg,PRON,3,m
Parallels
- 1 Peter 3:11 (quotation): Directly quotes/echoes the LXX/Hebrew wording of Ps 34:14–15: 'eschew evil, do good; seek peace, and pursue it.'
- Psalm 37:27 (verbal): Closely parallels the command 'Turn from evil and do good' (Hebrew wording is nearly identical), urging righteous conduct and its blessings.
- Romans 14:19 (verbal): Uses the same idea and verb of pursuing peace—'let us pursue what makes for peace'—echoing the Psalm's call to seek and pursue peace.
- Isaiah 1:16-17 (thematic): Prophetic exhortation to 'wash yourselves... learn to do good; seek justice' aligns thematically with turning from evil, doing good, and actively seeking righteousness/peace.
Alternative generated candidates
- Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
- Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psa.34.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- צדיקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואזניו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- אל: NEG
- שועתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Peter 3:12 (quotation): Direct New Testament quotation/echo of Psalm 34:15–16: affirms that the Lord's eyes are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayers.
- Psalm 33:18 (verbal): Uses the same imagery—'the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him'—emphasizing God's attentive regard for the faithful.
- Proverbs 15:3 (thematic): Parallel theme of God's continual watching: 'The eyes of the LORD are in every place,' underscoring divine surveillance of the righteous and wicked alike.
- Psalm 11:4 (thematic): Similar language about God's eyes observing human conduct—'His eyes see; his eyelids test'—highlighting God's scrutiny and care for the righteous.
- Psalm 145:19 (thematic): Echoes the promise that the LORD hears the cry of those who fear him and fulfills their desires, paralleling the attentive ear to the righteous in Ps 34:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and his ears attentive to their cry.
- The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry.
Psa.34.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעשי: PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,NA,m,pl
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- להכרית: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf,NA,NA,NA
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זכרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 9:5 (verbal): Speaks of God destroying the wicked and blotting out their name forever—parallel language to cutting off the memory of evildoers from the earth.
- Proverbs 2:22 (verbal): Uses the same idea/verb of the wicked being 'cut off' from the land—shared wording and theme of removal of the wicked.
- Psalm 37:9-10 (thematic): Affirms that evildoers will be cut off and the wicked will perish while the righteous inherit the land—same theme of divine judgment and the end of the wicked.
- Exodus 32:33 (verbal): God tells Moses he will 'blot out' from his book whoever sins against him—comparable concept of God erasing the memory/name of the wicked.
- Psalm 69:28 (verbal): Prayer that the wicked be blotted out of the book of the living—echoes the motif of being removed from record or remembrance by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.
- The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Psa.34.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- צעקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ומכל: CONJ
- צרותם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+prs:3,m,pl
- הצילם: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg+obj:3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 18:6 (verbal): David cries in distress and says the LORD heard his voice — language of crying out and God’s hearing parallels Ps 34’s emphasis that God hears cries and delivers.
- Psalm 22:24 (verbal): Speaks of God not hiding his face but hearing when the afflicted cry — closely echoes the motif that God hears cries and rescues from trouble.
- Jonah 2:2 (thematic): Jonah’s prayer: “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me” — same theme of crying to God in distress and receiving deliverance.
- Psalm 50:15 (thematic): “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” — a promise formulation that parallels Ps 34’s depiction of God responding to cries by delivering.
- Psalm 145:18 (thematic): “The LORD is near to all who call on him” — general theological parallel: God’s nearness to those who cry and his responsiveness to their distress.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the righteous cry, the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.
- They cry, and the LORD hears; and he delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psa.34.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לנשברי: PREP+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- דכאי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יושיע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 147:3 (verbal): Uses close language about God healing or binding the brokenhearted—same promise of care and restoration for the afflicted.
- Isaiah 61:1 (allusion): Proclaims God’s mission to bring comfort and liberty to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted; this theme of divine consolation is parallel (and later quoted by Jesus in Luke 4:18).
- Matthew 5:4 (thematic): “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” echoes the theme that God’s presence brings consolation to the brokenhearted and afflicted.
- Psalm 145:18 (verbal): Both verses stress God’s nearness to those in distress—‘the LORD is near’ to the contrite/brokenhearted and to those who call on him.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psa.34.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- רעות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומכלם: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,pl
- יצילנו: VERB,hiph,imprf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 34:17 (verbal): Same psalm; repeats the theme and language of the righteous crying out and the LORD delivering them from all their troubles.
- Psalm 18:17-19 (cf. 2 Samuel 22:17-19) (thematic): David celebrates personal rescue: God delivered him from mighty troubles and brought him out because He delighted in him—parallel motif of divine deliverance for the righteous.
- Psalm 107:6 (thematic): Those in distress cry to the LORD and He delivers them out of their troubles—same refrain of lament followed by divine rescue.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (thematic): Paul describes believers as afflicted but not crushed, persecuted but not forsaken—New Testament echo of persistent suffering yet divine preservation/deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
- Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
Psa.34.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- עצמותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- מהנה: PREP+PRON,3,f,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- נשברה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- John 19:36 (quotation): The Fourth Gospel explicitly cites this wording ('Not one of his bones will be broken') as fulfilled in Jesus' crucifixion.
- Exodus 12:46 (verbal): The Passover lamb command 'not a bone of it shall be broken' uses the same language and is the OT background for the NT fulfillment motif.
- Numbers 9:12 (verbal): Reiterates the instruction that none of the Passover lamb's bones be broken, echoing the exact phraseology.
- Psalm 22:16-18 (Heb. 22:17-18) (allusion): Another suffering‑psalm used in the Gospel account (piercing/dividing garments) that is paired with Ps.34:21 in the NT's presentation of messianic fulfillment.
Alternative generated candidates
- He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.
- He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Psa.34.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תמותת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- רשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושנאי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאשמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 1:6 (thematic): Contrasts the destinies of the righteous and the wicked: 'the way of the wicked will perish' parallels the fate/death of the wicked in Ps 34:22.
- Psalm 37:20 (thematic): Speaks of the ultimate destruction of the wicked ('the wicked shall perish... they shall vanish like smoke'), echoing the doom of the wicked in Ps 34:22.
- Psalm 37:32-33 (thematic): Describes how the wicked plot against the righteous but are judged ('The LORD will not leave him in their hand, nor condemn him when he is judged'), paralleling the judgment/shame of those who hate the righteous in Ps 34:22.
- Proverbs 24:19-20 (verbal): Warns not to envy evildoers because 'there will be no reward to the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out,' which parallels the calamity and end of the wicked and the vindication of the righteous in Ps 34:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
- Evil will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be held guilty.
Of David. When he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and be glad.
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant; let your faces never be ashamed.
The afflicted called, and the LORD heard, and delivered him from all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones; for those who fear him lack nothing.
Young lions suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Who is the man who desires life, who loves many 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.
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off their remembrance from the earth.
When the righteous cry, the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be held guilty.