Psalm 34
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.- Psalm 34:15
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Psalm 34 is a unique testimony from David. According to 1 Samuel 21, David was fleeing from Saul’s pursuit and ran to Gath, the city of the Philistines. But when he feared King Achish of Gath, he had no choice but to act insane—scribbling on doors, letting saliva run down his beard—just to escape. If you only looked at that scene, David’s image was pitiful: shameful, undignified, and utterly humiliated. And yet, right after this narrow escape, David wrote this psalm filled with thanksgiving and praise.
David didn’t write this psalm as a triumphant king celebrating victory. He wrote it after tasting his own weakness and shame firsthand. He knew very well that in his helplessness, he could not have survived unless the Lord had reached down to save him. That’s why he declared: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (v.1). He wasn’t just rejoicing over a lucky escape. He was sincerely thanking God who drew near to him in his broken and desperate state.
This reveals something about our human nature: we often like to share our faith when life appears respectable or admirable. But when we’ve stumbled, failed, or even been disgraced, it feels much harder to praise the Lord who is still with us.
But the gospel reminds us: God doesn’t come near because we are strong or honourable. Quite the opposite. As verse 18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
And the way God comes near is through Jesus Christ. He didn’t stand far away shouting, “Come on, you can do it!” Instead, He entered our broken world, carried our sins, stepped into our pain and even death itself. On the cross, He bore the ultimate shame and brokenness in our place. And through His resurrection, He assures us: brokenness is not the end. He gives us new life.
In 2 Corinthians chapter 1, Paul says he went through suffering so severe that he felt he had no hope left to live. But it was in that very moment that he experienced the God who comforts us in all our affliction. Both David and Paul testify that God’s grace doesn’t wait until we’ve pulled ourselves together. When we are at our lowest and cry out to Him, He steps in and saves us.
So, brothers and sisters, when you think about your own moments of brokenness, shame, or failure, don’t imagine that God has turned away from you. It’s in those very moments that the gospel of Jesus Christ shows you: He is near, He saves you, and He will fill your mouth with praise once again.
Reflection:
In your most desperate or humiliating moments in the past, have you experienced God’s unexpected rescue? How can you learn, like David, to respond with praise even there?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that in my most broken and helpless times, You did not leave me but drew near. Your cross shows me that You fully understand my pain and sorrow; Your resurrection shows me that brokenness is not the end. Please comfort my heart today, and give me hope in Your saving grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Click to read
Psalm 34 is a unique testimony from David. According to 1 Samuel 21, David was fleeing from Saul’s pursuit and ran to Gath, the city of the Philistines. But when he feared King Achish of Gath, he had no choice but to act insane—scribbling on doors, letting saliva run down his beard—just to escape. If you only looked at that scene, David’s image was pitiful: shameful, undignified, and utterly humiliated. And yet, right after this narrow escape, David wrote this psalm filled with thanksgiving and praise.
David didn’t write this psalm as a triumphant king celebrating victory. He wrote it after tasting his own weakness and shame firsthand. He knew very well that in his helplessness, he could not have survived unless the Lord had reached down to save him. That’s why he declared: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (v.1). He wasn’t just rejoicing over a lucky escape. He was sincerely thanking God who drew near to him in his broken and desperate state.
This reveals something about our human nature: we often like to share our faith when life appears respectable or admirable. But when we’ve stumbled, failed, or even been disgraced, it feels much harder to praise the Lord who is still with us.
But the gospel reminds us: God doesn’t come near because we are strong or honourable. Quite the opposite. As verse 18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
And the way God comes near is through Jesus Christ. He didn’t stand far away shouting, “Come on, you can do it!” Instead, He entered our broken world, carried our sins, stepped into our pain and even death itself. On the cross, He bore the ultimate shame and brokenness in our place. And through His resurrection, He assures us: brokenness is not the end. He gives us new life.
In 2 Corinthians chapter 1, Paul says he went through suffering so severe that he felt he had no hope left to live. But it was in that very moment that he experienced the God who comforts us in all our affliction. Both David and Paul testify that God’s grace doesn’t wait until we’ve pulled ourselves together. When we are at our lowest and cry out to Him, He steps in and saves us.
So, brothers and sisters, when you think about your own moments of brokenness, shame, or failure, don’t imagine that God has turned away from you. It’s in those very moments that the gospel of Jesus Christ shows you: He is near, He saves you, and He will fill your mouth with praise once again.
Reflection:
In your most desperate or humiliating moments in the past, have you experienced God’s unexpected rescue? How can you learn, like David, to respond with praise even there?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that in my most broken and helpless times, You did not leave me but drew near. Your cross shows me that You fully understand my pain and sorrow; Your resurrection shows me that brokenness is not the end. Please comfort my heart today, and give me hope in Your saving grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.