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Psalm 34

Some of the psalms are written with such raw vulnerability that we can be comforted in seasons when we feel vulnerable, when our prayer life falls flat, when our songs unto the Lord seem weak. Yet, other psalms are almost a call to push the refresh button on our prayers and songs unto the Lord. And when we crave such refreshing from God, but don’t know where or how to start, what a mercy that we can use the Psalms and other scripture like the Lord’s Prayer to help us model our own prayers and praises. Let us use Psalm 34 to spur on our souls–and senses–to “taste and see that the Lord is good!” It’s easy to sense the musicality and poetry of Psalm 34 as modern translations divide it into 6 stanzas–each stanza seeming to have its own beautiful theme. Permit me to share the themes that refreshed my song! Perhaps even meditate on one theme each day this week. I. Praise to the Lord and a Call to Worship! Right from the start, you may think, “Nope, I can’t honestly say that I am blessing the Lord at all times or that His praise is always on my lips.” This is where we remember the mercy of praying the scriptures and asking the spirit to make Psalm 34: 1-2 true of us, true of our hearts, our words, our boasts. I know my own wandering heart may fall into sin, often, but I do long to bless the Lord at ALL times and have His praise ALWAYS on my lips rather than worthless chatter. If your heart echoes that longing, let verse three act as a Call to Worship to us! David calls us to join in proclaiming the Lord’s greatness, together. Reflect: What works has the Lord done in my life and through Christ that I want to boast about? Reflect on God’s greatness and exalt Him. Invite others to do it with you as David did, perhaps with people in your home, or friends, or even strangers. II. Personal Testimony of Rescue A defining attribute of a believer is the joy and confidence of being rescued from our sin! Perhaps part of your story is also being rescued from addiction, depression, judgement of others, fear, infertility, negativity, loneliness… Whatever our story, we each have a personal story of God’s rescue because there is not salvation for those who didn’t first need saving, those who didn’t first find themselves in need of rescue. Reflect: David speaks of “radiant joy” for those who look to God and reflect on their rescue. Take a moment just to thank God for His rescue from sin and for your security in His salvation. Ask God to fill you with joy over the work He’s done to save you “return to me the joy of my salvation.” What else has God delivered you from? Thank and praise him! Pray for the affiliations that you are waiting on God to heal with confidence in His power over each one and the guarantee that we will be without affiliations in glory!

Let Christ’s righteousness and grace, not yours, be your refuge. - Martin Luther

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. 3 Proclaim the Lord’s

greatness with me; let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.