MEDITATIONS IN THE PSALMS (7-21-24) [An outline of the Psalm A good devotional study when using the scriptures indicated] Psalm 34:1-3; Part 1, Bless the Lord in Hymn
The background for this Psalm is of David, when he pretended madness before Achish, who drove him away and he departed (I Samuel 21:1-15) Mr. Spurgeon divides the Psalm into two major divisions: vs.1-10 is a hymn wherein he expresses praise to God. Vs. 11-22 is a sermon he directly addresses to men. The Hymn, vs. 1-10, is his vow to bless the Lord and an invitation to others to join him (vs.1-3). Verse 1, “I will bless the LORD”; Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” David is resolved, “I will” fixed in his mind. “Let others do as they will,” “As for me, I will bless the Lord at all times,” Joshua 24:14-15 “…But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Many a man has had to make this resolve for his family; yea and for himself in opposition to his family. Let this vain world perish in its vanity, let us serve God! “I will bless the LORD at ALL TIMES.” Not seasonal. To Timothy Paul said, “Preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season.” Let your devotion be without hypocrisy (Matthew 15:7-9). Honor God at home as well as at Church. In every situation, under every circumstance, remember your Father’s honor is at stake, your God’s glory must be maintained. You are a child of the King, honor the King! “His praise shall be continually in my mouth”, not to hear only. “My boast;” is it wrong to boast? Not if it is in the Lord. “Boasting is a natural propensity, and if it were used in this case, the more it was indulged the better.” (CHS)) (Jer.9:23-24; Ps.49:6-8) “The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.” Boasting generally is a grieving and obnoxious thing to hear; the sooner we can rid ourselves of the boaster the better. But not so if a man is boasting in his God. Talk of God’s goodness, talk of God’s mercy, love, compassion, grace and holiness. And your talk will encourage the downcast and strengthen the weak. Verse 3, “Oh magnify the LORD with me.” We ought to make this a universal matter. Oh dear ones, are you interested in making God famous? Let us join together in doing so! I’ll tell you what, if you are, you will not neglect the things of God, and things pertaining to your soul’s health for things of this old vain world. “Let us exalt His name together.” Maybe David, as I, felt his weakness and inability to adequately glorify the LORD and therefore stirs up others to join in this great work. The scripture says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” God never called ‘Lone Ranger’s’ to be Christians (Mark 6:7; 1 Kings 10:1). “Peter and John went up to the temple.” “Paul chose Silas and departed, being recommended by the brethren.” “Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.” God’s Church is a society of people; we glorify God together, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
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