Worthy.Bible » YLT » Psalms » Chapter 34 » Verse 14

Psalms 34:14 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

14 Turn aside from evil and do good, Seek peace and pursue it.

Cross Reference

Isaiah 1:16-17 YLT

Wash ye, make ye pure, Turn aside the evil of your doings, from before Mine eyes, Cease to do evil, learn to do good. Seek judgment, make happy the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, strive `for' the widow.

Proverbs 16:16-17 YLT

To get wisdom -- how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver! A highway of the upright `is', `Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

James 3:17-18 YLT

and the wisdom from above, first, indeed, is pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of kindness and good fruits, uncontentious, and unhypocritical: -- and the fruit of the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace.

Commentary on Psalms 34 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 34

Ps 34:1-22. On the title compare 1Sa 21:13. Abimelech was the general name of the sovereign (Ge 20:2). After celebrating God's gracious dealings with him, the Psalmist exhorts others to make trial of His providential care, instructing them how to secure it. He then contrasts God's care of His people and His punitive providence towards the wicked.

1-4. Even in distress, which excites supplication, there is always matter for praising and thanking God (compare Eph 5:20; Php 4:6).

2. make her boast—"glory" (Ps 105:3; compare Ga 6:14).

humble—"the pious," as in Ps 9:12; 25:9.

3. magnify the Lord—ascribe greatness to Him, an act of praise.

together—"alike" (Ps 33:15), or, equally, without exception.

4. delivered … fears—as well as actual evil (Ps 64:1).

5-7. God's favor to the pious generally, and to himself specially, is celebrated.

looked—with desire for help.

lightened—or, "brightened," expressing joy, opposed to the downcast features of those who are ashamed or disappointed (Ps 25:2, 3).

6. This poor man—literally, "humble," himself as a specimen of such.

7. angel—of the covenant (Isa 63:9), of whom as a leader of God's host (Jos 5:14; 1Ki 22:19), the phrase—

encampeth, &c.—is appropriate; or, "angel" used collectively for angels (Heb 1:14).

8. taste and see—try and experience.

9. that fear him—who are pious—fear and love (Pr 1:7; 9:10).

saints—consecrated to His service (Isa 40:31).

10. not want any good—"good" is emphatic; they may be afflicted (compare Ps 34:10); but this may be a good (2Co 4:17, 18; Heb 12:10, 11).

11. children—subjects of instruction (Pr 1:8, 10).

12. What man—Whoever desires the blessings of piety, let him attend.

13, 14. Sins of thought included in those of speech (Lu 6:45), avoiding evil and doing good in our relations to men are based on a right relation to God.

15. eyes of the Lord are upon—(Ps 32:8; 33:18).

16. face … against—opposed to them (Le 17:10; 20:3).

cut off the remembrance—utterly destroy (Ps 109:13).

17, 18. Humble penitents are objects of God's special tender regard (Ps 51:19; Isa 57:15).

20. bones—framework of the body.

21, 22. Contrast in the destiny of righteous and wicked; the former shall be delivered and never come into condemnation (Joh 5:24; Ro 8:1); the latter are left under condemnation and desolate.