In this 2-week reading plan, we are assuming a posture of thanksgiving before the Lord by meditating on ten Psalms of Gratitude. Rather than provide a written response to each Psalm, we have offered a simple yet meaningful activity designed to help us recall God’s mercies to us and through time. So grab a journal, and let’s create our own songs of thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 34
The Lord Delivers the Righteous
Concerning David, when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech, who drove him out, and he departed.
I will praise the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord;
the humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me;
let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant with joy;
their faces will never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him from all his troubles.
The Angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!
You who are His holy ones, fear Yahweh,
for those who fear Him lack nothing.
Young lions lack food and go hungry,
but those who seek the Lord
will not lack any good thing.
Come, children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is the man who delights in life,
loving a long life to enjoy what is good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from deceitful speech.
Turn away from evil and do what is good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and His ears are open to their cry for help.
The face of the Lord is set
against those who do what is evil,
to erase all memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
He saves those crushed in spirit.
Many adversities come to the one who is righteous,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
He protects all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
The Lord redeems the life of His servants,
and all who take refuge in Him will not be punished.
Dig Deeper:
The Lord hears and delivers us! Psalm 34 is full of God’s gracious gifts to David and to us—like a treasure hunt of promises. Using the verse number clues below, make a list of how God cares for His children.
God’s gracious gifts to me!
verse 4: He answers me
verse 4: He delivers me
verse 5: _____________________
verse 6: _____________________
verse 7: _____________________
verses 9-10: __________________
verse 15: ____________________
verse 18: ____________________
verse 20: ____________________
verse 22: ____________________
CEE GEE – that sounds LOVELY!!!!! I absolutely will – and that gets my mind rolling into seeing what other support I could be looking for on her behalf.. thank you!!! What a blessing – and gets more ppl involved and loving on her!!
YES! It has all calmed down, he has been arrested. I do hurt for him – seems he is ex-military with mental issues related to his military stress. Praying ppl’s eyes can be opened to how much mental help is needed in this country… NOT just another pharma-response either – actual, healing, supportive help…
Good night, lovely She’s!!! May I report I will be going to bed with a much lighter heart than what I woke up with today?? You all carry some responsibility for that… ❤️
SO THANKFUL you made it safely home, HEIDI, with your precious cargo! Yes, I will add him and his family to my prayers as well. What a day you’ve had. Extra prayers for all you face tonight, tomorrow, and Friday. You certainly lived out Psalm 34 today! Praise the Lord!!!
HEIDI – praying by now all has settled down around you and you are home with your family.
Look up the ministry Embrace Grace. I am involved with a chapter here in NE Ohio. It is a ministry to help single pregnant girls. A 12-week Bible Study with a baby shower for the girl if she faithfully attends. Depending on the area there is a group for the baby daddies as well called Legecy.
Anyway it may be the support your niece needs to help her set healthy boundries.
Was able to leave the museum, get my littles from their schools (what a traffic mess THAT was!!) and get everyone home. It does seem they know who is responsible but (as of this second) I haven’t heard that they have apprehended him. Remember to pray for his lost and hurting soul as well…
Thanks for the prayers for everyone involved! Sad that it happened and grateful it was not worse…
Thank you, Rhonda, for asking about my niece as well!! Such a warm feeling that people care and pray… it makes a difference, I know it does. ❤️
Thanks for keeping us updated in this craziness, HEIDI. Praying they are making the right decision in lifting the lockdown. Still praying for the safety of your family, my family in the area, the wonderful first responders, hospital staff… all affected by this tragedy. ❤
Thanks, MICHELLE PATIRE! Praying in agreement with you for in this scariness. ❤
Oh wow Heidi–that’s scary! I didn’t even know anything about a shooter except on here! Glad you and your love ones are okay…hopefully you have made it home by now! (I too have been wondering about your niece)
I love the exercise today of filling in the blanks, I guess I need to do it for myself although you all had such good ones I just copied and pasted! lol.
It is weird missing lots of She’s! I still hope that eventually we can reply directly to comments and receive notifications when people reply! It would be SO nice!!
I have a break in work so came here to check on you ladies. Praying God’s peace to your communities- Heidi and Cee Gee. I just read the news. It does seem they figured out who the guy was and that he may have fled the area. Praying that people have an awareness of their surroundings and are safe. May no weapon prosper against the innocent. Jesus, we plead Your blood over everyone in that man’s path. We pray blessing over the schools and over those emotionally affected by this news.
CEE GEE thank you! What a mess… we’re still on lockdown as are my kids. Twitter feed shows him on top of the building i’m in (over an hour ago – def gone now) but idk if it’s been confirmed. Someone believes he hijacked a car so if that can be confirmed, we can all go about our day… Praying justice and that he is found/unable to hurt anyone else…