The Angel Of The Lord - The One Year Book of Psalms

The Angel Of The Lord

Psalm 34:1-10

A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.

1I will praise the LORD at all times.

I will constantly speak his praises.

2I will boast only in the LORD;

let all who are discouraged take heart.

3Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness;

let us exalt his name together.

4I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me,

freeing me from all my fears.

5Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;

no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me.

He set me free from all my fears.

7For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him,

and he rescues them.

8Taste and see that the LORD is good.

Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!

9Let the LORD’s people show him reverence,

for those who honor him will have all they need.

10Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,

but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.

Born into an aristocratic family in India, Sadhu Sundar Singh was trained by his mother to become a Sikh holy man. But after a conversion like that of the apostle Paul, Sundar began to travel throughout India, Afghanistan, and Tibet as a Christian evangelist. His family forsook him, and people persecuted him, but he continued on with his mission.

Once Sundar was lost in a jungle, and night was falling. He could hear the jungle predators on the prowl. Fortunately he came to a river and realized that he would be safe if he could cross it. But as he stepped into the water, he discovered that the current was too swift for him. What could he do?

Sundar prayed for God’s help. Then he saw a man across the river calling to him, “I am coming to help you.” The man plunged into the river and swam to Sundar. He told him to get on his back, and then they swam to the other side. Shortly after this, Sundar looked for the man, but he was gone. Perhaps Sundar had just experienced the reality of Psalm 34:7.

This psalm tells us much about fear and trust and why we are safe in God’s keeping. Whether we see those angels or not, we can trust God that they are there watching over us.

O magnify the Lord with me; with me exalt His name;

When in distress to him I called, He to my rescue came.

The Hosts of God encamp around the dwellings of the just;

Deliverance he affords to all who in his goodness trust.

NAHUM TATE

See 2 Kings 6:13-17 for a further commentary on Psalm 34:7.

“It is far better to be delivered from all our fears than from all our troubles. The wicked may be free from trouble, but can they be free from fear? No. The enjoyment, not only of tranquility, but security, is a privilege only of the godly.”

RICHARD BAKER

From the Book:

The One Year Book of Psalms cover image


The One Year Book of Psalms
By William Petersen, Randy Petersen, and Tyndale
Tyndale
$7.99

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