Psalms 34 - Introduction

A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042.

Dr. Delaney has given it as his opinion that David wrote this Psalm for the instruction of those men who resorted to him at Adullam, after his departure from Gath. It contains, says he, the noblest encouragements to piety and virtue, from an assurance that all such as are so devoted are the immediate care of Almighty God; as all those of a contrary character are his abhorrence, and the sure marks of his vengeance. And, surely, this Psalm, considered in this light, is one of the noblest, the best turned, and best judged, and best adapted compositions that ever was penned. He begins by encouraging them to piety, and gratitude to God from his own example, Psalms 34:1. He then exhorts others to make trial of the same mercies; to learn the goodness of God from their own experiences, Psalms 34:8; Psalms 34:9. He then assures them, that strength and magnanimity are no securities from want and distress; whereas trust and confidence in God are a never-failing source of every thing that is good, Psalms 34:10. After which he sums up all in a most pathetic and beautiful exhortation to piety, to virtue, and to confidence in God; in full assurance that, as he was the guardian and true protector of virtue in distress; so was he the unerring observer and steady avenger of wickedness, Psalms 34:11.

Title. When he changed his behaviour, &c. A Psalm made upon that occasion, though not at that time, when he counterfeited madness. Wherein whether he sinned or not, is matter of dispute; but this is undoubted, that his deliverance deserved this solemn acknowledgment. Abimelech Called Achish, 1 Samuel 21:10. But Abimelech seems to have been the common name of the kings of the Philistines, (Genesis 20:2; Genesis 26:1,) as Pharaoh was of the Egyptians.