The headings of psalms are often looked to by readers to determine the incident that inspired the Psalm.  Thus, readers often determine the meaning of a Psalm by the heading.  That may or may not be helpful.  The headings are ancient, but are not part of the Psalm.  The Psalm existed before the heading was constructed. The accuracy of some headings is questionable.  Sometimes it could be that the content of the Psalm was appropriate for the incident the heading cited.

Stress the importance of not considering the heading of the Psalm as being a part of the Psalm.  Though ancient, the heading existed after the Psalm was written, not as a part of the Psalm.

In Psalm 34, the psalmist was profoundly grateful for God’s deliverance.  Note that the gratitude expressed was for “deliverance,” not for the absence of afflictions (note verses 4, 6, and 8—pay attention to “sought,” “cried,” and “refuge”—words of rescue instead of words free from troublesome experiences).

The Psalm began with an overflowing feeling of honor for God, though the psalm itself may indicate the psalmist did not initially have these positive feelings for God. 

The Psalm began by praising God. There was the sense of an overflowing gratitude that could not (and should not) be contained.  It was not a momentary reaction, but a continual reaction.  The psalmist simply could not forget what God did in rescuing him.  He would not boast of himself, but of God!

Whatever changed the psalmist’s feeling for God totally redirected his view of God.  There is a value to be respected for turning a negative view into a positive view. The person who opposed who becomes the person who (with reasons) affirms, frequently has insights that the person who always affirmed does not have.

The result would be that the humble (those who were impressed with God, not themselves) would join the psalmist in magnifying God and exalting God’s name. The psalmist saw his reaction to God as an encouragement to others who also recognized God’s greatness.

Humility is commonly determined by the degree that a person can see and regret his/her mistakes.  The greater a person’s humility, the more impressed he/she is with God.  The humble have an amazing capacity to appreciate God.

Perhaps the psalmist had not always recognized God’s worthiness of praise.  Perhaps this was emphasized or suggested by words such as “sought,” “answered,” “delivered,” and “saved.”  Such wording might suggest a before-and-after situation.  If this before-and-after situation was true, the Psalm depicts at least a person who doubted God who turned to God.  If that was the situation, the psalmist turned from the despair produced by affliction to confident hope in God’s rescue.  The psalmist did not say how he was rescued, but he knew the rescue was God’s work, not the work of humans.

Encourage your students to look for clues within the Psalm of the psalmist’s attitude produced by evaluation and appreciation.

God was depicted as the rescuer who heard the cries of the afflicted and delivered. God specialized in delivering and protecting.  It is because God is who He is and does what only He can do that should motivate people to be righteous.  The Lord God of ancient Israel differed from all the idols that others regarded to represent gods.

Talk about why a person’s view of God is important to his/her appreciation of God.

Note how personal the psalmist was.  He did not ask others to rely on his testimony regarding the Lord God.  He wanted others to experience relationship with God—“taste“ relationship with God and see for yourself the goodness of God!

In verse 8, his use of the word “taste” is directed to his readers.  It is an invitation to come experience what the psalmist experienced.  It was as we would say, “Do not take my word for it; see for yourselves.”

Often people tend to be quite selfish in seeking God.  Often they have a “what is in this for me” or “God, prove Yourself to me in the manner I want” attitude.  Seeking God becomes about us, not about God.  We want benefits without responsibility.  What we can “get” is all important; God’s integrity is of little to no importance to us.  We focus on our desired benefits given in the manner we wish on our time line.  We often fail to focus on the worthiness of God.

It is too simple for us to conclude that God’s salvation is primarily about us—that has been our emphasis.  Salvation is principally about God.  God created.  He had an objective and purpose in His creation.  God is reclaiming His creation from evil.  Read Romans 8:18-22.  Consider the abundant references in the Old Testament where God acts for His name’s sake (Exodus 3:14, 15; 9:13-16; Leviticus 21:6; 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalm 23:3; Isaiah 12:2-4) or is called upon to act for His name’s sake (Jeremiah 14:7, 21; Psalms 25:11; 79:9).

The psalmist was focused on God.  Certainly, he benefited!  However, he saw God beyond his benefits.  His benefits came as a result of God’s identity.  He marveled at the God who could do only what God can do.  He stood in profound, respectful awe of God. So would any man or woman who was righteous and saw God for who He is!  Though the young of the predators had to await the return of the mother who was successful in her hunt in order to be fed, there was no need to wonder if God would be successful. The Lord God could and would do what he intended!  Nothing prevented that!

Seek to help your students see the psalmist looked beyond his blessings to see the God behind his blessings. Help them see that God blessed because of His identity—because of who He was.  God’s blessings to people are a verification of His nature.

The psalmist said, “Let me teach you about God!  Do you want a full, long life?  Reject the answers of people who do not know God, and who do not adopt God’s values for their guide to life.  (1) Do not do evil—no matter how convenient or profitable it may seem at the moment. 
(2) Do not deceive—always be honest and straightforward.  (3) Focus yourself on doing good—regardless of the view or opinion of others.  (4) Seek peace (do more than merely what you regard to be just)—pursue the well-being of others, even when such is misunderstood and unappreciated.

Emphasize God’s appreciated human values that centered on the ways God’s people treated other people.  People cannot do deeds that affect God’s personal well-being. God is self-existent—He would be God even if we did not exist.  We are His creation; He is not our creation.  Our primary means of expressing appreciation for God is to be seen in the way we treat others—from family to those who are genuinely undeserving.  We are kind to people because God is kind to us.

God is so impressed by such human acts that He hears the cries of such people and opposes their enemies.  God will deliver them out of troubles.  He will be near the brokenhearted.  He will save the humble (the crushed in spirit).

God is kind and gentle to us when we do not deserve His compassion and consideration.  We learn the depth of kindness and the nature of compassion from the way He treats us.  It is His nature that assures us that we can trust Him not to abandon us in difficult times.

This WAS NOT a “no-affliction” Psalm!  The righteous would have afflictions, but they would endure!  The righteous would not be abandoned as would be the wicked.  Those who do wickedness will become the victims of the wickedness they serve.  However, God will NEVER use the righteous to their own detriment nor abandon them.  The righteous may suffer as a result of evil’s war against God, but God is always there for His people.

This Psalm did not promise the righteous that they would not experience affliction—the opposition of evil.  It promised that God would not abandon the righteous in their times of affliction.

For Thought and Discussion

1. The headings of a Psalm are ancient, but they are not what?

They are not a part of the Psalm.

2. In Psalm 34 the psalmist is grateful for what?

He is profoundly grateful for deliverance.

3. The Psalm began how?  There was a sense of what?

The Psalm began by praising God.  There was a sense of overflowing gratitude.

4. The result would be what?

The humble would join him in magnifying God and exalting God’s name.

5. God was depicted as what?  What did God specialize in?

God was depicted as the rescuer who heard the cries of the afflicted and delivered.  God specialized in delivering and protecting.

6. What should motivate people to be righteous?

The identity and actions of God would motivate people to be righteous. 

7. Discuss how personal the psalmist was.

The discussion should include the psalmist’s invitation to “taste” relationship with God.  “Experience the relationship; do not just take my word for it.”

8. How can people be quite selfish in seeking God?

Their primary concern is the benefits they will receive for doing as God requests.

9. What did the psalmist see?  What caused the psalmist to marvel?

The psalmist focused on God—he saw God!  He marveled at who God was and what God could do.

10 The psalmist stood in what?

He stood in profound, respectful awe of God.

11. If a person wanted a long, full life, what four things should be done?

a)    Do not do evil---no matter how convenient or profitable evil may seem.

b)    Do not deceive—always be honest and straight forward.

c)    Focus on doing good—regardless of what others think.

d)    Seek peace—pursue the well-being of others (not just justice).

12.  God is so impressed with the human that does those things, God does what four things?

a)    He hears their cries and opposes their enemies.

b)    He delivers them out of troubles.

c)    He is near the brokenhearted.

d)    He will save the humble.

13. The wicked will become what?  The righteous never are afraid that what will happen?

The wicked will become the victims of the wickedness they serve. The righteous will never fear that God will use them to their own destruction nor abandon them.

Link to Student Guide Lesson 13

Copyright © 2010
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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