One glaring proof of the Bible’s inspiration is its complete honesty. Noah, the builder of a massive ark which saved his family and himself, got drunk. Lot, a preacher of righteousness, fathered two sons through incest. Abraham, the father of the faithful, lied about his wife…twice. David—the fearless giant slayer—lied to the high priest, violated the sanctity of the tabernacle’s shewbread, and became so scared of the king of Gath that he pretended to be crazy (1 Samuel 21).
The superscription of Psalm 34 indicates that this composition was probably written in or near the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1). After David had the opportunity to reflect upon the cause and irrationality of his fear, he wrote of his resolution and its rationale.
His resolution was: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad” (vv. 1-2).
His rationale for this resolution was that fear was irrational and sinful in the life of one who intends to walk by faith in Jehovah, because:
- Jehovah is the God of deliverance. “I sought the Lord, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them” (vv. 4-7).
- Jehovah is the God of goodness. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (vv. 8-10).
- Jehovah is the God of righteousness. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned” (vv. 15-21).
- Jehovah is the God of redemption. “The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned” (v. 22).
Since Jehovah Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, David was determined to boldly declare, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” and to resolutely live accordingly.
What a worthy example!
