Thanksgiving for Yahweh’s Deliverance

¹ Of David, when he ⌞pretended to be crazy⌟¹ in front of Abimelech² so that he drove him out, and so he departed.³ I will bless Yahweh at all times; his praise shall be in my mouth continually.

1. Literally “he changed his discernment”
2. Literally “my father is king” whereas 1 Sam 21:10(9) has “Achish.” “Abimelech” is perhaps an honorific title, since its literal meaning suggests a legitimate right to rule
3. The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one

² My soul makes its boast in Yahweh; let the humble hear and be glad.

³ Magnify Yahweh with me, and let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought Yahweh and he answered me, and from all my terrors he delivered me.

⁵ They looked to him and were radiant, and their faces shall not be ashamed.¹

1. Or “and let not their faces be ashamed”

⁶ This poor man called and Yahweh heard, and saved him from all his troubles.

⁷ The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and he rescues them.

⁸ Taste and see that Yahweh is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

⁹ Fear Yahweh, you his saints,¹ for there is no lack for those who fear him.

1. Or “holy ones”

¹⁰ The young lions are in want and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh will not lack for any good thing.

¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

¹² Who is the man who desires life, who loves many days in order to see good?

¹³ Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of Yahweh are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry for help.

¹⁶ The face of Yahweh is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

¹⁷ They¹ cry out and Yahweh hears and delivers them from all of their troubles.

1. That is, the righteous

¹⁸ Yahweh is near to those who are heartbroken and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the distresses of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.

²⁰ He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will incur guilt.

²² Yahweh redeems the life of his servants, and none who take refuge in him will incur guilt.