Bless the Lord at All Times

(Psalm 34:1)

Mike Johnson

According to its title, David wrote Psalm 34 during the time he was fleeing from Saul.  Seeking refuge, he fled to Gath.  When discovered there, David faked insanity to avoid harm. He then escaped to the cave of Adullam.  Although his family and 400 loyalists would eventually join him, he would have been there alone for a time, which is perhaps the background of this writing.  In verse 1, he says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  David was facing so much adversity.  If we are correct with the time frame of events, he is a fugitive, isolated, and living in a cave.  The possibility of receiving help from the Philistines has fallen through.  Yet, despite his circumstances, he would continuously (“at all times”) praise God.  Adversity did not stop his desire to worship.  Elsewhere, in Psalm 146:2, the Psalmist says, “While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

David also says he would praise him with his mouth (1b).  He did not just silently praise God in his heart — he would express his praise in such a way so others might hear him.  Psalm 92:1-2 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”

Today, like David, we should praise God at all times — no matter what happens.  We should bless Him when prosperous or poor, happy or sad, healthy or sick, both publicly and privately.