Psalm 34 (KJV): Full Text, Meaning & Prayer
Read Psalm 34 in the King James Version, with what it means verse by verse, the story behind it, and a prayer for when your heart is broken.
Psalm 34 (King James Version)
1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. 11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Psalm 34:1-22, King James Version
A Prayer Based on Psalm 34
Lord, I will bless You today, even if I come to You tired and tender. You have heard me before, and You hear me now.
I bring You my fears, one by one. Take them from my hands, as You promised to deliver me from them all. Let my face be lifted and not ashamed.
You are close to the brokenhearted, so be close to me. Where my spirit is crushed, hold it together. Where I have been hurt, heal me. Where I am afraid, surround me with Your angel.
Teach me to taste and see that You are good. Keep my tongue from bitterness, turn me from evil, and help me to seek peace and pursue it.
I trust You to redeem my soul. Amen.
Short Version
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart. Lord, be near to me today. Amen.
What Psalm 34 Means
Psalm 34 is a song of thanksgiving attributed to David. Its title ties it to the time David pretended to be mad before Abimelech and was driven away. The account in 1 Samuel 21 names the king Achish, and scholars discuss why the names differ; Abimelech may be a royal title. Either way, the psalm comes from a moment of real danger and rescue. In Hebrew it is also an acrostic, with each verse beginning with the next letter of the alphabet.
Verses 1-3: Praise. David begins by blessing God at all times, and invites others to join him. Gratitude is meant to be shared.
Verses 4-7: Rescue. David sought the Lord and was heard. Verse 7 is one of the best-loved images of angels in the Psalms: the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him.
Verses 8-10: Taste and see. Faith is not only an idea but an experience. Those who seek God lack no good thing.
Verses 11-14: Instruction. David turns teacher: guard your speech, turn from evil, and pursue peace.
Verses 15-18: Nearness. The Lord hears the righteous, and is nigh unto the brokenhearted. This is the heart of the psalm, and the reason Psalm 34:18 is so often searched in times of grief.
Verses 19-22: Hope. The righteous still suffer, but the Lord delivers them. Verse 20 is read in John 19:36 as pointing to Christ, whose bones were not broken on the cross.
When to pray it: in fear, in grief, after being hurt, or any day you want to begin with thanksgiving. Many people read it slowly, one section at a time. The Church also uses parts of Psalm 34 in the liturgy.
Scripture to Pray With
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
John 19:36 (KJV)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Psalm 34?
Psalm 34 is traditionally attributed to David. Its title links it to the time he feigned madness before Abimelech, called Achish in 1 Samuel 21.
What is the main message of Psalm 34?
That God hears those who cry to him, protects those who fear him, and is especially near to the brokenhearted.
What does Psalm 34:18 mean?
It says the LORD is close to people whose hearts are broken and saves those whose spirit is crushed. God does not wait for us to recover before drawing near.
What does 'taste and see that the LORD is good' mean?
It invites us to experience God's goodness for ourselves through prayer and trust, not only to hear about it.
Is Psalm 34 a prayer for protection?
Yes. Verse 7 speaks of the angel of the LORD encamping around those who fear him, and verses 17 and 19 promise deliverance from troubles.
Last updated 2026-10-26