Psalm 34

⁴ I looked to the Lord, and he answered me.
    He saved me from everything I was afraid of.
⁵ Those who look to him have joyful faces.
    They are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called out, and the Lord heard him.
    He saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord stands guard
    around those who have respect for him.
    And he saves them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Blessed is the person who goes to him for safety.
⁹ You holy people of God, have respect for the Lord.
    Those who respect him have everything they need.
¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry.
    But those who look to the Lord have every good thing they need.

¹¹ My children, come. Listen to me.
    I will teach you to have respect for the Lord.
¹² Do you love life
    and want to see many good days?
¹³ Then keep your tongues from speaking evil.
    Keep your lips from telling lies.
¹⁴ Turn away from evil, and do good.
    Look for peace, and go after it.

¹⁵ The Lord looks with favor on those who are godly.
    His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ But the Lord doesn’t look with favor on those who do evil.
    He removes all memory of them from the earth.

¹⁷ Godly people cry out, and the Lord hears them.
    He saves them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken.
    He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.

¹⁹ The person who does what is right may have many troubles.
    But the Lord saves him from all of them.
²⁰ The Lord watches over all his bones.
    Not one of them will be broken.

²¹ Sinners will be killed by their own evil.
    The enemies of godly people will be judged.
²² The Lord will save those who serve him.
    No one who goes to him for safety will be found guilty.