Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Psalms 34

This psalm was penned upon a particular occasion, as appears by the title, and yet there is little in it peculiar to that occasion, but that which is general, both by way of thanksgiving to God an instruction to us. I. He praises God for the experience which he and others had had of his goodness, Psalms 34:1-34:6. II. He encourages all good people to trust in God and to seek to him, Psalms 34:7-34:10. III. He gives good counsel to us all, as unto children, to take heed of sin, and to make conscience of our duty both to God and man, Psalms 34:11-34:14. IV. To enforce this good counsel he shows God’s favour to the righteous and his displeasure against the wicked, in which he sets before us good and evil, the blessing and the curse, Psalms 34:15-34:22. So that, in singing this psalm, we are both to give glory to God and to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. MHBCC 513.1