Psalm 34 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving (Reorientation)
by Pastor Paul Dugan
Try entering into gratitude with this three-part rhythm:
Part 1
Become present to the presence of God:
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1 ESV).
Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being- your body, mind, imagination, affections and emotions. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.
Optional prayer of approach: “Lord, I was just a beggar at the door of grace, but you welcomed me in; heard my story; offered me a seat at your table; commanded the hosts of heaven to watch over me. If only all could trust your goodness- … so many starve outside the banquet hall, while the doors are open and the table is set...” (Sheltering Mercy, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 34).
Part 2
Slowly read from Psalm 34 (ESV) out loud: (for audio versions click here)
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be 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 encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Part 3
Use your own words to pray Psalm 34 back to God:
Begin by personalizing the pronouns in the psalm, turning the words about God into a prayer directly to God. For example, v. 1 (‘I will bless the Lord at all times…’) becomes ‘I will bless YOU, Lord…’ Pray your way through the psalm in this way.
Then gather these thoughts into your own psalm of thanksgiving:
Describe an experience of pain or difficulty…
What reminded you to call on the Lord?
Describe your experience of God’s deliverance, provision, or guidance. Give him thanks!
With whom can you share this story?
The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 34 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.
From the album, I Am Reminded (2018) by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
From the album, Fractures (2017) by Sons of Korah. sonsofkorah.com