Psalm 34:14

Commentary on Psalm 34:14

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14, King James Version)

✦ Concise takeaway

Psalm 34:14 calls believers to an active, deliberate turning from evil, a wholehearted commitment to doing good, and a persistent pursuit of peace. It is a practical, ethical outworking of trust in the Lord, grounded in the fear of the Lord described throughout Psalm 34.

1. Exegetical Commentary

The immediate context: Psalm 34

Psalm 34[i] is David’s thanksgiving after the Lord delivered him from danger in Gath. It is a psalm of praise, instruction, and encouragement. David invites God’s people to magnify the Lord with him, then teaches them what it means to fear the Lord.

Key verses shaping Psalm 34:14 include:

• Psalm 34:4
  — “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” The psalm is grounded in God’s saving action.
• Psalm 34:11
  — “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” Verses 12 to 22 unpack this teaching. Verse 14 sits at the centre of this instruction.
• Psalm 34:13
  — “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Verse 14 continues the ethical instruction, moving from speech to conduct.

“Depart from evil”

The Hebrew verb carries the sense of turning aside, withdrawing, or rejecting. It is an intentional movement away from what is morally wrong. Evil is not merely avoided; it is renounced.

This echoes other biblical calls:

• Proverbs 3:7
  — “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
• Romans 12:9
  — “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

The fear of the Lord produces moral clarity. Departing from evil is not passive avoidance but decisive repentance.

“And do good”

The psalm does not allow a vacuum. Turning from evil must be matched by active obedience. Goodness is not defined by cultural sentiment but by God’s revealed will.

• Micah 6:8
  — “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee…”
• Ephesians 2:10
  — “For we are his workmanship… created… unto good works…”

Doing good is the fruit of grace. It is the outward expression of a heart transformed by the Lord’s deliverance.

“Seek peace, and pursue it”

Peace in Scripture is more than the absence of conflict. It is wholeness, harmony, and right relationship with God and others.

The verbs “seek” and “pursue” are vigorous. Peace is not stumbled upon; it is chased.

• Romans 14:19
  — “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace…”
• Hebrews 12:14
  — “Follow peace with all men…”

The believer is called to be a peacemaker, reflecting the character of God who reconciles sinners to himself.

The theological centre

Psalm 34:14 is not moralism. It is covenantal ethics grounded in the Lord’s saving grace. The fear of the Lord produces a life shaped by righteousness, goodness, and peace. These qualities reflect the Lord himself:

• He is righteous (Psalm 34:17).
• He is good (Psalm 34:8).
• He is the giver of peace (Psalm 29:11).

The verse therefore calls believers to mirror the character of the God who has redeemed them.

2. Meditation Guide

Reflect

1. Where am I tolerating or excusing evil?
   Evil often hides in habits, attitudes, or unexamined assumptions. Ask the Lord to reveal what needs to be departed from.
2. What good has the Lord prepared for me to do today?
   Goodness is concrete: a word of encouragement, an act of generosity, a choice to obey.
3. Am I seeking peace, or merely avoiding conflict?
   Peace requires courage, humility, and persistence.

Pray

• Ask the Lord for a heart that fears him and therefore hates evil.
• Pray for strength to do good even when it is costly.
• Seek the Spirit’s help to pursue peace in relationships, workplaces, churches, and communities.

Live

• Depart from evil
  Make a deliberate choice to turn from sin. Confess it. Replace it with righteousness.
• Do good
  Look for opportunities to bless others. Goodness is often small, quiet, and unnoticed by the world but precious to God.
• Seek peace
  Initiate reconciliation. Speak gently. Forgive quickly. Build bridges. Persist even when peace is slow.

---

[i] Psalm 34

King James Version

34 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.