Bible Strands
Psalms 34:1
Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks as the author, recording the historical moment when he feigned insanity before a king named Abimelech and was driven away. The verse immediately follows this superscription with a personal declaration of worship.
The words — The Hebrew אֲבָרֲכָ֣ה (’ăḇārăḵāh) translates literally as "I will bless," while תָּ֝מִ֗יד (tāmîd) means "continually" or "always." The phrase תְּֽהִלָּת֥/וֹ (ṯehillāṯô) denotes "his praise," which the text places directly in the speaker’s mouth.
The thread — The text’s command for unceasing praise runs parallel to the instruction to give thanks in every circumstance recorded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It also mirrors the lifelong blessing of God’s name declared in Psalms 145:1.
Why it lands — The text explicitly requires verbal praise to be maintained without interruption, regardless of the speaker’s circumstances. It asks the reader to practice continuous, spoken gratitude as a direct response to God’s character.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Psalms 145:1 A Psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt You, my God and King; I will bless Your name forever and ever.
- Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Psalms 71:8 My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your splendor all day long.
- Psalms 71:14 But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
- Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
- Psalms 71:6 I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.