Going “Deep Sea Diving” into God’s Word means we are exploring and understanding the Bible. It involves more than just surface-level reading; it means we are studying its deeper meanings, historical context, and highlighting any personal significance to gain a richer understanding of its teachings.
The first step is to understand the historical and cultural context of a chapter. This includes the background, cultural context, and the biblical context.
When we look at the background of Psalm 34, we will discover that this psalm was written by David who composed it after acting insane before Abimelech as described in 1 Samuel 21 verses 10 to 15. The setting was during a time when he was running away from King Saul and encountered Abimelech.
The cultural context involves understanding the norms, practices, and beliefs of the time and place to better grasp the meaning and significance of the Scriptures. For Psalm 34, seeking God was a common expression of devotion and reliance. It involved earnest prayer, worship, and trust in God’s intervention. I found it interesting that in the ancient world, fear was tied to personal danger, enemies, or divine judgment. Being freed from fear was seen as a sign of divine favor and protection.
The biblical context refers to understanding a passage in relation to the surrounding verses, chapters, and books within the Bible. Many bible teachers or preachers talk a lot about “context” and how “context is key”. So, for Psalm 34, we will find out that there is not only a theme of deliverance in this chapter, but it also talks about trust and fear.
Therefore, when we are deep diving into God’s word, we must understand these three key factors: background, cultural context, and the biblical context.
To summarize Psalm 34 verses 1 to 3, it is a call to praise and worship. David vows to bless the Lord at all times and invites others to join in exalting God’s name. It emphasizes that God’s goodness and deliverance are reasons for collective rejoicing and gratitude. (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!)
Now, we ready to deep dive into Psalm 34 verse 4 that says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” In understanding this verse, it reveals that David, in a time of fear and distress, earnestly sought the Lord through prayer and trust. It shows that David’s relationship with God (that history with God that I’ve talked about before) was characterized by trust and reliance, and he experienced God’s response and deliverance from his fears. Seeking the Lord was a proactive step in David’s deliverance. This is our reminder that when we seek God, it is an action—we must do something: pray, worship, repent, or read the Word! David’s seeking of the Lord is showing us as well that earnest pursuit of God is closely linked with receiving His help and freedom from our fears. Think about it: why would we serve a God who we could not trust, run to for rescue, or cry out for help?
When we look at or think about the nature, the character of God’s response to our fears and our need for deliverance, itteaches us in verse 4 that God is responsive and attentive to our fears and needs. Psalm 34:15 reminds us by saying, “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.” Then the Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” So, when we earnestly seek God, He is faithful to answer and deliver us from our concerns. It is not only in Psalm 34 that we see God’s nature as a protector and rescuer who is actively involved in addressing our fears, but this characteristic of God is evident all throughout Scripture.
Psalm 34 verse 4 assures us that God will indeed deliver us when we seek Him. Remember, His power and willingness to help His children will far exceed our fears.