(Written by David when he pretended to be mad in front of Abimelech, so that Abimelech would send him away, and David could leave.)34 Title: 1 S 21.13-15.

Honour the LORD

1I will always praise the LORD.

2With all my heart,

I will praise the LORD.

Let all who are helpless,

listen and be glad.

3Honour the LORD with me!

Celebrate his great name.

4I asked the LORD for help,

and he saved me

from all my fears.

5Keep your eyes on the LORD!

You will shine like the sun

and never blush with shame.

6I was a nobody, but I prayed,

and the LORD saved me

from all my troubles.

7If you honour the LORD,

his angel will protect you.

8Discover for yourself34.8: 1 P 2.3.

that the LORD is kind.

Come to him for protection,

and you will be glad.

9Honour the LORD!

You are his special people.

No one who honours the LORD

will ever be in need.

10Young lions34.10 Young lions: In the Psalms wild animals often stand for God's enemies. may go hungry

or even starve,

but if you trust the LORD,

you will never miss out

on anything good.

11Come, my children, listen

as I teach you

to respect the LORD.

12Do you want to live34.12-16: 1 P 3.10-12.

and enjoy a long life?

13Then don't say cruel things

and don't tell lies.

14Do good instead of evil

and try to live at peace.

15If you obey the LORD,

he will watch over you

and answer your prayers.

16But God despises evil people,

and he will wipe them all

from the earth,

till they are forgotten.

17When his people pray for help,

he listens and rescues them

from their troubles.

18The LORD is there to rescue

all who are discouraged

and have given up hope.

19The LORD's people

may suffer a lot,

but he will always

bring them safely through.

20Not one of their bones34.20: Jn 19.36.

will ever be broken.

21Wicked people are killed

by their own evil deeds,

and if you hate God's people

you will be punished.

22The LORD saves the lives

of his servants.

Run to him for protection,

and you won't be punished.