The life of the psalmist David, the most prolific author of praise in all of Scripture, was hardly one of continual happiness and tranquility. Despite years of faithful service, he incurred the jealousy and rage of King Saul, and was forced to flee his own home in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on his back. He sought refuge in the land of the Philistines, but things went no better for him there, and he found himself in the hands of his enemies (1 Sam. 21:11-12, Psa. 56 title). In the midst of a desperate situation, he turned to God in prayer, professing: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Psa. 56:3). As He had so many times before, God came to his rescue, causing the Philistine king to believe David when he feigned insanity, and he once again escaped with his life (1 Sam. 21:14-22:1).
It was following this Divine deliverance (Psa. 34 title) that David, his heart full of praise, composed the 34th Psalm: "I will bless the Lord at all times... my soul shall make her boast in the Lord... O magnify the Lord with me..." Throughout the ups and downs of his long earthly journey, David remained fixed on God. In weakness, he sought his power; in sin, he prayed for his mercy; and in deliverance, he sang of his power and glory.
If we, like David, keep our eyes on our Shepherd, we will find peace in knowing that joys and trials come to us from the same loving Hand, and that He is working through both to bring about our eternal good (Rom. 8:28).
All Scripture references from KJV. Commentary ©2011 Hitchcock Family Ministry. Unaltered text may be reproduced freely without financial gain. Original commentary and Scripture song available at http://www.freescripturesongs.org/I-will-bless-the-Lord.