How can we "desire life" and "love many days" according to Psalm 34:12? Opening the verse “Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see many good days? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” – Psalm 34:12-14 God’s prescription for a life worth loving • Guard the mouth – Words set the tone of life’s course (Proverbs 18:21) – Truthful, grace-filled speech keeps relationships healthy and conscience clear – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech” (v. 13) • Turn from evil – Deliberate rejection of sin in thought, habit, and environment – Proverbs 3:7-8 links shunning evil with refreshment and health – Repentance is not one-time but ongoing • Do good – Active righteousness replaces abandoned sin – Ephesians 2:10 reminds that believers are created for good works prepared by God – Goodness is practical: generosity, service, integrity • Seek peace and pursue it – Peace rarely arrives uninvited; it must be chased – Romans 12:18 urges living peaceably “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you” – Peacemaking reflects the character of the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) Why these steps matter 1. God’s attentive care – “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are inclined to their cry” (Psalm 34:15) – Walking the path outlined in verses 13-14 places a person under divine favor 2. Protection from harm – “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:7) – Choosing righteousness shelters life from self-inflicted wounds 3. Enjoyment of good days – Obedience aligns life with the Creator’s design, producing days marked by blessing, not regret – Psalm 91:16: “With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation” Echoes in the New Testament • 1 Peter 3:10-12 quotes Psalm 34:12-16 word-for-word, showing continuity of principle under grace • James 1:26 warns that an unbridled tongue nullifies religious claims • John 10:10 frames life’s fullness in Christ, complementing the Old Testament promise of many good days Practical steps for today • Begin each morning by surrendering words, actions, and attitudes to the Lord • Pause before speaking; ask whether the phrase builds up or tears down • Replace time-wasting or sinful habits with concrete acts of service • Initiate reconciliation where tension exists • Memorize Psalm 34:12-14 and recite it when tempted to gossip or retaliate • Regularly thank God for specific “good days” He provides, reinforcing contentment The bottom line Desiring life and loving many days becomes reality when speech is pure, evil is rejected, good is embraced, and peace is intentionally pursued under the watchful care of the Lord who delights to bless His children. |
    |