Psalm 34 2

Psalm 34:2 kjv

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Psalm 34:2 nkjv

My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Psalm 34:2 niv

I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Psalm 34:2 esv

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Psalm 34:2 nlt

I will boast only in the LORD;
let all who are helpless take heart.

Psalm 34 verses

Psalm 34 2 Meaning

Psalm 34:2 declares a deeply personal commitment to glorifying the Lord. It signifies a profound, internal resolve to express praise and confidence not in one's own abilities or possessions, but solely in God. This personal declaration of reliance and triumph in the Lord is not meant for individual satisfaction alone, but has a public and communal impact. It inspires and brings joy to the humble and those who similarly trust in God, reinforcing their faith and dispelling their fears by demonstrating God's faithfulness and ability to deliver.

Psalm 34 2 Context

Psalm 34 is an acrostic psalm attributed to David, according to its superscription, written when he feigned madness before Abimelech (King Achish of Gath, 1 Sam 21:10-15) and was driven away. This historical backdrop is crucial: David, a man facing mortal danger and resorting to an undignified act, subsequently finds deliverance and proclaims God's goodness. The psalm's overall theme is God's protection and deliverance for those who seek Him and fear Him. Verse 2 immediately follows the opening call to praise (v. 1), establishing the personal commitment and then expanding it to its communal benefit, setting the stage for the specific testimonies of deliverance and calls to fear the Lord that follow throughout the psalm.

Psalm 34 2 Word analysis

• My soul (נַפְשִׁי - nap̄šī): Refers to the whole person, the entire inner being, essence, and vitality, not merely emotions or mind. It signifies an intimate, complete, and heartfelt declaration from one's core.
• shall make its boast (תִּתְהַלֵּל - tithallēl): From the root הלל (halal), meaning "to praise, glorify, or boast." The Hithpael (reflexive/intensive) stem implies an active, perhaps exultant or joyful, self-praising or self-glorifying, but always directed in something. Here, it is boasting in the Lord, transforming potential human arrogance into righteous adoration. It implies the self finding its highest commendation and validation by identifying with and declaring the greatness of God, effectively, "I will declare my honor, joy, and triumph because of and in the Lord." This is the root of "Hallelujah."
• in the Lord (בַּיהוָה - bəYahweh): Yahweh (LORD, Jehovah) is the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal, self-existent, faithful, and redeeming character. The "boasting" is exclusively directed towards His person, power, and faithfulness, rather than human merit or achievements. This defines the nature and object of the praise.
• The humble (עֲנָוִים - ʿanāvīm): From the root עָנָו (ʿānāw), meaning "afflicted, lowly, poor, meek." These are not merely those of low social standing but more importantly, those who are lowly in spirit, often oppressed or downtrodden, who recognize their dependence on God and submit to His will. They are contrasted with the proud or self-sufficient. They are the receptive audience for God's works.
• shall hear of it (יִשְׁמְעוּ - yishməʿu): Signifies attentive listening, not just auditory perception. The humble are open to God's work and words, discerning the spiritual truth within the proclamation. They hear the meaning and implications of the personal boast in God.
• and be glad (וְיִשְׂמָחוּ - vəyiśmāḥu): Refers to a deep-seated joy and inner delight, distinct from fleeting happiness. Their gladness comes from realizing God's faithfulness through another's testimony, offering them hope, encouragement, and confirmation of God's power in their own circumstances.

• "My soul shall make its boast in the Lord": This phrase expresses an individual's complete alignment with God as the sole source of honor, glory, and self-worth. It signifies a fundamental reorientation of identity and purpose from self-reliance to divine reliance, where all personal praise finds its true ground in God's nature and actions.
• "The humble shall hear of it and be glad": This second clause highlights the communal impact of individual faith and testimony. It demonstrates how authentic personal worship and experience of God's deliverance serve as a powerful encouragement to others, particularly those who are downtrodden, causing them to rejoice and reinforcing the collective faith. It points to the contagious nature of genuine worship and the solidarity found in shared dependence on God.

Psalm 34 2 Bonus section

The concept of "boasting in the Lord" in this verse serves as a crucial theological corrective to human pride. In many ancient cultures, personal boasting (in wealth, power, wisdom, etc.) was common. Here, David channels all such natural human inclinations towards self-affirmation exclusively towards God. This redefines what it means to truly find honor and significance, moving it from finite human achievements to the infinite character of the Creator. This theme resonates strongly throughout the prophets and the New Testament (e.g., Jer 9:23-24; 1 Cor 1:31).

Furthermore, the connection between "boasting in the Lord" and the joy of the "humble" implies a symbiotic relationship in the spiritual community. Personal testimony validates the experiences of others and gives them hope, while the response of the humble (their joy) validates the worth and power of the personal testimony, fostering a continuous cycle of praise and encouragement within the faithful. This mutual encouragement is essential for resilience in faith, especially for those experiencing hardship.

Psalm 34 2 Commentary

Psalm 34:2 eloquently articulates the essence of God-centered praise. It is a profound declaration that true boast and self-exaltation are found only in the Lord. This isn't empty self-promotion but an internal conviction and external proclamation that one's entire worth and identity are rooted in God's greatness, not in personal achievement. The "boasting" (Hithpael of halal) is an active, reflexive celebration by the soul through and in God, much like the exultant "Hallelujah."

What makes this verse particularly impactful is the ripple effect of this personal declaration. The praise given to God does not remain an isolated act. When an individual expresses their unreserved confidence and delight in the Lord, the humble, the afflicted, and those who patiently await God's help ("anawim") are inspired. Their receptiveness allows them to genuinely "hear" this testimony and experience a shared gladness. This joy stems from realizing that God, who has delivered one of His own, is also capable of delivering them. It fosters spiritual solidarity and hope, showing that genuine personal worship has a vital communal dimension, strengthening the body of believers and reassuring those in distress.