Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:19,20

Who is this portion talking about?

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:17,18

In what way is the Lord near the broken hearted? Is this linked in some way to having a contrite spirit?

I have been away from the meditations for the Christmas holiday. It is time now to turn our attention back to them.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:17,18

What does “crying out to the Lord” look like?

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Psalm 34:15,16

What does it mean that God will cut off the remembrance of the wicked?

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Psalm 34:15,16

As you count yourself righteous how does it feel to know that God sees everything in your life and hears every word in prayer?

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Psalm 34:15,16

Do you count yourself among the righteous? Why?

Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:12-14

What are some ways to seek and pursue peace?

Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:12-14

What are some ways we use the tongue for evil? What is the best way to keep ourselves from it?

Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:12-14

How does the tongue destroy our desire for life?