Deliverance in Disguise
Psalm 34
Many accept that Psalm 34 responds to David’s encounter with Achish, king of Gath, as recorded in 1 Samuel 21. David had good reason to fear in Philistine territory—he had already slain Goliath, their great warrior (chapter 17). His reputation as a fierce fighter preceded him, echoed in songs and dances. Strangely, rather than feeling emboldened, David feared the king of Gath.
To escape danger, David pretended to be insane. His act led Achish to dismiss him as harmless, allowing David to leave unscathed—without retaliation for Goliath’s death or the thousands David defeated in battle.
Psalm 34 offers David’s testimony of praise, written after his escape—likely not long after. Some scholars suggest he penned it in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1), his first stop after Gath. There, David not only gathered an army but also paused to praise God.
The psalm invites others to magnify the Lord with him (v.3), which raises an intriguing question: did the 400 men who joined him in the cave take part in this praise? Why should they magnify the Lord? Because David sought the Lord, and the Lord delivered him from all his fears (v.4).
This passage prompts deeper reflection. 1 Samuel 21 offers no evidence that David prayed or asked for deliverance. Instead, his escape appears rooted in his performance of madness, not a divine intervention. There’s no mention of angels in the story, yet Psalm 34 describes an angel delivering him (v.7).
These discrepancies draw us into the mystery of prayer. How does God respond to prayer? Does He act directly, as when fire fell from heaven on Mount Carmel? Does He work through people’s actions, like when Moses struck the rock and water poured out? Or does He use human effort—like David’s feigned madness—infusing it with divine power to achieve His purpose?
David’s collection of psalms embraces all three possibilities. This particular psalm emphasizes the third: David prayed (though unrecorded in 1 Samuel), acted boldly, and experienced God’s deliverance. We shouldn't discount Spirit-led actions as anything less than God at work.
The identity of the "angel of the Lord" (v.7) has long puzzled readers. Is it a regular angel, an archangel, or the preincarnate Christ? Many lean toward the third interpretation, based on similar Old Testament appearances. For instance, in Judges 6, the angel of the Lord speaks of God as distinct (v.12) yet is also identified as the Lord Himself (v.16). The angel even sits beneath a tree—appearing in human form. These elements suggest the angel is both with and distinct from the Lord, embodying the preincarnate Christ.
In Psalm 34, David testifies that the angel of the Lord encamps around all who fear Him, not just David. And the psalm offers a clearer picture of what it means to fear the Lord. It includes tasting and seeing that He is good (v.8), seeking refuge in Him (v.8), pursuing Him (v.10), obeying His commands (vv.11–14), turning from evil (v.16), and crying out for help (v.17). Fearing the Lord isn’t just trembling before His power—it’s delighting in His goodness, submitting to His authority, and resting in His care. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord.
This song invites us to follow David’s example: cry out to the Lord for deliverance. But we must do so with humility (v.2), reverence (v.11), obedience (v.13), and trust (v.22), making Him our only refuge.
How might the Lord deliver you from your troubles? Will His hand move directly? Will He bless an action you take? Or will He guide your steps to act, then bring success through those efforts? These are important questions.
Perhaps we should pray about that.