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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Psalms 34:12–21

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

49 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 12

  1. 1 Peter 3:10–12Rank 1 from verse 12
    Open

    10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

    11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

    12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

  2. Deuteronomy 30:20Rank 2 from verse 12
    Open

    20That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

  3. Deuteronomy 6:2Rank 3 from verse 12
    Open

    2That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

  4. Psalms 91:16Rank 4 from verse 12
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    16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

  5. Ecclesiastes 12:13Rank 5 from verse 12
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    13¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

From verse 13

  1. James 3:5–10Rank 1 from verse 13
    Open

    5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

    6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

    7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

    8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

    9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

    10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

  2. Psalms 141:3Rank 2 from verse 13
    Open

    3Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

  3. Proverbs 21:23Rank 3 from verse 13
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    23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

  4. 1 Peter 2:22Rank 4 from verse 13
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    22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

  5. Colossians 3:9Rank 5 from verse 13
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    9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

From verse 14

  1. Psalms 37:27Rank 1 from verse 14
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    27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

  2. 1 Peter 3:11Rank 2 from verse 14
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    11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

  3. Hebrews 12:14Rank 3 from verse 14
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    14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

  4. 3 John 1:11Rank 4 from verse 14
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    11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

  5. Romans 12:9Rank 5 from verse 14
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    9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

From verse 15

  1. 1 Peter 3:12Rank 1 from verse 15
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    12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

  2. Psalms 34:17Rank 2 from verse 15
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    17The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

  3. Psalms 33:18Rank 3 from verse 15
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    18Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

  4. Job 36:7Rank 4 from verse 15
    Open

    7He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

  5. Psalms 130:2Rank 5 from verse 15
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    2Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

From verse 16

  1. Proverbs 10:7Rank 1 from verse 16
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    7The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

  2. Jeremiah 17:13Rank 2 from verse 16
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    13O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.

  3. Jeremiah 44:11Rank 3 from verse 16
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    11¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.

  4. Job 18:17Rank 4 from verse 16
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    17His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.

  5. Leviticus 17:10Rank 5 from verse 16
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    10¶ And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

From verse 17

  1. Psalms 145:18–20Rank 1 from verse 17
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    18The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

    19He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

    20The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

  2. Isaiah 65:24Rank 2 from verse 17
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    24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

  3. Psalms 34:19Rank 3 from verse 17
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    19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

  4. Psalms 34:6Rank 4 from verse 17
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    6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

  5. Psalms 91:15Rank 5 from verse 17
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    15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

From verse 18

  1. Psalms 147:3Rank 1 from verse 18
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    3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

  2. Psalms 145:18Rank 2 from verse 18
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    18The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

  3. Isaiah 57:15Rank 3 from verse 18
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    15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

  4. Isaiah 61:1Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    1THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

  5. Psalms 51:17Rank 5 from verse 18
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    17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

From verse 19

  1. Psalms 34:17Rank 1 from verse 19
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    17The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

  2. 1 Peter 4:12–13Rank 2 from verse 19
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    12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

    13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

  3. 2 Corinthians 4:17Rank 3 from verse 19
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    17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

  4. Psalms 34:6Rank 4 from verse 19
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    6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

  5. John 16:33Rank 5 from verse 19
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    33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

From verse 20

  1. John 19:36Rank 1 from verse 20
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    36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

  2. Psalms 35:10Rank 2 from verse 20
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    10All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

  3. Psalms 91:12Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

  4. Daniel 6:22–24Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

    23Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

    24¶ And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

From verse 21

  1. Psalms 94:23Rank 1 from verse 21
    Open

    23And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.

  2. Isaiah 3:11Rank 2 from verse 21
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    11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  3. Proverbs 24:16Rank 3 from verse 21
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    16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

  4. 2 Thessalonians 1:9Rank 4 from verse 21
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    9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

  5. Psalms 37:12–15Rank 5 from verse 21
    Open

    12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

    13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

    14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

    15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:12

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

see

↗

Sense 1: To perceive or behold with the eyes or in a vision. Sense 2: To observe, examine, discover, ascertain, consider, understand, know, or recognize. Sense 3: To visit, meet, converse with, or be in the presence of. Sense 4: To experience, undergo, endure, or enjoy. Sense 5: To attend to, take care, ensure, or beware.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:13

COMBINED MEANING

keep

↗

To guard, watch, protect, preserve, secure, retain, possess, hold, maintain, support, tend, manage, observe, obey, fulfil, celebrate, continue in, refrain from, or remain faithful to a person, place, trust, command, promise, way, time, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

guile

↗

Deceit, treachery, fraud, or deceitful cunning used to mislead or entrap.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:14

COMBINED MEANING

depart

↗

1. To leave, go away, or move from a place or person. 2. To cease to remain, be removed, disappear, or pass away. 3. To turn or separate from a way, practice, allegiance, or relationship. 4. To leave earthly life or this world.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

peace

↗

Freedom from war, strife, disturbance, or inward trouble; quietness, reconciliation, safety, or well-being.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pursue

↗

1. To follow or chase in order to overtake. 2. To seek after and continue earnestly toward an aim.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:15

COMBINED MEANING

eyes

↗

The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ears

↗

Plural form of ear. Sense 1: The organ of hearing. Sense 2: The seed-bearing head of grain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

open

↗

Sense 1: Unclosed, uncovered, or manifest. Sense 2: As a verb, to uncover, reveal, or explain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cry

↗

1. A vocal call, shout, proclamation, alarm, wail, or other utterance, often loud. 2. An earnest appeal, prayer, complaint, or outcry for help, justice, or attention. 3. As a verb, to call out, shout, proclaim, wail, appeal, pray, or complain; figuratively, to bear urgent witness or demand notice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:16

COMBINED MEANING

face

↗

The front of the head and its countenance or expression; the front, surface, outward appearance, presence, view, or personally known identity of a person, place, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cut

↗

Sense 1: To divide, sever, remove, or wound with a sharp instrument. Sense 2: Figuratively, to grieve deeply or bring to an end.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

remembrance

↗

1. The act or state of remembering; recollection or mindful regard; the continued memory or notice of someone or something. 2. Something that brings or keeps someone or something to mind; a memorial or reminder.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rememberance

↗

1. The act or state of remembering; recollection or mindful regard; the continued memory or notice of someone or something. 2. Something that brings or keeps someone or something to mind; a memorial or reminder.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:17

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cry

↗

1. A vocal call, shout, proclamation, alarm, wail, or other utterance, often loud. 2. An earnest appeal, prayer, complaint, or outcry for help, justice, or attention. 3. As a verb, to call out, shout, proclaim, wail, appeal, pray, or complain; figuratively, to bear urgent witness or demand notice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:18

COMBINED MEANING

nigh

↗

Near or close in place, time, relationship, kinship, condition, access, or degree; approaching, drawing close, at hand, or almost.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

saveth

↗

Third-person singular present form of save (to rescue, preserve, deliver, or keep from loss or danger).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

contrite

↗

Broken and humbled in heart or spirit; deeply sorrowful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:19

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 34:21

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hate

↗

To feel strong dislike, aversion, or enmity toward; in comparisons, to love less.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

desolate

↗

1. Of a place or land, left empty, uninhabited, waste, ruined, barren, or without former use and fruitfulness. 2. Of a person or people, bereft, forsaken, solitary, or left without help, comfort, family, or support. 3. As a verb, to make empty, waste, ruined, or bereft.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Psalms 34:1–22

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

Read all 22 verses in Psalms 34:1–22

34:1I WILL bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

34:2My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

34:3O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

34:4I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

34:5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

34:6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

34:7The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

34:8O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

34:9O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

34:10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

34:11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

34:12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

Selected passage

34:13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

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34:14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

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34:15The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

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34:16The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

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34:17The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

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34:18The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

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34:19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

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34:20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

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34:21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

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34:22The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

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