Peter meditated on the Psalms and we should too

I wonder how long the Apostle Peter had been meditating on Psalm 34 before he started writing the Epistle of 1 Peter …

"For,

'Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'"
(1 Peter 3v10-12)

Peter quotes Psalm 34 in 1 Peter 2v3 and now extensively in 3v10-12. Commentaries will show you many other places where the language of the psalm is echoed in this letter.

From Psalm 34 …

The title of Psalm 34 describes David driven away from Abimelech, which comes in that long period of time when David was on the run, exiled from the life of his own people.

It is a fitting psalm for those described by Peter as foreigners and exiles, a people scattered across the Roman provinces.

Many people love the Psalms because of the sheer variety of situations and emotions that are described in the Psalter.

Perhaps there is an implicit challenge for us, based on Peter’s example, of identifying the particular psalms that speak to our current situation. Then, having identified specific psalms, spending time meditating, memorising and praying through these psalms.

It is not enough to know that the Psalter is a medicine cabinet well-stocked with everything we need; we must also find the particular balm for our souls in whatever particular circumstance the Lord has placed us in.

… to 1 Peter

Peter uses Psalm 34 to encourage Christians who face trouble, afflictions and fears. He wants to see transformation that starts within us and moves outward into action.

He starts with the tongue: keep it from evil, especially when insulted.

Then he moves out to the lips: do not speak deceitfully, attempting to avoid shame.

Now Peter describes action: turning from evil and doing good.

Finally there is movement: seeking peace and pursuing it.

What can we learn?

From a disciplined tongue to a transformed direction of life, this is the life of the Christian who can see the troubles and afflictions, but who can see even more clearly the fact that we are accountable to the sovereign Lord. When your eyes see danger ahead, remember the eyes of the Lord are on you!

When you hear words of insult and slander, give attention to the wonderful truth that the Lord’s ears are attentive to your prayer! Are you tempted to bad-mouth those who insult you? Give your mouth over to prayer instead.

When people turn against you with evil intent, entrust yourself to the Lord whose face is set against those who do evil, and trust Him with final judgment.

What part of 1 Peter 3v10-12 do you need to put into practice? What part of Christ’s sovereign care over you do you need to remember and take to heart?

Now go and read all of Psalm 34. It was written for you, a Christian who is a foreigner and exile in this world. Meditate on each verse. Turn each verse into prayers of thanksgiving and requests to God.

Here is the path to walk if you wish to love life and see good days.