Psalms 34:12

12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

Psalms 34:12 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
English Standard Version (ESV)
12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
The Message Bible (MSG)
12 Who out there has a lust for life? Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
American Standard Version (ASV)
12 What man is he that desireth life, And loveth [many] days, that he may see good?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
12 Which of you wants a full life? Who would like to live long enough to enjoy good things?
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12 Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
12 Do you love life and want to see many good days?

Psalms 34:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:12

What man [is he that] desireth life?
&c.] Every man desires life, even a natural life; it is more desirable than all things in it; especially an healthful life, without which the blessings and mercies of life cannot be comfortably enjoyed; and still more a life of prosperity; life, with an affluence of good things, and even a long one: though it may be rather that a spiritual life is here meant, and a comfortable one; a life free from the remorses of a guilty conscience, from the fear of hell, damnation, and wrath; from the bondage of the law, and the dread of death; a life of faith on Christ, and communion with him; and a life of sobriety, righteousness, and holiness; and perhaps it may be best of all to understand it of eternal life, which is life eminently and emphatically; it follows,

[and] loveth [many] days;
that is, good ones; as they are interpreted in ( 1 Peter 3:10 ) ; not of this life, for the days of it are evil, and especially when they are lengthened out; the days of old age, ( Ecclesiastes 12:1 ) ; unless the days of the son of man, the days of enjoying the presence of God in his house and ordinances, should be intended; though rather the good and many days of eternity, even length of days, for ever and ever, in which will be fulness of joy, and never ceasing and never fading pleasures;

that he may see good;
there is good to be seen and enjoyed in this life, which if the saints did not believe they should see and enjoy, they would often faint; and this good lies in the participation of the blessings of grace, and in fellowship with Father, Son, and Spirit: but the great and lasting good to be seen and enjoyed is in the world to come, when God shall be all in all, be seen as he is, and the saints shall inherit all things.

Psalms 34:12 In-Context

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Ecclesiastes 3:13; 1 Peter 3:10
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