“The good life is here,” read the sign advertising the new housing development down the street. It communicates the commonly held view that “the good life” is found by being in the right place. What a sad and limiting view!
In contrast, Psalm 34 shows us that the good life comes from knowing the right person. No matter where you are, you can live the good life if you know the goodness of God.
David learned this lesson in one of the darkest moments of his life. He lost his job, was separated from his family, exiled from his country, sentenced to death and fell at his enemy’s gate (1 Sam. 21:10-15). From all angles life was not good. Yet surprisingly when David looked back on the occasion all he saw was goodness!
First, he saw the goodness of God. Psalm 34 begins with ten verses of praise (34:1-10), and ends with twelve verses of preaching (34:11-22). The order is significant. Yes, life is full of “troubles” (34:17). We are often “brokenhearted” and “crushed in spirit” (34:18-19). We are ignorant and needing direction (:11). But these words do not paint the full portrait!
When we step back to see the activity of God the painting is suddenly engulfed in goodness. The vision of God’s goodness comes into focus through praise (:1, personally, “I will;” :3, collectively “let us”). Worship draws our attention to how God hears the prayers of the humble (:6, “this poor man”) and answers them with deliverance and protection (:6-7, “saved” “encamped”), because “the Lord is good” (:8).
David, you are singing my song! I was also brought low by circumstances, personal weakness, and moral failures. I cried out for help and the merciful Lord heard me and helped me. My song of God’s goodness has 1000 verses! Could you not sing along with me?
Life is colored by what we choose to look at the most. If we stick our nose in the dirt all we see is mud. Worship directs our eyes backward, forward and upward to see the activity, promises and character of God. Only then do we see we are surrounded by God’s goodness. See it! Taste it! Don’t just squint your eyes to believe some facts. All of your senses tingle with the experience of his goodness (James 1:17). Once you see His goodness sing it…share it!
It is no coincidence that Peter urged believers enduring a “fiery trial” to reflect on their salvation and remember they “tasted the Lord was good” (1 Pet. 2:3; quoting Psalm 34:10). Their place was temporarily unpleasant, but that could not hide the goodness of God. The same goodness that saved them would follow them all the days of their life so that they “lacked no good thing” (Psalm 23:6; 34:10).
Secondly, the good life is not only a gift from God, but it comes from following the direction of God. David asks, “Is there anyone who wants to love life and see good days?” (34:12). Yes! Me. But is it really possible to love life? Most people “endure life” or even “hate life.” How can we love life? It happens when God’s goodness teaches us to be good to others. This takes three clear forms.
Talk right. “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit” (34:13). If we want to love life, we must change how we talk (Luke 6:45; Phil. 4:8). We cannot keep telling ourselves Satan’s lies without creating hell on earth.
Do good. “Turn away from evil and do good” (34:14). The good life is lived! One reason people “hate life” is because it is all about them. We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10; Heb. 10:24).
Seek peace. “Seek peace and pursue it” (34:14). An active peace between people is the pleasant breeze of the good life. Oh, the heartbreak of conflict, the grief of strife, and the pain of disunity! Blessedness is for “the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:10; Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:14).
Peter used David’s poem to show how the “good life” is a living testimony to the gospel in a trash talking, self-centered, violent world (1 Pet. 3:8-17, note Peter’s exposition of “good” talk, behavior and peace in :13,16(x2)17). The world needs you to live the good life (Matt. 5.13-16)!
The Good Life Has No Broken Bones
David was the first to admit “the afflictions of the righteous are many” (34:19), but he was certain that God “keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken” (34:20). In other words, life may land a few punches, but it will not knock him out.
But is this true? Will the good life survive? Just look at the cross! John applies these words to Jesus (John 19:36, quoting Psalm 34:20). Yes, he was dead when the soldiers came to check on him. So, Jesus’s legs were not broken as the others on the cross. Jesus had more life to live. This is John’s signpost to the resurrection. Ultimately, the good life knows no end!
Tim Jennings