Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
David celebrates a signal deliverance: when he fled to King Achish of Gath, whom he reckoned his deadliest enemy after Saul, he feigned madness to escape certain death. That God granted him escape contrary to all expectation shows a memorable instance of His favor, fit for the instruction of the whole Church.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 34:1-22
Depart from evil. Go away from it. Not merely take your hands off, but yourself off. Live not near the pest house. Avoid the lion's lair, leave the viper's nest. Set a distance between yourself and temptation. And do good. Be practical, active, energetic, persevering in good. Positive virtue promotes negative virtue; he who does good is sure to avoid evil. Seek peace.
A king and warrior, with his head full of cares and hands full of business, did not think it beneath him to gather the children and teach them the fear of the Lord from his own hard experience. The tender branches are more easily bent than the stubborn trees; children will be tractable when their elders refuse instruction.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 34:11-22