Psalm 34:14

Psalm 34:14, in plain English

Beyond just avoiding evil speech, actively turn from evil actions and toward good ones. Then go further: actively pursue peace. This is about momentum—the direction of your life changes what you experience.

Why it's here

David's building a progression: first control your words, then control your choices, then take initiative in seeking peace. It's not passive righteousness; it's active, intentional living. This speaks to people tired of harm and ready for change.

Who's speaking

David, continuing his moral teaching

Where it sits in the story

Jesus would later emphasize this same active righteousness—it's not enough to not sin; followers are called to actively do good, seek reconciliation, be peacemakers.

The scholarly reading

Beyond avoiding evil, righteous living requires active turning toward good and the persistent pursuit of peace as a paramount value.

Language and setting

The construction סוּר מִרָע וַעֲשֵׂה־טוֹב (sur mira wa-aseh-tov, 'turn away from evil and do good') presents a polarity—righteousness is not merely negative restraint but positive action. The concluding imperative בַּקֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם וְרָדְפֵהוּ (bakesh shalom v'rad'phehu, 'seek peace and pursue it') employs pursuit language (the same root used for hunting) to suggest that peace requires active, sustained effort. The term שָׁלוֹם (shalom) encompasses not merely absence of conflict but comprehensive flourishing—relational wholeness, security, and right order.

Voice

The wisdom teacher, advancing from prohibitive to constructive ethics.

Significance

This articulates the beatitude of peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and informs Paul's ethical teaching to 'pursue what makes for peace' (Romans 14:19). It suggests that right living requires both negation and positive construction—a both-and ethics rather than mere abstinence.

12Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?

13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

16But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

Read all of Psalm 34 — Written after David escaped death by pretending to be insane. Out of humiliation comes one of the most beloved invitations in Scripture.