The Nugget:
Psa 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (KJV)
Psa 34:10 Justly do the proud fall into hunger and want; blessing they lack not that look to him. (Knox translation)
Psa 34:10 The rich have become poor and hungry: but they that seek the Lord diligently shall not want any good thing. Pause. (LXX., Brenton translation)
Psa 34:10 (34:11) The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)
Psa 34:9-10 The rich have become poor and suffer hunger; 10 They that seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Lamsa translation from the Peshitta, the Authorized Bible of the Church of the East, by George M. Lamsa)
Psa 34:10 Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing. (TPT, The Passion Translation)
Psa 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; But they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing. (ASV, American Standard Version)
Psa 34:10 Even lions go hungry for lack of food, but those who obey the LORD lack nothing good. (GNB, Good News Bible)
Psa 34:10 Young lions go hungry and may starve, but those who seek the LORD’S help have all the good things they need. (GW, God’s Word translation)
Psa 34:10 The young lions are in need and have no food; but those who are looking to the Lord will have every good thing. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)
Psa 34:10 Even strong lions get weak and hungry, but those who go to the LORD for help will have every good thing. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)
Psa 34:10 Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
I find it interesting that the Hebrew text reads “lions” where the Greek, Latin, and Syriac read “proud” or “rich.” In any case, the general truth expressed is that if you trust or go to the Lord for help, you will lack nothing good. As noted before, a general truth is not always true in every individual case. This seems to be an important principle. Related in principle, some Bible promises may have applied to the time and individuals who were directly addressed, and in our time are less often the case, as with prayer promises (+Mat 17:20) in the light of the possible present “Silence of God” (Isa 61:2 note).
To dig deeper into the themes and subjects mentioned in Psalm 34:10, read and study the following expanded references developed for the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
Psalms 34:10
lions. Instead of כפירים kephirim, the young lions, one of Kennicott’s MSS. has כבירים cabbirim, “powerful men.” The Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopic, Syriac, Arabic, and Anglo-Saxon have the same reading. Houbigant approves of this; and indeed the sense and connection seem to require it (Adam Clarke). Psa 7:2; Psa 35:17; Psa 104:21, Job 4:10, 11; Job 18:12; Job 38:39, +Isa 5:29, Jer 51:38, Ezk 38:13, Dan 6:22, 23, Luk 1:51, 52, 53, Jas 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Jas 5:1, 2, 3, 4.
do lack. To be poor, to suffer want, to be needy: Pro 14:20; Pro 18:23 (Barnes). 1Sa 2:7, Job 4:11, Pro 17:5.
but they that seek. +**Psa 9:10 note. +*Psa 84:11, Jos 21:45, +1Ch 16:11 note. 2Ch 14:7, Job 23:12, Jer 15:16, Dan 10:12, *Mat 6:11; Mat 6:32; *Mat 6:33, +*Luk 11:9; *Luk 12:31, Act 17:11, 12, *Php 4:11; Php 4:18; Php 4:19.
not want. Psa 34:9, *Psa 23:1; *Psa 37:3; *Psa 37:25; Psa 111:5, Lev 25:21, 1Sa 2:5; 1Sa 30:19, *1Ki 17:6; *1Ki 19:5, *Neh 9:21, Pro 10:3; Pro 13:25, %Isa 32:6; Isa 33:16; Isa 40:30, 31; Isa 58:11; Isa 65:13, Jer 37:21, Mat 6:11; Mat 6:31, Luk 9:12; Luk 12:28, Act 4:34.
any good thing. “Good” is emphatic; they may be afflicted, but this may be a good (2Co 4:17, 2Co 4:18; Heb 12:10; Heb 12:11), JFB; see +*Psa 119:67, 71, 75. Psa 107:9, Pro 22:4, +*Mat 6:33; Mat 7:11, Luk 1:53; Luk 22:35, Php 4:19, Jas 1:17.