Psalms 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This verse echoes fundamental biblical ethics. Amos 5:14-15 commands: Seek good, not evil, that you may live...Hate evil, love good, establish judgment in gate. Isaiah 1:16-17 calls: Cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek judgment, relieve oppressed. Micah 6:8 summarizes: What does LORD require? To do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.
Jesus continued this teaching. Love your enemies, do good to those hating you (Luke 6:27). Blessed are peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Paul commanded: Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). 1 Thessalonians 5:15: See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 1 Peter 3:11 quotes this verse directly as Christian ethic.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific evils do you need to depart from, and what practical steps will you take to turn away?
- How does actively doing good differ from merely not doing evil?
- Why does David command both seeking and pursuing peace—what's difference between initiating and persisting in peacemaking?
- In what relationships do you need to actively pursue peace rather than passively avoiding conflict?
- How do these three imperatives (depart, do, pursue) provide comprehensive framework for sanctification?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. David continues practical instruction on fearing LORD with three imperatives addressing behavior. This moves from speech (v. 13) to conduct, establishing that godliness requires both negative separation (depart from evil) and positive action (do good, pursue peace).
Depart from evil commands separation. Depart (sur) means turn aside, turn away, remove oneself. Evil (ra') means bad, wicked, harmful, morally wrong. This is active rejection, not passive avoidance. Requires identifying what God calls evil then decisively turning away. Reformed sanctification includes mortification—putting to death sinful patterns, habits, desires. Cannot fear God while embracing evil; must intentionally, repeatedly, decisively depart from it.
And do good provides positive counterpart. Do ('asah) means make, produce, perform, accomplish. Good (tov) means beneficial, righteous, morally right. Sanctification isn't merely avoiding bad but actively pursuing good. Ephesians 4:22-24 commands: Put off old man...put on new man created in righteousness and true holiness. Romans 12:21: Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good. Christian life requires positive godliness, not merely negative abstinence.
Seek peace, and pursue it addresses relationships. Seek (baqash) means search for, inquire after, desire. Peace (shalom) means wholeness, harmony, well-being, reconciliation. And pursue (radaph) intensifies—chase after, follow hard, persistently hunt. Seeking initiates; pursuing persists. Peace requires active effort—initiating reconciliation, maintaining harmony, resolving conflicts, promoting unity. Romans 12:18: If possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all. Hebrews 12:14: Pursue peace with all, and holiness without which no one will see Lord.
These three imperatives (depart, do, pursue) summarize practical godliness. Turn from sin, practice righteousness, maintain peace. This is comprehensive sanctification—ethical (depart from evil), moral (do good), relational (pursue peace). Fearing LORD manifests in transformed behavior affecting self, neighbors, God.