King James Version

What Does Psalms 34:12 Mean?

Psalms 34:12 in the King James Version says “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?”

Psalms 34:12 · KJV

Context

10

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

11

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

13

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Read Psalms 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? David poses rhetorical question introducing instruction on fear of LORD. This question assumes universal human desires—long, good life—then teaches how to achieve it (vv. 13-14), connecting godliness with well-being.

What man is he that desireth life uses interrogative to engage hearers. What man (ish) asks universally—who among you? Desireth (chaphets) means delights in, takes pleasure in, wants. Life (chayim) means existence, vitality, thriving. Who desires life? Everyone. This is self-evident human longing—to live, not merely exist; to flourish, not merely survive. Question draws hearers in by naming what they want.

And loveth many days continues describing universal desires. Loveth ('ahab) means to love, delight in, choose. Many days (yamim—days, long time) means longevity, extended life. Ancient world valued long life as blessing (Deuteronomy 5:16, 30:20, Proverbs 3:2,16). Short life was curse; long life was reward. Who loves many days? Everyone. Combined with desiring life, this establishes David's audience includes all humanity—because all want long, good lives.

That he may see good adds purpose clause. See (ra'ah) means to experience, observe, enjoy. Good (tov) means benefit, prosperity, welfare, happiness. Not merely surviving many days but experiencing good throughout them. Quality of life matters, not merely quantity. Who wants to experience good in long life? Every person. David has universal audience because he speaks to universal longings.

Having established that all desire long, good life, David teaches how to attain it (vv. 13-14). Not through self-seeking or wickedness but through fearing God—controlling tongue, departing from evil, pursuing peace. Proverbs develops this theme: Fear of LORD prolongs days (Proverbs 10:27); Length of days is in her [wisdom's] right hand (Proverbs 3:16). Jesus promised: I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). True life comes from fearing God, not pursuing selfish ambitions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Long life as covenant blessing pervades Old Testament. Fifth commandment: Honor father and mother, that your days may be long (Exodus 20:12). Deuteronomy promises long life in land for covenant obedience (Deuteronomy 4:40, 5:33, 6:2, 11:9, 22:7). Wisdom literature connects righteousness with longevity (Proverbs 3:2,16, 9:11, 10:27).

Yet righteous sometimes died young (Abel, Uriah, Zechariah, Jesus' disciples). Resolution: promise applies generally (righteousness typically produces long life) and eschatologically (eternal life for righteous). Proverbs give patterns, not guarantees; wisdom works generally, not universally. Ultimate fulfillment comes in new creation where those fearing God live forever, seeing good eternally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do universal human desires (long life, seeing good) provide evangelistic entry point for teaching fear of LORD?
  2. What is relationship between godliness and longevity, between righteousness and well-being?
  3. How do you balance Proverbs' promises of long life with reality that some righteous die young?
  4. In what ways does desiring life and loving many days reflect being made in God's image?
  5. How does Jesus' promise of abundant life fulfill David's question about seeing good in long life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
מִֽי1 of 8
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הָ֭אִישׁ2 of 8

“What man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הֶחָפֵ֣ץ3 of 8

“is he that desireth”

H2655

pleased with

חַיִּ֑ים4 of 8

“life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אֹהֵ֥ב5 of 8

“and loveth”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

יָ֝מִ֗ים6 of 8

“many days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לִרְא֥וֹת7 of 8

“that he may see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

טֽוֹב׃8 of 8

“good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 34:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 34:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 3:10-12Deuteronomy 30:20Deuteronomy 6:2Psalms 91:16Psalms 4:6Ecclesiastes 3:13

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