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As we continue walking through Psalm 34, David takes us even deeper into the heart of worship. In verse four he writes, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me” (Psalm 34:4, ESV). That single sentence reveals something foundational: worship is a heart pursuit.

The Hebrew word for “sought” is daras, meaning to seek, inquire, pursue, frequent a place, or ask for. David wasn’t describing a casual moment or a religious routine—he was describing a lifestyle of intentional pursuit. Worship, at its core, is not the pursuit of an experience; it’s the pursuit of God Himself.

David was communicating this truth to the men in the cave of Adullam. Even while hiding, even while afraid, he chose to seek the Lord. And the result? “He answered me.” Worship shifts our focus away from what consumes our thoughts and places it on the only One who can truly help us. As Matt Tapley says, “When we worship, our attention is drawn away from what tends to occupy our minds and placed on the only One who can help us with what preoccupies our mind.”

This is why Scripture teaches us to approach God with thanksgiving and praise. Psalm 100 tells us that this is how we enter His presence. Worship doesn’t try to get God’s attention—it chooses to put our attention on Him. That shift changes the posture of the heart and prepares the soil to receive God’s Word and bear fruit.

God isn’t distant or reluctant to respond. Jeremiah 29:13 reminds us, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” God wants to be found. James echoes this truth: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” When we set our hearts toward Him, He leans in.

Psalm 22:3 tells us that God is enthroned in the praises of His people. When worship rises, God’s rule becomes manifest. The Kingdom—God’s dominion—shows up in worship. That’s why David continues in Psalm 34:4 by saying God delivered him from all his fears.

Fear is simply misplaced faith. It’s trusting the storm instead of the One in the boat. And here’s the good news: worship cancels fear. When we magnify the Lord, fear loses its grip. We are no longer slaves to fear—we are children of God.

David then writes, “Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed” (Psalm 34:5). Shame tries to lock us into our worst moments, but worship is redemptive. We see this powerfully in Luke 7, when a woman known for her sin enters a Pharisee’s house and pours out worship at Jesus’ feet. She chose worship over comfort, Jesus over judgment. While others mocked and condemned her, she fixed her gaze on Him—and shame lost its voice.

Jesus didn’t rebuke her; He honored her. Her worship became a memorial. When you look to Jesus, you are never put to shame.

David closes this section by saying, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6). That’s how God responds to heart-abandoned worship—He saves.

Whatever you need saving from today—fear, shame, anxiety, brokenness—the invitation is the same. Seek Him. Look to Him. Pour out your worship. And let God meet you there.