Guiding Principles for Turning Away from Evil in Psalm 34:14
Psalm 34:14 (LEB) states, "Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it" [1]. This verse offers a concise directive for righteous living, building upon the preceding verse which emphasizes controlling one's speech to avoid evil and deceit [2, 9].
The command to "depart from evil" implies that evil is often close at hand and requires conscious effort to avoid [3]. This includes shunning evil people and their company, as well as evil actions, words, and even the appearance of evil [3]. The fear of God is understood to manifest itself in a hatred of evil and a turning away from it [3]. John Calvin notes that repentance, which involves turning from evil, begins with a dread and hatred of sin, not merely a fear of punishment, but an abhorrence of sin because it displeases God [7].
Following the negative command to "depart from evil" is the positive injunction to "do good" [3]. Rabbinic tradition, as found in the Babylonian Talmud, emphasizes that it is not sufficient merely to avoid evil; one must actively engage in good [4, 5]. This "good" is often equated with the study and practice of Torah [4, 5]. John Gill interprets "do good" as encompassing not only acts of beneficence but every good work directed by God's word, performed from principles of faith and love [3]. Augustine of Hippo connects "doing good" with righteousness, seeing it as a distinct virtue from merely turning away from evil [8].
The final part of the verse, "Seek peace and pursue it," highlights the active nature of this pursuit [1]. The way of peace leads to harmony and order, in contrast to evil which destroys them [6]. Augustine suggests that perfect peace is achieved when human nature is inseparably connected to its Creator, eliminating internal conflict [8]. This pursuit of peace extends beyond personal tranquility to actively seeking reconciliation and harmony with others. The concept of peace in this context can be understood as a holistic well-being and right relationship, both with God and with fellow human beings [6].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 34:14 (LEB) — Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 34:13: Keep thy tongue from evil,.... This, and what follows in this verse and Psa 34:14, point at the things wherein the fear of God shows itself; and suggest, that those who have it, and which is known by these fruits, shall enjoy the desirable and good days before mentioned. The tongue is an instrument of much evil, an unruly member, and needs restraint; and it is from evil, and not from good, it is to be kept; from evil speaking of God, from cursing and swearing; from evil speaking of men, reproaching and reviling them; from filthy speaking, from all obscene and unchast”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 34:14: Depart from evil,.... This denotes that evil is near to men; it keeps close to them, and should be declined and shunned: and it regards all sorts of evil; evil men, and their evil company; evil things, evil words and works, and all appearance of evil; and the fear of the Lord shows itself in an hatred of it, and a departure from it, Pro 8:13; and do good; not only acts of beneficence to all in necessitous circumstances, but every good work; whatever the word of God directs, or suggests should be done; and which should be done from right principles of faith and love”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 19b.10: The psalm continues: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15). The Gemara explains: Lest one say: I have kept my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking guile, I will therefore go and indulge in sleep. To counter this possibility, the verse states: “Depart from evil, and do good,” i.e., it is not enough to avoid evil, but one must actively do good. And the word good means nothing other than Torah, as it is stated: “For I have given you a good portion; My Torah, do not abandon it” (Proverbs 4:2).”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 153b.38:10: The psalm continues: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15). The Gemara explains: Lest one say: I have kept my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking guile, I will therefore go and indulge in sleep. To counter this possibility, the verse states: “Depart from evil, and do good,” i.e., it is not enough to avoid evil, but one must actively do good. And the word good means nothing other than Torah, as it is stated: “For I have given you a good portion; My Torah, do not abandon it” (Proverbs 4:2).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 34:14: 34:14 The way of peace leads to harmony and order, whereas evil destroys them (see 37:11).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 58: leading sinners to reflect that worse awaits them if they do not quickly repent. There is an example of this in the 29th chapter of Deuteronomy. As repentance begins with dread and hatred of sin, the Apostle sets down godly sorrow as one of its causes ( 2 Cor. 7:10 ). By godly sorrow he means when we not only tremble at the punishment, but hate and abhor the sin, because we know it is displeasing to God. It is not strange that this should be, for unless we are stung to the quick, the sluggishness of our carnal nature cannot be corr”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — ON CONTINENCE. (part 16): evil. But to do good seems to pertain to another virtue, that is, to righteousness.(4) This the sacred Psalm admonishes us, where we read, "Turn away from evil, and do good." But with what end we do this, it adds bye and bye, saying, 386 "Seek peace, and ensue it."(1) For we shall then have perfect peace, when, our nature cleaving inseparably to its Creator, we shall have nothing of ourselves opposed to ourselves. This our Saviour also Himself would have us to understand, so far as seems to me when He said, "Let your loin”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 34:13: 34:13 Godly people control their words; speaking evil and telling lies are foolish (see 10:7; cp. 17:1).”