Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "pursue it" for peace isn't just about wanting peace; it implies an active, energetic chase, even when peace seems to be running away. This means we're called to actively work towards reconciliation and harmony, not just passively hope for it.
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger exhortation, following David's declaration of learning the "fear of the Lord" and his personal testimony of God's deliverance. He’s now instructing "children" (likely disciples or younger believers) on the practical outworking of this fear, emphasizing how it shapes our interactions with others. This teaching on turning from evil, doing good, and pursuing peace directly follows his advice on guarding one's tongue and lips.
The verse commands a double action: turning from evil and actively doing good. What does it mean to 'turn away' and how is 'doing good' more than just avoiding harm?
Turning from Evil
The call to 'turn away from evil' isn't just about refraining from outright sinful acts. It's a deliberate, conscious decision to detach yourself from anything that pulls you away from God and harms others. Think of it as a strategic retreat from a dangerous battlefield. It means recognizing harmful patterns, influences, or even thoughts, and actively disengaging.
Doing Good
'Do good' is the active counterpart. It's not enough to simply not be evil; we are called to be good. This means proactively seeking opportunities to bless others, to build up, to offer kindness, and to contribute positively to the world around us. It's about investing in the well-being of others, reflecting God's own generous nature.
Peace is not passive! The Psalmist uses a powerful verb to describe how we should approach it. What does it mean to 'seek peace and pursue it'?
Seeking Peace
'Seek peace' implies that peace is something to be actively looked for, not just stumbled upon. It requires intention and a desire to find harmonious relationships and a tranquil inner state.
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Pursuing Peace
The real emphasis here is on 'pursue.' This word suggests an energetic, determined effort. It means that when peace seems distant, or when it's even fleeing from you, you don't give up. You don't just embrace peace when it's easy; you actively chase after it, using all diligence and perhaps even condescension, to restore or maintain it. This doesn't mean compromising on truth, but it does mean exhausting all reasonable means to live harmoniously.
Understand the original words
shalom · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew concept of wholeness, completeness, prosperity, and welfare. It involves not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of right relationship with God and others.
This passage directly echoes the call to live peaceably, reinforcing the idea that pursuing peace with others is a vital part of a godly life.
1 Peter 3:11This verse mirrors the exhortation to 'do good' and 'seek peace,' presenting it as a path that turns away from evil and leads to blessing.
Matthew 5:9Jesus calls the peacemakers 'blessed,' highlighting the active and positive pursuit of peace as a core characteristic of those who belong to God's kingdom.
Proverbs 16:17This proverb describes 'the way of the upright' as 'to depart from evil,' aligning with the first part of the verse and showing the connection between avoiding wrong and righteous living.
Galatians 6:10This verse expands on the concept of 'doing good,' urging believers to actively 'do good to all people,' especially those in the household of faith, which is a practical application of the psalm's command.
calvinPsalms 34:11-14: "Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD."
Come, children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of Jehovah. 12. Who is the man who desireth life, loving days in which he may see good? 13. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking deceit. 14. Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Come, children, [696] hearken unto me. The Psalmist continues, with increased earnestness, to exhort the faithful, tha…
poolePsalms 34:14: "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it."
Depart from evil, i.e. from all sin, and especially from all wicked and injurious acts and practices against try neighbour. Do good; be ready to perform all good and friendly offices to all men, as thou hast opportunity. Seek peace; study by all means possible to live peaceably and quietly with all men, avoiding grudges, debates, dissensions, strifes, and enmities. Pursue it; do not only embrace it gladly when it is offer…
The phrase "pursue it" for peace isn't just about wanting peace; it implies an active, energetic chase, even when peace seems to be running away. This means we're called to actively work towards reconciliation and harmony, not just passively hope for it.
This passage is part of a larger exhortation, following David's declaration of learning the "fear of the Lord" and his personal testimony of God's deliverance. He’s now instructing "children" (likely disciples or younger believers) on the practical outworking of this fear, emphasizing how it shapes our interactions with others. This teaching on turning from evil, doing good, and pursuing peace directly follows his advice on guarding one's tongue and lips.
This passage is part of a larger exhortation, following David's declaration of learning the "fear of the Lord" and his personal testimony of God's deliverance. He’s now instructing "children" (likely disciples or younger believers) on the practical outworking of this fear, emphasizing how it shapes our interactions with others. This teaching on turning from evil, doing good, and pursuing peace directly follows his advice on guarding one's tongue and lips.
"Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." — The phrase "pursue it" for peace isn't just about wanting peace; it implies an active, energetic chase, even when peace seems to be running away. This means we're called to actively work towards reco…
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Last reviewed October 2026