Psalms 34, 103 & 145 — Praise, Mercy and Trust (KJV)

Three Psalms for reflection, prayer and praise. Scripture text from the King James Version (KJV).

Psalm 34

A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.

1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

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.

15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Psalm 103

A Psalm of David.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 145

David’s Psalm of praise.

1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

How to Become a Better Listener: 5 Simple Habits That Improve Communication

By Sherwinn “Dupes” Brice

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

We spend years learning how to speak, express ourselves, defend our opinions, and communicate our ideas.

But how much time do we spend learning how to listen?

Listening is one of the most underrated skills in personal development. It influences how we build relationships, manage disagreements, lead teams, raise families, and connect with the people around us.

Yet many of us confuse hearing someone with actually understanding them.

The difference matters.

A good listener doesn’t simply remain quiet while another person speaks. A good listener makes a conscious effort to understand what is being communicated.

Here are five practical habits that can help you become a better listener and improve the quality of your everyday conversations.

1. Give People Your Undivided Attention

One of the simplest ways to improve your listening skills is to become more present.

Think about your last important conversation.

Were you completely focused on the person speaking?

Or were you checking your phone, thinking about work, or mentally preparing your next response?

Distractions communicate disinterest, even when that isn’t our intention.

Try this: During your next conversation, put away unnecessary distractions, maintain comfortable eye contact when appropriate, and give the speaker room to express themselves.

The goal isn’t to stare intensely or perform interest.

It’s to demonstrate genuine attention.

2. Listen to Understand Rather Than Respond

Many conversations become competitions.

One person makes a point. The other prepares a counterargument.

Before long, both people are defending their positions without fully understanding each other.

Active listening requires a different approach.

Instead of immediately asking yourself, “What should I say next?” consider asking, “What is this person trying to communicate?”

This shift can dramatically change the direction of a conversation.

You may discover that the other person’s concern isn’t what you initially assumed.

Try this: Before responding to a disagreement, summarize the other person’s perspective in your own words.

For example:

“So what I’m hearing is that you felt overlooked when that decision was made. Is that correct?”

This creates an opportunity to confirm your understanding before continuing.

Remember, understanding someone’s perspective doesn’t mean you must agree with it.

3. Ask Thoughtful Questions

Good questions are one of the most effective tools for improving communication.

They encourage people to elaborate, clarify their thoughts, and share information that might otherwise remain unspoken.

Instead of jumping directly into advice, try asking:

• “Can you tell me more about that?”
• “What happened next?”
• “What concerns you most about this situation?”
• “How would you like things to change?”
• “Would you prefer advice, or would you simply like me to listen?”

That final question is particularly useful.

Sometimes people want practical solutions.

Other times they want emotional support.

Understanding what someone needs can prevent frustration on both sides.

Try this: Ask at least one follow-up question before offering advice.

4. Avoid Interrupting or Changing the Subject

Interruptions can make people feel dismissed, especially when they’re discussing something personal or emotionally significant.

Even well-intentioned interruptions can redirect a conversation.

For example, someone might begin sharing a difficult experience, only for the listener to respond with a similar story about themselves.

Although this may be an attempt to connect, it can unintentionally shift attention away from the original speaker.

A better approach is to allow the person to complete their thought before sharing your own experience.

Try this: When you feel the urge to interrupt, allow a brief pause before responding.

That extra moment may give the speaker space to finish an important thought.

5. Keep the Focus on the Speaker

One of the most useful communication habits is learning to recognize when we’re making a conversation about ourselves.

Consider the difference between these responses:

“I know exactly how you feel. Something similar happened to me…”

And:

“That sounds like a difficult experience. What happened after that?”

Both may come from a place of empathy.

However, the second response encourages the speaker to continue sharing their experience.

This doesn’t mean you should never talk about yourself.

Healthy conversations involve mutual exchange.

It simply means recognizing when someone else needs the space to be heard.

Try this: Use reflective statements such as “It sounds like…” or “What I’m hearing is…” and invite the speaker to correct your interpretation.

Why Listening Matters in Relationships and Business

Listening isn’t just a social courtesy.

It’s a practical skill that influences almost every area of life.

In personal relationships, listening helps people feel acknowledged and respected.

In business, it can reveal what customers, employees, and collaborators actually need.

In leadership, listening creates opportunities to identify problems before they become larger issues.

And in creative work, listening helps us understand perspectives beyond our own.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, parent, partner, or team leader, developing stronger listening habits can improve the way you connect with others.

However, there’s an important distinction worth making.

Good Listening Doesn’t Mean Giving Up Your Voice

Being a good listener doesn’t require you to agree with everyone.

It doesn’t mean tolerating disrespect or ignoring your own needs.

And it certainly doesn’t mean that your perspective is less important than someone else’s.

Healthy communication requires mutual respect.

Both people should have opportunities to speak, listen, question, and be understood.

The objective isn’t to become the quietest person in the room.

It’s to become someone who understands the value of listening before responding.

You can listen with compassion and still disagree with conviction.

A Simple Listening Exercise You Can Try Today

The next time you’re having a meaningful conversation, practice these three steps:

1. Listen without interrupting. Give the other person an opportunity to complete their thoughts.
2. Ask one clarifying question. Make sure you understand what they’re communicating.
3. Reflect before responding. Briefly summarize what you heard before sharing your perspective.

You don’t need to master all five habits immediately.

Start with one.

Practice it consistently.

And pay attention to how your conversations begin to change.

Final Thoughts

Communication isn’t simply about how effectively we express ourselves.

It’s also about how well we understand the people around us.

The ability to listen with patience, curiosity, and respect can strengthen relationships, improve collaboration, and reduce unnecessary misunderstandings.

And perhaps the most important lesson is this:

Sometimes the greatest contribution you can make to a conversation isn’t what you say. It’s how well you listen.

— Sherwinn “Dupes” Brice

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Join the Conversation

What’s one listening habit you believe more people should practice?

And have you ever experienced a conversation where simply being heard made all the difference?

Share your thoughts and continue the conversation.

For more reflections on creativity, personal growth, relationships, and building a meaningful life, follow Dupes and explore the Digital Dreamers community.