“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”
The psalmist describes how those who look to God are radiant with light and their faces are never covered with shame. The verb "look" suggests directed attention and hopeful expectation. The image of faces radiant with light suggests not merely external beauty but manifestation of inner joy and blessing. The promise that faces will never be "covered with shame" emphasizes the reversal of social disgrace. The verse suggests that faith produces visible effects. The verse invites the assembly to recognize that faith in God is visible in its effects.
Church Fathers on Psalms 34:5
A psalm of David, when he changed his countenance before Abimelech, and he sent him away, and he departed. 1. Because there was there a sacrifice after the order of Aaron, and afterwards He of His Own Body and Blood appointed a sacrifice after the order of Melchizedek; He changed then His Countenance in the Priesthood, and sent away the kingdom of the Jews, and came to the Gentiles. What then is, “He affected”? He was full of affection. For what is so full of affection as…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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