If it seems that David was most prolific in His journaling when times were difficult, then I can understand this. I have had periods in my life when words took wings as my pen soared on paper. As a young man, I sought God in the wilderness, and I have screeds of meditations from those days. At various times of trial in my life, this was my refuge.

This acrostic psalm (Ps34) comes from the wilderness wandering story recorded in 1 Samuel 21. It was preceded by the story of David and Jonathon. This joyful and wise psalm seems to have been written from the cave at Adullam. After the deliverance from the Philistines, David is triumphant and relieved. C.f. Pauls similar words in 2 Cor11:30-33.

When one genuinely praises God, he or she wants to draw others into the practice of praise v3. If it is good for one to exalt His name, then it is even better to do it together with His people. David thought to praise God was to magnify Him – that is, to make Him larger in one’s perception.
If we seek, He will deliver (v4) If we look, He will lighten(v5). The more we can think upon our Lord, and the less upon ourselves, the better. Looking to him as he is seated upon the right hand of the throne of God, will keep our heads, and especially our hearts, steady when going through the deep waters of affliction. C.f. 2Cor3:18. He was the poor man v6 who cried out to God and God graciously answered. A cry is short, brief, and bitter. It is the natural language of pain. It has meaning but no music. If we fear (respect) He will surround v7.

The triumph and joy of this Psalm is so clear, it is easy to forget the life context of the Psalm. It is for people who find themselves at the absolute low point in life, which is where David was. Or find themselves between a rock, which in this case was King Saul, and a hard place, which was King Achish. This psalm is for you when everything seems against you.