An acrostic psalm

This is the psalm I prepared for the April Taize service. I'm posting it separately because it needs a little explanation. It's the first few verses of Psalm 34. Psalm 34 is an acrostic psalm in Hebrew, meaning that the first letter of each verse spells out the alphabet. I wanted to see if I could replicate the effect in English translation, but that proved very difficult to do. So instead, I approximated the effect of the acrostic by using alliteration within each verse—lots of initial A's in the first verse, lots of B's in the second, etc. I aimed to use enough alliteration to make the effect noticeable but not to the point of absurdity.

I have no idea if anyone listening to the psalm as it was being read actually noticed the alliteration—or even if the person reading it from the page noticed. But I thought it was fun. It introduced a playful element into the worship—or more precisely, it tried to preserve the playful element that's present in the Hebrew original.

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PSALM 34:1-8

At all times, I will acclaim the Lord.
Adoration will be always on my lips.

I will boast of the Lord’s blessings,
to buoy up those who have been brought low.

Come, let us combine our voices in praise,
for the name of the Lord is without compare!

In the day of distress, I appealed to the Lord,
who delivered me from all danger.

Lift your eyes to the Lord, and you will be enveloped in glory;
no enemy will ever shame you.

The prayers of the afflicted fly to the Lord,
who will not fail to free them from misfortune.

A garrison of angels encircles the God-fearing,
to safeguard them from all foes.

Taste and see how good is the Lord!
How happy are those who take the Lord to be their haven!