What does Psalm 34:2 mean?

A champion warrior, David had survived many battles. For example, 1 Samuel 18:5 states that "David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him [into battle]." In verses 6–7 we learn that when David was returning home from defeating the Philistines, the women came out of all the cities singing and dancing. They joyfully sang, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."

However, David remained humble. He did not boast about his past victories. Nor did he boast about his recent escape from the Philistines at Gath. Instead, he boasted in the Lord, and encouraged the humble to hear his praise of the Lord and rejoice. Perhaps David was addressing his men as "the humble." This is likely meant as a teaching, or an admonition, for his men to take on that characteristic. The apostle Paul wrote that God had chosen the low and despised so no human being might boast (1 Corinthians 1:26–31). He said, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).