# Psalm 34 š: Taste and See
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[[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 33]] | [[Psalm 35]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
## By David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away.
[[#Verse 01.]]Ā I will praiseĀ theĀ LordĀ at all times;
my mouth will continually praise him.
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā I will boastĀ in theĀ Lord;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice.
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā Magnify theĀ LordĀ with me.
Let us praiseĀ his name together.
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā I sought theĀ Lordās helpĀ and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā Look to him and be radiant;
do not let your faces be ashamed.
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā This oppressed man cried out and theĀ LordĀ heard;
he saved himĀ from all his troubles.
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā The angel of theĀ LordĀ camps around
theĀ LordāsĀ loyal followersĀ and delivers them.
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā TasteĀ and see that theĀ LordĀ is good.
How blessedĀ is the oneĀ who takes shelter in him.
[[#Verse 09.]] Fear the Lord, you chosen people of his, for those who fear him lack nothing.
[[#Verse 09]]Ā Fear theĀ Lord, you chosen people of his,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,
but those who seek theĀ LordĀ lack no good thing.
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā Come children. Listen to me.
I will teach you what it means to fear theĀ Lord.
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā Do you want to really live?
Would you love to live a long, happy life?
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā Then make sure you donāt speak evil words
or use deceptive speech.
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā Turn away from evil and do what is right.
Strive for peace and promote it.
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ pays attention to the godly
and hears their cry for help.
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā But theĀ LordĀ opposes evildoers
and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā The godlyĀ cry out and theĀ LordĀ hears;
he saves them from all their troubles.
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ is near the brokenhearted;
he deliversĀ those who are discouraged.
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā The godlyĀ face many dangers,
but theĀ LordĀ savesĀ themĀ from each one of them.
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā He protectsĀ all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
[[#Verse 21.]]Ā Evil people self-destruct;
those who hate the godly are punished.
[[#Verse 22.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ rescues his servants;
all who take shelter in him escape punishment.
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
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###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. The superscription points to 1 Samuel 21:10-15, where David pretended to be insane before the king of Gath.
2. First Samuel names that king Achish, while the psalm says Abimelech. Abimelech was likely a royal title for Philistine kings, like Pharaoh in Egypt (Genesis 20; 26).
3. Psalm 34 is an acrostic, with each verse beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
4. Like Psalm 25, it skips one letter and adds an extra verse at the end.
5. Peter quotes 34:12-16 in 1 Peter 3:10-12.
6. 1 Peter 2:3 echoes 34:8 about tasting that the Lord is good.
7. John sees 34:20 fulfilled when Jesus' legs were not broken (John 19:36).
8. The "angel of the Lord" appears in the Psalms only here (34:7) and in Psalm 35:5-6.
9. Cyril of Jerusalem described the church in the fourth century singing "Taste and see" during the Lord's Supper.
10. The "fear of the Lord" (34:9, 11) is reverent awe that leads to trust and obedience, not terror.
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the Righteous One whose bones were not broken (34:20; John 19:36). Peter uses this psalm to invite believers to taste that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:3).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. David wrote this praise after a humiliating escape (1 Samuel 21:10-15). How can we praise God even in embarrassing seasons?
2. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (34:8). What does it mean to experience God's goodness and not just know about it?
3. The Lord is near the brokenhearted (34:18). How has God's nearness met you in pain, and how can you reflect it to others?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 4: I sought the Lord's help and He delivered me from all my fears.
- š verse 8: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
- š verse 18: The Lord is near the brokenhearted and delivers those discouraged in spirit.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[1 Peter 02#Verse 03.|1 Peter 2:3]] - You have tasted that the Lord is good.
- š [[1 Peter 03#Verse 10.|1 Peter 3:10-12]] - Peter quotes this psalm on living well.
- š [[John 19#Verse 36.|John 19:36]] - Not a bone of His will be broken.
- š [[1 Samuel 21#Verse 10.|1 Samuel 21:10-15]] - David pretends to be insane in Gath.
- š [[Psalm 25|Psalm 25]] - A matching acrostic psalm.
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[Psalm 34- SOAP|Godly Fear]]
## š Internal Notes