Taste and See
Psalm 34 summary: what it means
Psalm 34 is a thanksgiving from someone who was rescued. It starts with a promise to bless the LORD at all times and invites others to join in. The speaker tells his own story briefly: he sought the LORD, was answered, and was delivered from all his fears. From there the psalm widens to a general claim, that the LORD's angel camps around those who fear him, and it invites the reader to taste and see that the LORD is good.
In verse 11 the psalm becomes a lesson, addressed to children, on the fear of the LORD. It gives plain instructions: guard your tongue, turn from evil, seek peace. It then sets out what the LORD does. He hears the righteous, is near the broken hearted, and delivers them out of all their troubles, while evil kills the wicked.
Psalm 34: Taste and See
World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-34
Psalm 34 commentary: explained verse by verse
I will bless the LORD at all times.His praise will always be in my mouth.
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
The psalm opens with a vow of constant praise. The speaker will bless the LORD at all times and keep his praise always in his mouth. At all times includes hard times like the one the heading describes.
Also read Psalm 71:6, Isaiah 24:15-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 145:1-2
My soul shall boast in the LORD.The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
The speaker boasts, but in the LORD rather than in himself. He expects the humble to hear about it and be glad. His rescue is meant to encourage others.
Also read 1 Corinthians 1:31, Psalm 22:22-24, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Psalm 142:7
Oh magnify the LORD with me.Let’s exalt his name together.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Praise now becomes shared. The speaker invites others to magnify the LORD with him and exalt his name together. Verses 1 to 3 form an opening call to worship.
Also read Revelation 14:7, Psalm 35:27, Philippians 1:20, Psalm 40:16
I sought the LORD, and he answered me,and delivered me from all my fears.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
This is the speaker's own testimony in one line. He sought the LORD, the LORD answered, and he was delivered from all his fears. The rescue named is from fears, not only from danger.
Also read Matthew 7:7, Psalm 31:22, Psalm 56:3, 2 Corinthians 7:5-6
They looked to him, and were radiant.Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
Also read 2 Samuel 19:5, Isaiah 60:5, Isaiah 45:22, Hebrews 12:2
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him,and saved him out of all his troubles.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Also read Revelation 7:14-17, Psalm 66:16-20, 2 Samuel 22:1, Psalm 40:17
The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him,and delivers them.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The LORD's angel is pictured as camping around those who fear him, like an army around a city. The verse promises that he delivers them. The protection is described as close and constant.
Also read Psalm 91:11, Genesis 32:1-2, Daniel 6:22, Matthew 18:10
Oh taste and see that the LORD is good.Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
The invitation is to find out by experience: taste and see that the LORD is good. The verse then calls blessed the person who takes refuge in him. It asks for trying, not only believing.
Also read Song of Songs 5:1, Psalm 2:12, 1 John 4:7-10, Song of Songs 2:3
Oh fear the LORD, you his saints,for there is no lack with those who fear him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The saints are told to fear the LORD. The reason given is that there is no lack for those who fear him. Fear here goes with trust and provision, not with terror.
Also read Revelation 15:3-4, 1 Corinthians 3:22-23, Hosea 3:5, Genesis 22:12
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger,but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Young lions are strong hunters, yet the verse says they lack and go hungry. Those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing, which repeats the promise of verse 9. The KJV reads they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Also read Matthew 6:32, Job 4:10-11, Luke 1:51-53, Psalm 84:11
Come, you children, listen to me.I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
The tone changes from praise to teaching. The speaker calls children to listen and promises to teach them the fear of the LORD. The rest of the psalm reads like a lesson.
Also read Proverbs 1:7, Ecclesiastes 11:9-1, Proverbs 2:1-9, Matthew 18:2-4
Who is someone who desires life,and loves many days, that he may see good?
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
The psalm turns to teaching with a question: who wants life and loves many days, in order to see good? Verse 11 promised to teach the fear of the LORD, and verses 13 and 14 give the answer to this question.
Also read Job 7:7, Ecclesiastes 3:13, Deuteronomy 6:2, Ecclesiastes 2:3
Keep your tongue from evil,and your lips from speaking lies.
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
The first instruction is about speech. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. The psalm treats honest words as part of fearing the LORD.
Also read Proverbs 21:23, 1 Peter 2:22, Matthew 12:35-37, Proverbs 19:9
Depart from evil, and do good.Seek peace, and pursue it.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Four short commands make up this verse. Turning from evil is paired with doing good, and seeking peace is paired with pursuing it, so peace is something to chase, not only to wish for. The KJV reads Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Also read Galatians 6:10, Psalm 37:27, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Romans 14:17
The LORD’s eyes are toward the righteous.His ears listen to their cry.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The LORD's eyes are toward the righteous and his ears listen to their cry. The verse pictures God as watching and listening. It sets up the contrast in verse 16.
Also read 2 Chronicles 6:40, Daniel 9:17-23, Psalm 34:6, Psalm 33:18
The LORD’s face is against those who do evil,to cut off their memory from the earth.
The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The LORD's face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth. This is the other side of the attention described in verse 15. The same face that watches over the righteous is set against evildoers.
Also read Amos 9:4, Leviticus 17:10, Leviticus 26:17, Jeremiah 44:11
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears,and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
When the righteous cry, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. It restates the speaker's own story from verse 6 as something true for others. Hearing and delivering come together.
Also read Psalm 145:18-20, 2 Chronicles 32:24, Isaiah 65:24, Psalm 34:19
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
The LORD is near to those with a broken heart and saves those with a crushed spirit. The verse does not tell them to stop grieving. It says God comes close to them in that state.
Also read Psalm 147:3, Psalm 85:9, 2 Kings 22:19, Ezekiel 36:31
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
The verse admits that the righteous have many afflictions. It does not promise they will avoid trouble, but that the LORD delivers them out of it all. Both halves are meant to be held together.
Also read Revelation 7:14-17, John 16:33, Hebrews 11:33-38, Proverbs 24:16
He protects all of his bones.Not one of them is broken.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
He protects all of his bones, and not one of them is broken. The image carries the promise of verse 19 down to the body. It pictures complete protection.
Also read Psalm 91:12, Daniel 6:22-24, John 19:36, Psalm 35:10
Evil shall kill the wicked.Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
Evil itself kills the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The verse says wrongdoing turns back on the one who does it. It is the counterpart to the promises for the righteous.
Also read Luke 19:14, Exodus 20:7, 1 Kings 22:37, Psalm 40:15
The LORD redeems the soul of his servants.None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
The psalm ends with redemption. The LORD redeems the soul of his servants, and none who take refuge in him will be condemned. The last word echoes verse 21, but with the outcome reversed.
Also read Psalm 31:5, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Psalm 130:8, 2 Samuel 4:9
A prayer from Psalm 34
LORD, I will bless you at all times, and your praise will be in my mouth. I sought you, and you answered me and delivered me from my fears. When I cry out like the poor man in this psalm, hear me and save me. Let me taste and see that you are good, and take refuge in you. Teach me to keep my tongue from evil and my lips from lies. Help me turn from evil and do good, and seek peace and pursue it. You are near to those who have a broken heart, and you save those whose spirit is crushed. Stay near to me in my troubles. Amen.
Psalm 34 Bible study questions
- In verse 4, what did the speaker do, and what does he say the LORD did in response?
- In verses 12 to 14, what does the psalm tell a person who wants life and good days to do?
- Verse 8 invites the reader to taste and see that the LORD is good; what do you think it means to know something by tasting it?
- Verse 18 says the LORD is near the broken hearted, and verse 19 says the righteous have many afflictions; how do you hold those two lines together?
- Psalm 145:18 also says the LORD is near to those who call on him; how does it compare with Psalm 34:18?
Questions about Psalm 34
What does Psalm 34:8 mean?
It invites the reader to taste and see that the LORD is good, to find out by experience rather than by hearsay. It then calls blessed the person who takes refuge in him.
What does Psalm 34:18 mean?
It says the LORD is near to those who have a broken heart and saves those who have a crushed spirit. It promises God's closeness in grief rather than an end to it.
What does Psalm 34:19 mean?
It admits that the righteous face many afflictions, and promises that the LORD delivers them out of them all. It does not say the righteous avoid trouble.
Who wrote Psalm 34?
The heading attributes it to David and places it when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away. The psalm itself does not tell that story.
What does Psalm 34:18 say in the KJV?
The King James Version reads: "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
What does Psalm 34:19 say in the KJV?
The King James Version reads: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Psalm 34 KJV: the King James Version
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.1
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.2
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.3
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.4
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.5
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.6
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.7
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.8
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.9
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.10
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.11
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?12
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.13
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.14
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.15
The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.16
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.17
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.18
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.19
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.20
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.21
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.22
Psalm 34 in Hebrew
The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.
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1 לְדָוִ֗ד בְּשַׁנּוֹת֣וֹ אֶת־טַ֭עְמוֹ לִפְנֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַֽ֝יְגָרֲשֵׁ֗הוּ וַיֵּלַֽךְ׃
2 אֲבָרֲכָ֣ה אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּכָל־עֵ֑ת תָּ֝מִ֗יד תְּֽהִלָּת֥וֹ בְּפִֽי׃
3 בַּ֭יהוָה תִּתְהַלֵּ֣ל נַפְשִׁ֑י יִשְׁמְע֖וּ עֲנָוִ֣ים וְיִשְׂמָֽחוּ׃
4 גַּדְּל֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה אִתִּ֑י וּנְרוֹמְמָ֖ה שְׁמ֣וֹ יַחְדָּֽו׃
5 דָּרַ֣שְׁתִּי אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה וְעָנָ֑נִי וּמִכָּל־מְ֝גוּרוֹתַ֗י הִצִּילָֽנִי׃
6 הִבִּ֣יטוּ אֵלָ֣יו וְנָהָ֑רוּ וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם אַל־יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃
7 זֶ֤ה עָנִ֣י קָ֭רָא וַיהוָ֣ה שָׁמֵ֑עַ וּמִכָּל־צָ֝רוֹתָ֗יו הוֹשִׁיעֽוֹ׃
8 חֹנֶ֤ה מַלְאַךְ־יְהוָ֓ה סָ֘בִ֤יב לִֽירֵאָ֗יו וַֽיְחַלְּצֵֽם׃
9 טַעֲמ֣וּ וּ֭רְאוּ כִּי־ט֣וֹב יְהוָ֑ה אַֽשְׁרֵ֥י הַ֝גֶּ֗בֶר יֶחֱסֶה־בּֽוֹ׃
10 יְר֣אוּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה קְדֹשָׁ֑יו כִּי־אֵ֥ין מַ֝חְס֗וֹר לִירֵאָֽיו׃
11 כְּ֭פִירִים רָשׁ֣וּ וְרָעֵ֑בוּ וְדֹרְשֵׁ֥י יְ֝הוָ֗ה לֹא־יַחְסְר֥וּ כָל־טֽוֹב׃
12 לְֽכוּ־בָ֭נִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִ֑י יִֽרְאַ֥ת יְ֝הוָ֗ה אֲלַמֶּדְכֶֽם׃
13 מִֽי־הָ֭אִישׁ הֶחָפֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים אֹהֵ֥ב יָ֝מִ֗ים לִרְא֥וֹת טֽוֹב׃
14 נְצֹ֣ר לְשׁוֹנְךָ֣ מֵרָ֑ע וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ מִדַּבֵּ֥ר מִרְמָֽה׃
15 ס֣וּר מֵ֭רָע וַעֲשֵׂה־ט֑וֹב בַּקֵּ֖שׁ שָׁל֣וֹם וְרָדְפֵֽהוּ׃
16 עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה אֶל־צַדִּיקִ֑ים וְ֝אָזְנָ֗יו אֶל־שַׁוְעָתָֽם׃
17 פְּנֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה בְּעֹ֣שֵׂי רָ֑ע לְהַכְרִ֖ית מֵאֶ֣רֶץ זִכְרָֽם׃
18 צָעֲק֣וּ וַיהוָ֣ה שָׁמֵ֑עַ וּמִכָּל־צָ֝רוֹתָ֗ם הִצִּילָֽם׃
19 קָר֣וֹב יְ֭הוָה לְנִשְׁבְּרֵי־לֵ֑ב וְֽאֶת־דַּכְּאֵי־ר֥וּחַ יוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃
20 רַ֭בּוֹת רָע֣וֹת צַדִּ֑יק וּ֝מִכֻּלָּ֗ם יַצִּילֶ֥נּוּ יְהוָֽה׃
21 שֹׁמֵ֥ר כָּל־עַצְמוֹתָ֑יו אַחַ֥ת מֵ֝הֵ֗נָּה לֹ֣א נִשְׁבָּֽרָה׃
22 תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת רָשָׁ֣ע רָעָ֑ה וְשֹׂנְאֵ֖י צַדִּ֣יק יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃
23 פּוֹדֶ֣ה יְ֭הוָה נֶ֣פֶשׁ עֲבָדָ֑יו וְלֹ֥א יֶ֝אְשְׁמ֗וּ כָּֽל־הַחֹסִ֥ים בּֽוֹ׃
Psalm 34 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible
The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 33 there.
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1 For David, when he changed his countenance before Achimelech, who dismissed him, and he went his way. 1 Kings 21
2 I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth.
3 In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice.
4 O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together.
5 I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles.
6 Come ye to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded.
7 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.
8 The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.
9 O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him.
10 Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
11 The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.
12 Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13 Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth to see good days?
14 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
15 Turn away from evil and do good: seek after peace and pursue it.
16 The eyes of the Lord are upon the just: and his ears unto their prayers.
17 But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
18 The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles.
19 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.
20 Many are the afflictions of the just; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.
21 The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken.
22 The death of the wicked is very evil: and they that hate the just shall be guilty.
23 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall offend.
Psalm 34 in Latin
The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 33.
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1 Davidi, cum immutavit vultum suum coram Achimelech, et dimisit eum, et abiit.
2 Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore; semper laus ejus in ore meo.
3 In Domino laudabitur anima mea: audiant mansueti, et lætentur.
4 Magnificate Dominum mecum, et exaltemus nomen ejus in idipsum.
5 Exquisivi Dominum, et exaudivit me; et ex omnibus tribulationibus meis eripuit me.
6 Accedite ad eum, et illuminamini; et facies vestræ non confundentur.
7 Iste pauper clamavit, et Dominus exaudivit eum, et de omnibus tribulationibus ejus salvavit eum.
8 Immittet angelus Domini in circuitu timentium eum, et eripiet eos.
9 Gustate et videte quoniam suavis est Dominus; beatus vir qui sperat in eo.
10 Timete Dominum, omnes sancti ejus, quoniam non est inopia timentibus eum.
11 Divites eguerunt, et esurierunt; inquirentes autem Dominum non minuentur omni bono.
12 Venite, filii; audite me: timorem Domini docebo vos.
13 Quis est homo qui vult vitam; diligit dies videre bonos?
14 Prohibe linguam tuam a malo, et labia tua ne loquantur dolum.
15 Diverte a malo, et fac bonum; inquire pacem, et persequere eam.
16 Oculi Domini super justos, et aures ejus in preces eorum.
17 Vultus autem Domini super facientes mala, ut perdat de terra memoriam eorum.
18 Clamaverunt justi, et Dominus exaudivit eos; et ex omnibus tribulationibus eorum liberavit eos.
19 Juxta est Dominus iis qui tribulato sunt corde, et humiles spiritu salvabit.
20 Multæ tribulationes justorum; et de omnibus his liberabit eos Dominus.
21 Custodit Dominus omnia ossa eorum: unum ex his non conteretur.
22 Mors peccatorum pessima; et qui oderunt justum delinquent.
23 Redimet Dominus animas servorum suorum, et non delinquent omnes qui sperant in eo.
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Psalm 34 at a glance
| Verses | 22 |
| Heading in the text | By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. |
| Attributed to | The heading attributes it to David and places it when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away. |
| Type | Thanksgiving and Wisdom |
| Number in Greek and Latin Bibles | Psalm 33 |
Read Psalm 34 when you are facing
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Psalm 34 in other translations
This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 34 in those translations at Bible Gateway.
Where Psalm 34 belongs
Psalms of DavidBook 1 of the Psalms
How this page was made
The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.
Sources
- Text: World English Bible and King James Version, both public domain, from ebible.org source
- Hebrew text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Douay-Rheims: Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Latin text: Clementine Vulgate, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Numbering: Greek and Latin psalm numbering, Wikipedia, Psalms source