Berean Study Bible Taste and See That the LORD Is GoodPsalm 34 grew out of David’s escape from Gath while fleeing Saul. First Samuel 21:10–15 identifies the Philistine king as Achish; Abimelech was likely a royal title, as Pharaoh was in Egypt. David had entered Gath carrying Goliath’s sword and was recognized by Achish’s servants as Israel’s celebrated warrior. Fearing for his life, he acted insane until Achish expelled him. God preserved David even in a dangerous situation marked by fear and weakness. The psalm looks back on that deliverance and turns a season of danger into public testimony of God’s faithfulness. 1Sa 21:13-15 So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness… I will bless the LORD at all times; David resolved to honor the LORD not only after deliverance but through every changing condition of life. Praise did not depend on safety, comfort, or outward success. Such worship rests on the character of God, who remains worthy when His servants face threats, uncertainty, and distress. David’s determination anticipates the New Testament call to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Psa 145:2 Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name… His praise will always be on my lips. David’s worship was meant to be spoken openly and continually. The lips reveal the settled devotion of the heart, especially when God has answered cries for help. Believers offer God the continuing sacrifice of praise through grateful confession of His name (Hebrews 13:15). David’s deliverance became a reason to speak of the LORD’s goodness so that others might learn to trust Him. Psa 63:3-4 Because Your loving devotion is better than life,… My soul boasts in the LORD; David locates his confidence, honor, and deliverance in the LORD rather than in his own strength or royal position. Having escaped danger among the Philistines, David bears witness that God alone preserves His servants. Such glorying directs attention away from human achievement and toward the covenant faithfulness of God. Paul later applies the same truth to salvation: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). 1Co 1:31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts… let the oppressed hear and rejoice. Those humbled by suffering, poverty, fear, or injustice are invited to hear David’s testimony and take courage. The LORD’s help for David assures the afflicted that He sees their distress and remains near to those who depend on Him. Joy arises not from the removal of every hardship at once, but from confidence that God hears, delivers, and will vindicate His people. Psa 69:32 The humble will see and rejoice. You who seek God… Magnify the LORD with me; David calls others to join him in declaring the greatness of the covenant God who delivered him from fear and danger. The LORD does not become greater through human praise; rather, worship rightly displays His greatness before those who gather in His name. Israel’s public worship at the tabernacle, temple, and appointed feasts testified that God’s saving acts belonged before the whole congregation. Thanksgiving and praise magnify Him by recalling His works and acknowledging His sovereign rule (Psalm 69:30). Psa 69:30 I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him… let us exalt His name together. God’s name reveals His holy character, faithful promises, righteous judgments, and merciful redemption. United praise recognizes that His glory is not a private possession but the shared confession of His people. David’s invitation anticipates the worship of all who know the Lord’s deliverance, culminating in the universal exaltation of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:9–11). Psa 113:1-3 Hallelujah! Give praise, O servants of the LORD… I sought the LORD, David turned deliberately to the covenant God in the midst of danger. The psalm’s heading connects the occasion with his escape from the Philistine king at Gath, recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10–15, when David fled from Saul and found himself vulnerable among Israel’s enemies. Seeking the LORD involved prayer, trust, worship, and submission to God’s will rather than reliance on human strength. Jeremiah 29:13 likewise promises that those who seek God with their whole heart will find Him. 2Ch 15:2 So he went out to meet Asa and said to him,… and He answered me; The LORD was not distant from David’s distress. God heard his cry and acted according to His wisdom and faithfulness. David’s experience demonstrates the personal reality of prayer: the Lord receives the petitions of His people and responds to them. Jesus reaffirmed this confidence when He taught, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7). Psa 3:4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me… He delivered me from all my fears. God rescued David not only from external threats but also from the dread those threats produced. Fear had surrounded David as Saul pursued him, enemies opposed him, and his future appeared uncertain; yet the LORD brought him into safety and peace. God’s deliverance points beyond temporal rescue to the salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ, who frees His people from slavery to sin and the fear of death. God gives His children “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Psa 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid.… Those who look to Him David calls the afflicted to turn from fear and self-reliance to the Lord who hears and delivers. Looking to God involves trustful dependence upon His mercy, guidance, and saving power, as Isaiah summons all nations to turn to the Lord and be saved (Isaiah 45:22). Psa 123:2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master… are radiant with joy; God’s presence replaces the darkness of fear with the settled joy of those who know His favor. Moses’ face shone after meeting with the Lord on Sinai (Exodus 34:29–35), and believers increasingly reflect God’s glory as they behold Him in faith (2 Corinthians 3:18). Psa 4:6-7 Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light… their faces shall never be ashamed. The Lord does not abandon those who place their confidence in Him. Though believers may endure rejection and suffering in the world, God will finally vindicate them through Christ, who bore shame at the cross and secures an unashamed standing before God (Romans 10:11; Hebrews 12:2). Psa 25:2-3 In You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame;… This poor man called out, David speaks of himself as one brought low before God, despite his anointing as Israel’s future king. Psalm 34 is linked to his escape from Achish, king of Gath, after he feigned insanity and was driven away (1 Samuel 21:10–15). In danger among the Philistines and pursued by Saul, David learned that earthly status offers no refuge apart from the Lord. His cry models humble dependence for all who are afflicted and unable to save themselves. Psa 72:12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out… and the LORD heard him; The Lord did not disregard David’s desperate prayer. God’s hearing reveals His personal faithfulness to those who seek Him in truth. David’s rescue was not the result of cleverness, strength, or favorable circumstances, but of the Lord’s attentive mercy. Believers may call upon the same God with confidence, knowing that He receives the prayers of His people according to His wisdom and will. Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried… He saved him from all his troubles. The Lord preserved David through repeated dangers, including Saul’s pursuit, conflict with enemies, and exile from his own land. God’s deliverance did not mean that David never faced distress, but that no trouble could finally overcome him or frustrate God’s purpose for his life. David’s rescues anticipate the greater salvation God provides through Christ, who delivers His people from the condemnation and power of sin and will ultimately bring them safely into His eternal kingdom. Psa 107:6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,… The angel of the LORD This phrase often refers to a divine messenger who represents God Himself. In the Old Testament, the “angel of the LORD” is sometimes seen as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God. This figure appears in various significant moments, such as with Hagar in Genesis 16:7-13, Moses in Exodus 3:2, and Gideon in Judges 6:11-24. The presence of the angel of the LORD often signifies divine intervention and protection. Gen 16:7-13 Now the angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water… encamps around The imagery of encamping suggests a military or protective stance, indicating a readiness to defend. In ancient times, armies would encamp around a city or a person to provide security. This phrase implies a continuous and vigilant protection, much like a shepherd watching over his flock. It evokes the idea of God’s constant presence and safeguarding of His people. Psa 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds… those who fear Him, “Fear” in this context refers to a reverential awe and respect for God, acknowledging His power and authority. This fear is not about being afraid but about honoring God and living in obedience to His will. Proverbs 9:10 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” highlighting the importance of this attitude in a believer’s life. Those who fear God are promised His protection and guidance. Psa 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear Him,… and he delivers them. Deliverance is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with God saving His people from danger or oppression. This deliverance can be physical, as seen in the Exodus story, or spiritual, as in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The promise of deliverance is a reassurance of God’s faithfulness and His ability to rescue His people from any peril. This phrase connects to the broader biblical narrative of redemption and salvation, culminating in the work of Christ. Dan 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach,… Taste and see that the LORD is good; David calls God’s people to know the Lord through trusting fellowship rather than distant observation. God’s goodness is displayed in His mercy, faithfulness, protection, and provision, as David had repeatedly experienced amid danger and deliverance. The imagery of tasting portrays a real encounter with God’s grace, like receiving nourishing food. God’s Word is likewise sweeter than honey to those who receive it in faith (Psalm 119:103). The Lord revealed His goodness to Moses as compassionate, gracious, patient, forgiving, and just (Exodus 34:6–7). 1Pe 2:3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! True well-being belongs to the person who entrusts himself to the Lord. David knew the insecurity of life pursued by enemies, yet he found safety not merely in caves, armies, or fortified cities, but in God Himself. The Lord becomes a secure refuge for those who depend on Him, preserving them according to His wise purpose and sustaining them through trouble. Jesus fulfills this care as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep and keeps them in His saving protection (John 10:11). Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish… Fear the LORD, David calls God’s people to revere Him as the holy King, Judge, and Deliverer. Such fear joins humble awe with obedient trust and forms the beginning of wisdom. Deu 6:13 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths… you His saints, Those set apart as the LORD’s own people bear the privilege and responsibility of living under His covenant rule. Through Christ, all believers are likewise called to honor God in holiness and faith. Psa 30:4 Sing to the LORD, O you His saints, and… for those who fear Him lack nothing. God faithfully provides all that His people truly need for life and godliness, even when hardship remains. David’s assurance accords with the Shepherd’s care in Psalm 23 and Christ’s promise that the Father knows the needs of those who seek His kingdom first. Pro 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest… Young lions go lacking and hungry, Even the strongest predators, equipped with natural power and skill, may fail to find food. Human strength, wealth, influence, and planning likewise cannot secure life’s deepest needs. David contrasts the uncertainty of created strength with the dependable care of the Creator. Job 38:39-40 Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger… but those who seek the LORD Those who fear the LORD, trust His promises, obey His word, and turn to Him in prayer live under His faithful care. Seeking God involves more than asking for help in trouble; it is the settled pursuit of His presence and will. 1Ch 16:11 Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. lack no good thing. God does not promise every desire or a life without hardship, but He withholds nothing truly good for His children. His provision includes daily needs, wisdom, protection, discipline, and grace sufficient for every trial. Those who seek first God’s kingdom may rest in the knowledge that their Father knows what they need. Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and a shield;… Come, children, listen to me; David gathers those willing to learn as a father gathers his household. “Children” includes all who receive godly instruction, whether young or old. Israel preserved truth through hearing, memorizing, and obeying God’s word, and the summons calls for more than attention; it requires a responsive heart. Wisdom likewise calls people away from self-reliance and toward the path of life (Proverbs 1:20–23). Pro 8:32-33 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those… I will teach you David speaks as one who has known the Lord’s deliverance amid danger, opposition, and personal failure. His instruction arises from experience governed by God’s revealed truth. Parents, elders, priests, and teachers bore responsibility for training God’s people in His commands, especially within the home (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). Jesus fulfilled the role of the perfect Teacher, calling disciples to hear His words and obey them. Psa 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;… the fear of the LORD. Reverent fear recognizes the Lord’s holiness, authority, mercy, and righteous judgment. It is not servile terror but humble submission to God that produces obedience, turns a person from evil, and begins true wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). David will show that fearing the Lord is displayed in guarded speech, righteous conduct, the pursuit of peace, and trust in God’s care. Deu 31:12-13 Assemble the people—men, women, children… Who is the man who delights in life, David calls his hearers to consider the source of a life worth living. Written after the Lord delivered him from danger among the Philistines, the psalm bears witness that security and joy rest in fearing the Lord rather than in human strength or favorable circumstances. Life is received as God’s gift and finds its proper fullness in fellowship with Him. Pro 3:13-18 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man… who desires to see good days? Good days include the Lord’s provision, peace, righteous relationships, and deliverance from evil. David’s question prepares for the instruction that follows: guarding one’s speech, turning from evil, doing good, and pursuing peace. Peter applies these words to believers living amid opposition, showing that godly conduct remains essential even when faithfulness brings suffering (1 Peter 3:10–12). The final good promised to God’s people reaches beyond present circumstances to the lasting life secured through Christ. 1Pe 3:10-11 Whoever would love life and see good days… Keep your tongue from evil The fear of the LORD produces a disciplined life in which speech is brought under God’s rule. David connects righteous words with the pursuit of peace and the experience of God’s attentive care. The tongue can wound, divide, slander, and incite sin, but it can also confess the Lord, strengthen the weak, and speak wisdom. James warns that the tongue, though small, can spread destructive evil like a fire (James 3:5–6). Guarding one’s speech reveals a heart being shaped by reverence for God. 1Pe 3:10 Whoever would love life and see good days… and your lips from deceitful speech. Truthfulness preserves justice, trust, and fellowship among God’s people. Deceit violates the command against false witness and reflects the corrupt ways from which the LORD delivers His servants (Exodus 20:16). David’s instruction calls for more than avoiding open lies; it excludes manipulation, flattering deception, and words intended to mislead. Peter applies Psalm 34:13–16 to believers living faithfully amid suffering, showing that truthful speech remains central to holy conduct (1 Peter 3:10–12). Christ Himself was without deceit, and His people are called to speak truth in love as those who belong to Him. Psa 120:2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips… Turn away from evil Repentance calls for a deliberate rejection of sin in conduct, desires, and loyalties. David’s instruction accords with the prophetic summons to cease doing evil and learn to do good (Isaiah 1:16–17). God does not merely restrain outward wrongdoing; He desires a heart renewed in righteousness. Pro 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD… and do good; Holiness includes active obedience. Love for God bears fruit in justice, mercy, truthfulness, generosity, and care for one’s neighbor. Jesus taught that love for God and love for others fulfill the moral purpose of the Law (Matthew 22:37–40). Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good… seek peace God’s people are to pursue reconciliation, well-being, and faithful relationships. Biblical peace includes more than the absence of hostility; it reflects the wholeness God intends for individuals and communities. Christ, the Prince of Peace, brings reconciliation with God and establishes the pattern for reconciliation with others. Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness,… and pursue it. Peace often requires perseverance, humility, forgiveness, and restraint. Peter applies David’s words to believers facing hostility, calling them to overcome evil with righteous conduct (1 Peter 3:10–11). Those redeemed by Christ are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation and are to live as peacemakers in a divided world. 2Ti 2:22 Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness… The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, God watches over those who fear Him and order their lives by His word. His knowledge is neither distant nor merely general; He sees their affliction, faithfulness, and need. David’s own deliverance from danger testified that the Lord remains near to His people amid opposition and distress. The Lord’s care anticipates Christ, the Good Shepherd, who knows His sheep and preserves them in His Father’s hand. 1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous… and His ears are inclined to their cry. God receives the prayers of His people with covenant faithfulness. The cries of the righteous are not ignored, even when deliverance is delayed or suffering continues. Through Jesus Christ, the believer has continuing access to the Father, for He intercedes as the great High Priest. Psa 40:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently… But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, God does not overlook wickedness or remain neutral toward it. His holy presence stands in judgment against those who persist in rebellion, violence, deceit, and injustice. Under Israel’s covenant, disobedience brought God’s discipline and curse, while reverent obedience brought His favor and protection (Leviticus 26:17). Peter applies the same truth to believers, joining God’s watchful care over the righteous with His opposition to evildoers (1 Peter 3:12). God’s justice calls His people to turn from sin and seek the righteous path He approves. 1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous… to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. The removal of memory portrays decisive divine judgment upon the wicked. In the ancient world, a continuing name, family line, and remembrance among future generations were regarded as enduring honor; to lose them was a profound disgrace. God warned Israel that persistent rebellion could bring such judgment (Deuteronomy 9:14). The wicked may leave a temporary mark on the world, but their name ultimately perishes, while the memory of the righteous is blessed (Proverbs 10:7). The judgment anticipated here points beyond earthly consequences to the final defeat of evil, when God will establish His righteous kingdom without sin or rebellion. Psa 109:15 May their sins always remain before the LORD,… The righteous cry out, Those who belong to the LORD bring their distress to Him rather than relying on themselves or turning to false help. David wrote Psalm 34 after the LORD preserved him from danger among the Philistines, showing that faith does not spare God’s people from hardship but directs them to the One who is able to save. Psa 145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;… and the LORD hears; The covenant God of Israel is attentive to the prayers of His people. He heard Israel’s groaning in Egypt, heard David in his many afflictions, and remains near to those who seek Him in truth. Peter applies this assurance to believers, declaring that the Lord’s eyes are upon the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers. 1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous… He delivers them from all their troubles. God’s deliverance may come through rescue from immediate danger, strength to endure suffering, or final salvation from sin and death through Jesus Christ. The surrounding psalm recognizes that the righteous have many afflictions, yet none can separate them from the LORD’s care or overturn His purpose to redeem them. Psa 91:15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him;… The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; God does not withdraw from His people in grief. He draws near to those crushed by loss, suffering, betrayal, or the consequences of sin, meeting them with His presence and sustaining grace. Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1), fulfilled in Christ, who received the sorrowful, healed the wounded, and bore human grief in His own suffering. The Lord remains a refuge in trouble, not merely removing distress but strengthening His people within it (Psalm 46:1). Psa 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He saves the contrite in spirit. God rescues those who abandon self-reliance and come before Him in humble repentance and faith. David knew that God does not despise a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17), even after grievous sin. The Holy One dwells with the contrite and lowly, reviving those humbled before Him (Isaiah 57:15). Such humility recognizes the need for mercy, and Christ grants that mercy to all who come to Him. Psa 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;… Many are the afflictions of the righteous, David knew repeated danger through Saul’s pursuit, exile, warfare, and betrayal. Job, the prophets, and faithful believers throughout Scripture also suffered while walking with God. Righteousness does not exempt anyone from trouble, because a fallen world resists God’s rule and those who belong to Him. Jesus warned His disciples that the world’s hatred of Him would extend to them (John 15:18–20). Afflictions may involve persecution, loss, illness, opposition, temptation, and inward grief, yet they do not prove that God has abandoned His people. 2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives… but the LORD delivers him from them all. The Lord’s deliverance is certain, though it does not always mean immediate removal from suffering. He preserved David from Saul, rescued Daniel from the lions, sustained Job through devastating loss, and brought Israel out of Egypt. God also gives strength and endurance within trials, using suffering to refine faith and display His faithfulness. Final deliverance rests in Jesus Christ, the perfectly righteous sufferer, whom God raised from the dead. Through Him, believers are delivered from sin, death, and every ultimate evil, and will be brought safely into God’s eternal kingdom. 2Pe 2:9 if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue… He protects all his bones; God’s care extends to the whole person, preserving the righteous through affliction and danger. David does not deny suffering; the surrounding psalm acknowledges many troubles, yet declares that the Lord delivers His servants from them. The protection of the bones portrays God’s sustaining power over life, strength, and security. Psa 91:10-11 no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.… not one of them will be broken. John identifies Jesus’ unbroken bones at the crucifixion as the fulfillment of Psalm 34:20 (John 19:36). Though Roman soldiers broke the legs of the men crucified beside Him to hasten death, Jesus had already died and was not subjected to that act. His death also fulfilled the Passover requirement that none of the lamb’s bones be broken (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12), revealing Him as the perfect sacrificial Lamb whose offering was complete. Jhn 19:36 Now these things happened so that the Scripture… Evil will slay the wicked, God’s moral order ensures that rebellion eventually turns upon those who embrace it. Sin promises freedom but produces ruin, as seen in Haman’s execution on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:10). The wicked may appear secure for a time, yet evil carries the seed of death, fulfilling the truth that sin’s wages are death (Romans 6:23). Pro 13:6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity… and the haters of the righteous Those who oppose God’s people ultimately set themselves against the God who defends them. David knew such hatred through Saul and other enemies, while prophets such as Elijah and Jeremiah suffered because they faithfully spoke God’s word. Jesus likewise warned that the world would hate His disciples because they belong to Him (John 15:18–19). Pro 29:10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care… will be condemned. God will render a righteous judgment against those who persist in hostility toward Him and His people. The Lord vindicates the faithful and holds oppressors accountable, both in history and at the final judgment. No injustice escapes His notice, and no enemy of righteousness will finally prevail. Mat 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted,… The LORD redeems His servants, The LORD delivers those who belong to Him from guilt, distress, and the power of their enemies. He redeemed Israel from Egypt with mighty acts and brought them into covenant fellowship with Himself (Exodus 6:6). Boaz’s redemption of Naomi’s family inheritance and his marriage to Ruth also display God’s faithful provision for the vulnerable (Ruth 4:9–10). God’s servants are not self-reliant people but those who live under His authority in faith and obedience. Jesus Christ brings redemption to its fullest fulfillment by purchasing sinners through His blood and making them servants of righteousness (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:22). Isa 48:20 Leave Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare it… and none who take refuge in Him God Himself is the safe dwelling place of His people amid danger, accusation, and sorrow. The cities of refuge in Israel provided protection for one awaiting judgment, illustrating the value God places on shelter from destruction (Numbers 35:9–15). Throughout the Psalms, the LORD is called a rock, fortress, shield, and stronghold because His protection is personal and sure (Psalm 18:2). Christ receives all who come to Him in faith, giving rest and security to those burdened by sin (Matthew 11:28–30). Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish… will be condemned. God does not abandon those who trust in Him to the judgment their sins deserve. The final assurance rests in the saving work of Christ, who bore the penalty of sin for His people and secured their acceptance before God. Romans 8:1 declares that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Redemption produces both freedom from judgment and a life of faithful service to the Redeemer. Psa 37:33 The LORD will not leave them in their power.… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com. Bible Hub |
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