Psalm 34 — Oh Taste and See That Yahweh Is Good
An acrostic psalm of thanksgiving, headed in its traditional superscription as written after David feigned madness before Abimelech to escape danger (1 Samuel 21:10-15) — though the psalm itself never mentions that story directly, focusing instead on general testimony: "I sought Yahweh, and he answered me" (v. 4). Its most quoted line, "taste and see that Yahweh is good" (v. 8), invites a kind of firsthand, experiential confirmation rather than asking for belief on report alone.
- Verse 20's "he protects all of his bones; not one of them is broken" is quoted in John 19:36 and applied to Jesus's body not being broken during crucifixion (unlike the two men crucified beside him, John 19:32-33) — an unusual detail from a thanksgiving psalm read as prophetic.
- Verses 12-16 are quoted at length in 1 Peter 3:10-12 as instruction on how to live well and avoid trouble — turning the tongue from evil, seeking peace — applied directly to New Testament readers.
- The acrostic structure (compare Psalm 25) reinforces the psalm's practical, almost proverbial tone — verses 11-14 read like wisdom instruction ("come, you children, listen to me") rather than personal lament or praise addressed to God.
Psalms 34 (WEB)
1I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.
2My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
3Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let us exalt his name together.
4I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
6This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.
10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.
11Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
12Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
13Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
14Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it.
15Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.
16Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.
17The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
20He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
21Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.