Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 34:8
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
NIV · New International Version
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
WEB · World English Bible
Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
What does Psalms 34:8 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 34:8
O taste, and see that the Lord is good,.... He is essentially, infinitely, perfectly, immutably, and solely good in himself; and he is communicatively and diffusively good to others: he is the author of all good, but not of any evil, in a moral sense; this chiefly regards his special grace and goodness through Christ: all the divine Persons in the Godhead are good; the Father is good, he has good designs towards his people, has provided good things for them, made good promises to them, and bestows good gifts on them: the Son is good; the good Shepherd that has laid down his life for the sheep; he is the fountain of all grace and goodness to his churches, and to particular believers; he has…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 34:7–10
8. Taste and see that Jehovah is good. In this verse the Psalmist indirectly reproves men for their dulness in not perceiving the goodness of God, which ought to be to them more than matter of simple knowledge. By the word taste he at once shows that they are without taste; and at the same time he assigns the reason of this to be, that they devour the gifts of God without relishing them, or through a vitiated loathing ungratefully conceal them.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 34:5–11 (WEB)
5They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame. 6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9Oh fear the LORD, 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 the LORD shall not lack any good thing. 11Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Cross references
- Psalms 119:103
- Hebrews 6:4–5
For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
- 1 Peter 2:2–3
as newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that with it you may grow,
- Jeremiah 31:14
I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people will be satisfied with my goodness,” says the LORD.
- Psalms 63:5
- Psalms 84:12
- Psalms 36:7
- Zechariah 9:17
For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.