Psalm 34 · KJV
Psalm 34
Taste and See
Psalm 34 is David's testimony that God answers, delivers, and stays near the brokenhearted. Its invitation — "O taste and see that the LORD is good" — urges the reader to experience God's goodness, not just hear about it.
Psalm 34 (KJV)
1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
What Psalm 34 means
Written after David escaped a deadly situation, the psalm overflows with gratitude: "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." It promises that those who look to God are "lightened," and that the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him.
Its tenderest line is for the suffering: "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart." Alongside the confidence runs realism — "many are the afflictions of the righteous" — but with the promise that God delivers out of them all. It is a psalm for anyone learning to trust God through fear.
Key verses
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalm 34:8 · KJV — "O taste and see that the LORD is good."
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 · KJV — God near to the brokenhearted.
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A prayer from Psalm 34
Lord, I sought You and You heard me. Deliver me from my fears, draw near to my broken places, and help me taste and see that You are good. Amen.
Themes in this passage
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Frequently asked
What does Psalm 34 mean?
Psalm 34 is David's testimony that God answers, delivers, and stays near the brokenhearted. Its invitation — "O taste and see that the LORD is good" — urges the reader to experience God's goodness, not just hear about it.
What is Psalm 34 about?
Written after David escaped a deadly situation, the psalm overflows with gratitude: "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." It promises that those who look to God are "lightened," and that the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him.
What is the key verse in Psalm 34?
Psalm 34:8 — “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Is Psalm 34 in the King James Version?
Yes. The full text of Psalm 34 on this page is the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.