Psalm Chapter 34 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
More Psalms Chapter 34 (Old Testament Cont'd)
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalms Chapter 34 (Old Testament Cont'd)
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 34:8
Verse: טַעֲמוּ וּרְאוּ כִּי-טוֹב יְהוָה
Transliteration: Ta’amu u-re’u ki-tov Adonai
English: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
Focus Word: טוֹב (Tov)
- Root: ט-ו-ב (Tet-Vav-Bet)
- Meaning: “Good,” “pleasant,” “beneficial.”
- Deeper Insight: Tov conveys wholeness, well-being, and moral goodness, reflecting both God’s nature and His blessings.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 34 |
|---|---|---|
| John Calvin (University of Paris / Orléans, 1509–1564) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Calvin interprets Psalm 34 as celebrating God’s deliverance and encouraging continual praise for His mercy. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Henry notes that the Psalm emphasizes blessing those who trust God and seek His help in trouble. |
| Richard Sibbes (Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1577–1635) | The Bruised Reed | Sibbes highlights the Psalm’s encouragement to fear the Lord and enjoy the protection and comfort He provides. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen stresses that God’s deliverance of the righteous from adversity leads to sincere worship and obedience. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Manton sees the Psalm as teaching gratitude for deliverance and reliance on God in all circumstances. |
