Psalm Category: Song of Thanksgiving

Central Thought: Psalm 34 defines the essence and effects of biblical worship.

Key Word: Taam (v. 8). Taam is translated here as “taste.” It could also be translated as “eat” or “perceive.” By this word, David is calling us to discover the goodness of God by experiencing Him in an intimate way. Puritan Richard Alleine (1611-1681) described the substance of David’s admonition to “taste” God as follows: “Our senses help our understandings; we cannot by the most rational discourse perceive what the sweetness of honey is; taste it and you shall perceive it.”

Psalm 34

David was on the run from King Saul. He was in such a desperate situation that he chose to run to Gath, the land of the Philistines. David knew he would be viewed as a threat in Gath, so he took desperate measures by feigning madness before King Achish. He stood at the city gates with saliva running down his beard (1 Sam. 21:13). David had reached rock bottom, but God still delivered him. After this incident, David fled to the Cave of Adullam, where he wrote this psalm.

The Essence of Biblical Worship (vv. 1-7): The first seven verses of this psalm teach five principles that capture the essence of biblical worship. First, these verses reveal that worship begins in the heart of the believer. In verses 1-2, David uses the personal pronouns “I” and “my” to reflect that he is personally praising God for his deliverance.

Second, worship involves all that we are. David states that he will worship God with his entire life (“at all times”) and with all his being (“My soul will boast in the Lord”). Third, worship is focused entirely on God. David declares that his “boast” is solely “in the Lord.”

Fourth, worship is a corporate experience. David calls the afflicted to “hear and rejoice,” and in verse 3 he calls on the entire congregation to “glorify the Lord” and “exalt his name.” Fifth, worship is a dialogue with God. In verses 4-7, we see the actions of the worshiper [seeking (v. 4), looking (v. 5), calling (v.6), and fearing (v. 7)] and the responses of God [answering and delivering (v. 4), keeping us from shame (v. 5), saving us from trouble (v. 6) and defending us (v. 7)]. True biblical worship embodies this type of covenantal dialogue.

The Effects of Biblical Worship (vv. 8-22): The second part of this psalm reveals four effects of biblical worship.

First, worship teaches us how to live. In verse 11, David calls the people to listen to him because he is about to teach them about the fear of the Lord. Here David begins to preach. He begins to instruct the congregation on how to live in God’s kingdom. Verses 9-22 unfold many of these ethical imperatives, with verse 14 serving as a summary: “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Second, worship teaches us that our sufficiency is in God. In verse 10, David reminds us that lions may grow hungry, “but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Lions were considered the most efficient predators of David’s world. Lions were the least likely creatures to be in want. However, God states that even the self-sufficient lion may go hungry, but those who depend on God will never lack.

Third, worship transforms us. David alludes to this in verse 5 where he declares, “Those who look to him are radiant.” We cannot encounter the living God and remain unchanged (cf. Ex. 34:29; 2 Cor. 3:7-18).

Fourth, worship allows us to experience God. David makes a bold invitation in verse 8 when he states, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” David had been in a desperate situation in Gath, and God delivered him. David experienced God’s goodness. He tasted it. Now David invites us to do the same.

Finally, Psalm 34 reminds us that one greater than David also experienced the Father’s goodness. Psalm 34:20 was fulfilled in Christ’s crucifixion: “Not one of his bones will be broken” (John 19:36). In the midst of the greatest trial ever, Jesus committed Himself to the Father. He tasted and saw that the Father was good.

Psalm 34 invites you to do the same. It reminds you that if you are hungry for Him you will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). When we depend on God, we lack no good thing.

—Anthony Selvaggio