Psalms 34 Study Notes: God's Rescue of the Humble
David praises God after escaping the king by feigning madness, inviting the humble to join him. He testifies that God answered his prayer, urges others to experience God's goodness, teaches honest speech and pursuit of peace, and promises that God is close to the brokenhearted and redeems His servants.
General
What does 34:7 say the angel of the LORD does for people who fear God?
Answer: Camps around them and rescues them
Verse 7 pictures the angel of the LORD setting up camp all around God-fearing people, like an army guarding those inside its circle, and rescuing them. To fear God means to honor and trust Him with reverent awe. When Elisha's servant was afraid, God opened his eyes to see the hills around Elisha filled with fiery horses and chariots (2 Kings 6:17). Hebrews says angels are sent to serve the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
- Psalm 34:7 (BSB)“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.”The angel of the LORD guards and rescues those who fear God.
- 2 Kings 6:17 (BSB)“Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”Elisha's servant is shown the hills filled with fiery horses and chariots around Elisha.
- Hebrews 1:14 (BSB)“Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”Angels are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.
Theological
What protective action does 34:7 ascribe to the angel of the LORD?
Answer: Camps around them and rescues them
Verse 7 uses military imagery: the angel of the LORD pitches camp around the God-fearing and delivers them. God's protection of His people is active and encircling. The unseen host around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17) illustrates the image, and Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as sent to serve the heirs of salvation.
- Psalm 34:7 (BSB)“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.”The angel of the LORD guards and rescues those who fear God.
- 2 Kings 6:17 (BSB)“Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”Elisha's servant is shown the hills filled with fiery horses and chariots around Elisha.
- Hebrews 1:14 (BSB)“Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”Angels are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.
General
In 34:11-14, what does David teach the one who longs for a long and good life?
Answer: Guard your speech, forsake evil, and pursue peace
David speaks like a teacher to children, offering them instruction in fearing the LORD, the reverent awe that shapes how one lives (34:11). For anyone who loves life, he gives practical instruction: keep evil and lies out of your speech, forsake evil and practice good, and go after peace with determination (34:12-14). Peter quotes these verses to teach Christians how to live, especially in the face of mistreatment (1 Peter 3:10-11). Paul likewise urges believers, as far as it depends on them, to be at peace with all people (Romans 12:18).
- Psalm 34:11-14 (BSB)“Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”David teaches the fear of the LORD as a way of life.
- 1 Peter 3:10-11 (BSB)“For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.”Peter quotes these verses to teach believers how to live.
- Romans 12:18 (BSB)“If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.”Paul urges believers, as far as it depends on them, to be at peace with all.
Theological
What content does David give to reverence for the LORD in the instruction of 34:11-14?
Answer: Guard your speech, forsake evil, and pursue peace
In wisdom style David addresses his hearers as children and defines reverence for the LORD ethically: truthful speech, turning from evil to good, and the active pursuit of peace (34:11-14). Peter adopts these verses as instruction for believers who suffer mistreatment (1 Peter 3:10-11), and Paul echoes the call to peace (Romans 12:18). Such obedience is the fruit of reverence for God, not a price paid for His favor.
- Psalm 34:11-14 (BSB)“Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”David teaches the fear of the LORD as a way of life.
- 1 Peter 3:10-11 (BSB)“For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.”Peter quotes these verses to teach believers how to live.
- Romans 12:18 (BSB)“If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.”Paul urges believers, as far as it depends on them, to be at peace with all.
General
In 34:2-3, whom does David want to hear his praise and join him in exalting the LORD?
Answer: The oppressed, who will hear and be glad
David resolves to praise God continually, with praise always ready on his lips (34:1). His soul boasts, not in himself, but in the LORD, so that humble and oppressed people may hear and be glad (34:2). Then he invites them to magnify, or make much of, the LORD with him and to lift up His name as one (34:3). Praise here is shared worship. Another psalm promises that the humble will be glad when they see God's help (Psalm 69:32), Mary's song opens by magnifying the Lord (Luke 1:46-47), and Psalm 22 vows praise among God's people (Psalm 22:22).
- Psalm 34:1-3 (BSB)“Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.”David vows continual praise and invites others to exalt the LORD with him.
- Psalm 69:32 (BSB)“The humble will see and rejoice. You who seek God, let your hearts be revived!”Another psalm promises that the humble will be glad when they see God's help.
- Luke 1:46-47 (BSB)“Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”Mary's song begins by magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in God her Savior.
- Psalm 22:22 (BSB)“I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly.”The psalmist vows to praise God's name among his brothers in the assembly.
Theological
In 34:2-3, who are summoned to hear and share in David's praise?
Answer: The oppressed, who will hear and be glad
David's boasting in the LORD (34:2) is addressed to the humble and oppressed, who are to hear and rejoice, and in 34:3 they are summoned to magnify and exalt God with him. Private deliverance becomes corporate doxology. The same movement appears in Psalm 69:32, in Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-47), and in Psalm 22:22.
- Psalm 34:1-3 (BSB)“Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.”David vows continual praise and invites others to exalt the LORD with him.
- Psalm 69:32 (BSB)“The humble will see and rejoice. You who seek God, let your hearts be revived!”Another psalm promises that the humble will be glad when they see God's help.
- Luke 1:46-47 (BSB)“Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”Mary's song begins by magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in God her Savior.
- Psalm 22:22 (BSB)“I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly.”The psalmist vows to praise God's name among his brothers in the assembly.
General
In 34:9-10, how does David contrast young lions with people who seek God?
Answer: Strong lions may go hungry, but God's seekers lack nothing good
David calls God's saints, His holy people, to fear Him, because the reverent lack nothing (34:9). Young lions, strong hunters, may still go hungry, yet people who seek God are not deprived of anything good (34:10). This is a promise of God's care, not a guarantee of wealth or comfort; good means what God knows His children truly need. Jesus teaches that the Father knows what His children need and supplies these things to those who put His kingdom first (Matthew 6:31-33), and another psalm says God keeps back nothing good from those who live with integrity (Psalm 84:11). Paul learned contentment both in plenty and in hunger (Philippians 4:12), showing that God's faithful people may still face need while He supplies what is truly good.
- Psalm 34:9-10 (BSB)“Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”David calls the saints to fear God and contrasts hungry lions with those who seek Him.
- Matthew 6:31-33 (BSB)“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”Jesus teaches that the Father knows His children's needs and supplies them as they seek His kingdom.
- Psalm 84:11 (BSB)“For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.”God withholds nothing good from those who walk with integrity.
- Philippians 4:12 (BSB)“I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.”Paul knew both plenty and hunger, showing that God's people may still face need.
Theological
What point does the young-lion contrast in 34:10 make about those who fear and seek the LORD?
Answer: Strong lions may go hungry, but God's seekers lack nothing good
Verses 9-10 set the self-sufficient young lions, who can still go hungry, against the God-fearing, who are not deprived of anything good. The promise is God's faithful provision of true good, not a formula for material abundance; the faithful may still know hunger (Philippians 4:12). Jesus grounds the same confidence in the Father's knowledge of His children's needs (Matthew 6:31-33), and Psalm 84:11 affirms that God withholds nothing good from the upright.
- Psalm 34:9-10 (BSB)“Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”David calls the saints to fear God and contrasts hungry lions with those who seek Him.
- Matthew 6:31-33 (BSB)“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”Jesus teaches that the Father knows His children's needs and supplies them as they seek His kingdom.
- Psalm 84:11 (BSB)“For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.”God withholds nothing good from those who walk with integrity.
- Philippians 4:12 (BSB)“I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.”Paul knew both plenty and hunger, showing that God's people may still face need.
General
According to 34:15-18, to whom is the LORD near?
Answer: Those crushed in heart and humbled in spirit
God watches over the righteous and listens to their cry, while His face is set against evildoers to erase their memory (34:15-16). When righteous people call for help, He hears and rescues them (34:17). He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those whose spirits are crushed with sorrow and repentance (34:18). Peter quotes 34:15 and the first part of 34:16 in his letter (1 Peter 3:12). David elsewhere says God does not despise a heart crushed by sin (Psalm 51:17), and through Isaiah God says He dwells with the lowly and revives the contrite (Isaiah 57:15).
- Psalm 34:15-18 (BSB)“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.”The LORD watches over the righteous, opposes evildoers, and draws near to the brokenhearted.
- 1 Peter 3:12 (BSB)“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””Peter quotes 34:15 and the first part of 34:16.
- Psalm 51:17 (BSB)“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”God does not despise a heart crushed and humbled over sin.
- Isaiah 57:15 (BSB)“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.”The holy God dwells with the lowly and revives the contrite.
Theological
Whom does 34:18 identify as the objects of the LORD's nearness and saving help?
Answer: Those crushed in heart and humbled in spirit
Verses 15-17 contrast God's attentive care for the righteous with His settled opposition to evildoers, and 34:18 names the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit as those He is near and saves. God draws near not to the self-sufficient but to the humbled, the pattern of Psalm 51:17 and Isaiah 57:15. Peter cites 34:15-16a in 1 Peter 3:12.
- Psalm 34:15-18 (BSB)“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.”The LORD watches over the righteous, opposes evildoers, and draws near to the brokenhearted.
- 1 Peter 3:12 (BSB)“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””Peter quotes 34:15 and the first part of 34:16.
- Psalm 51:17 (BSB)“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”God does not despise a heart crushed and humbled over sin.
- Isaiah 57:15 (BSB)“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.”The holy God dwells with the lowly and revives the contrite.
General
Which event does John connect with the promise in 34:20 that the righteous man's bones will be protected?
Answer: The soldiers leaving Jesus' legs unbroken at the cross
The righteous face many hardships, but the LORD rescues them from all of them (34:19), and He guards all their bones so that not one is broken (34:20). John records that when soldiers came to Jesus on the cross, they saw He had already died and left His legs unbroken (John 19:33). John says this happened to fulfill Scripture (John 19:36). His wording fits both this psalm and the Passover command that the lamb's bones must not be broken (Exodus 12:46). Jesus is the truly Righteous One and the true Passover Lamb.
- Psalm 34:19-20 (BSB)“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.”The LORD rescues the righteous from many afflictions and guards all his bones.
- John 19:33 (BSB)“But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.”The soldiers find Jesus already dead and leave His legs unbroken.
- John 19:36 (BSB)“Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.””John says this happened so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
- Exodus 12:46 (BSB)“It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.”The Passover lamb's bones were not to be broken.
Theological
How does John 19 apply the promise of 34:19-20?
Answer: The soldiers leaving Jesus' legs unbroken at the cross
Verses 19-20 promise that the LORD delivers the righteous from many afflictions and guards all his bones. John sees this fulfilled at the cross: the soldiers found Jesus already dead and left His legs unbroken (John 19:33), which John says fulfilled Scripture (John 19:36). John's wording fits both this psalm and the Passover regulation of Exodus 12:46, presenting Jesus as the suffering Righteous One whom God preserved and the true Passover Lamb.
- Psalm 34:19-20 (BSB)“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.”The LORD rescues the righteous from many afflictions and guards all his bones.
- John 19:33 (BSB)“But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.”The soldiers find Jesus already dead and leave His legs unbroken.
- John 19:36 (BSB)“Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.””John says this happened so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
- Exodus 12:46 (BSB)“It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.”The Passover lamb's bones were not to be broken.
General
True or False: Psalm 34 ends with the promise that God's servants who shelter in Him will escape condemnation, while evil brings the wicked to ruin.
Answer: True
This is true. Evil itself will destroy the wicked, and people who hate the righteous are found guilty (34:21). But the LORD rescues and buys back those who serve Him, and no one sheltering in Him will face condemnation (34:22). To redeem means to set free at a cost. The New Testament shows the full meaning of this promise in Christ: those united to Christ Jesus face no condemnation (Romans 8:1), because God justifies, or declares righteous, His chosen people, and Christ intercedes for them (Romans 8:33-34). Jesus also promises that His sheep will never perish or be seized from His hand (John 10:28).
- Psalm 34:21-22 (BSB)“Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”The psalm closes by contrasting the ruin of the wicked with the redemption of God's servants.
- Romans 8:1 (BSB)“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”Those united to Christ Jesus face no condemnation.
- Romans 8:33-34 (BSB)“Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.”God justifies His elect, and the risen Christ intercedes for them.
- John 10:28 (BSB)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.”Jesus gives His sheep eternal life, and no one can snatch them from His hand.
Theological
True or False: The closing verses of Psalm 34 (21-22) contrast the ruin of the wicked with the redemption of the LORD's servants, none of whom will be condemned.
Answer: True
This is true. Verses 21-22 close the psalm with a final contrast: evil recoils on the wicked, and those who hate the righteous are held guilty, while the LORD redeems those who serve Him, and no one sheltering in Him is condemned. In the NT the promise reaches its fullness in justification: those in Christ Jesus are beyond condemnation (Romans 8:1), since God justifies His elect and the risen Christ intercedes for them (Romans 8:33-34). The same Lord keeps them so that none is lost (John 10:28).
- Psalm 34:21-22 (BSB)“Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”The psalm closes by contrasting the ruin of the wicked with the redemption of God's servants.
- Romans 8:1 (BSB)“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”Those united to Christ Jesus face no condemnation.
- Romans 8:33-34 (BSB)“Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.”God justifies His elect, and the risen Christ intercedes for them.
- John 10:28 (BSB)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.”Jesus gives His sheep eternal life, and no one can snatch them from His hand.
General
True or False: In 34:4-6, David says he prayed to God, God answered him, and God rescued him from what he feared and from his troubles.
Answer: True
This is true. David testifies that when he sought God, God answered and freed him from every fear (34:4). People who turn their eyes to God shine with joy and are never disgraced (34:5). Speaking of himself as a poor, needy man, he says he cried out, the LORD heard, and rescued him out of every trouble (34:6). Another psalm tells of calling on God in distress and being heard (Psalm 18:6), and God Himself invites His people to call on Him when trouble comes so He can rescue them (Psalm 50:15).
- Psalm 34:4-6 (BSB)“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.”David testifies that God answered him and rescued him from fear and trouble.
- Psalm 18:6 (BSB)“In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.”Another psalm tells of calling on God in distress and being heard.
- Psalm 50:15 (BSB)“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.””God invites His people to call on Him in trouble and promises to deliver them.
Theological
True or False: In 34:4-6, David testifies that his seeking of the LORD was answered with deliverance from every fear and every distress.
Answer: True
This is true. Verses 4-6 are David's testimony: he sought the LORD, was answered, and was freed from every fear. The faces of people who turn their eyes to God are radiant and unashamed, and the poor man who cried out was heard and saved out of every trouble. Psalm 18:6 and Psalm 50:15 show the same pattern of distress, prayer, and deliverance.
- Psalm 34:4-6 (BSB)“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.”David testifies that God answered him and rescued him from fear and trouble.
- Psalm 18:6 (BSB)“In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.”Another psalm tells of calling on God in distress and being heard.
- Psalm 50:15 (BSB)“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.””God invites His people to call on Him in trouble and promises to deliver them.
General
What setting does the heading of Psalm 34 give for the psalm?
Answer: When David acted insane before Abimelech
The heading, counted as part of verse 1, says the psalm comes from the time David feigned insanity in front of Abimelech and the king sent him off. 1 Samuel 21 tells of David fleeing from Saul to Gath, where Achish ruled. Terrified, David pretended to be mad, scratching at the gate doors and drooling into his beard, and Achish asked why this madman had been brought to him (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Out of that low and frightening moment, David praises God for rescuing him.
- Psalm 34:1 (BSB)“Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”The heading gives the occasion of the psalm, followed by David's opening vow of praise.
- 1 Samuel 21:10 (BSB)“That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.”David, fleeing from Saul, goes to Gath.
- 1 Samuel 21:12-13 (BSB)“Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard.”Afraid of the king of Gath, David changes his behavior and feigns madness.
- 1 Samuel 21:14-15 (BSB)“Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me? Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?””Achish concludes David is mad and does not want him in his presence.
Theological
What historical occasion does the superscription of Psalm 34 assign to the psalm?
Answer: When David acted insane before Abimelech
The superscription sets the psalm after David feigned insanity before Abimelech and was driven out. 1 Samuel 21:10-15 narrates the episode at Gath: David, fleeing Saul and fearing Achish, acted mad until Achish wanted him out of his presence. The psalm that follows turns that humiliating escape into praise, as the afflicted man testifies that the LORD delivered him.
- Psalm 34:1 (BSB)“Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”The heading gives the occasion of the psalm, followed by David's opening vow of praise.
- 1 Samuel 21:10 (BSB)“That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.”David, fleeing from Saul, goes to Gath.
- 1 Samuel 21:12-13 (BSB)“Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard.”Afraid of the king of Gath, David changes his behavior and feigns madness.
- 1 Samuel 21:14-15 (BSB)“Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me? Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?””Achish concludes David is mad and does not want him in his presence.
General
Which New Testament writer echoes the invitation in 34:8 to taste the LORD's goodness?
Answer: Peter, in his first letter
In 34:8 David invites others to taste and see the LORD's goodness, that is, to experience it personally, and he calls blessed the person who shelters in God. Peter echoes this when he urges believers to long for spiritual nourishment like newborn babies, since they have already experienced the Lord's goodness (1 Peter 2:2-3). Psalm 2 ends with a similar blessing on everyone who shelters in Him, right after its command to kiss the Son (Psalm 2:12).
- Psalm 34:8 (BSB)“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”David invites others to experience God's goodness and calls the one who shelters in Him blessed.
- 1 Peter 2:2-3 (BSB)“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”Peter tells believers they have already experienced the Lord's goodness.
- Psalm 2:12 (BSB)“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”Right after the command to kiss the Son, Psalm 2 closes by calling blessed everyone who shelters in Him.
Theological
Where does the NT take up the language of 34:8?
Answer: Peter, in his first letter
Peter draws on 34:8 when he tells believers that, having already experienced the Lord's goodness, they should long for spiritual nourishment and grow up in their salvation (1 Peter 2:2-3). The psalm's invitation to taste and see is an invitation to experiential knowledge of God, joined to a beatitude on the one who shelters in Him, as in Psalm 2:12.
- Psalm 34:8 (BSB)“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”David invites others to experience God's goodness and calls the one who shelters in Him blessed.
- 1 Peter 2:2-3 (BSB)“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”Peter tells believers they have already experienced the Lord's goodness.
- Psalm 2:12 (BSB)“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”Right after the command to kiss the Son, Psalm 2 closes by calling blessed everyone who shelters in Him.