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    Psalms 34 (KJV)

    Read Psalms chapter 34 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Psalm 34 KJV — Quick Answers

    What does Psalm 34 mean?
    Psalm 34 is David's song of thanksgiving after God delivered him from danger (1 Samuel 21, when he escaped King Achish by feigning madness). It moves from personal praise to teaching others: God is near to the broken-hearted, hears the cry of the righteous, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
    What does "O taste and see that the Lord is good" mean?
    David invites the reader into firsthand experience — not secondhand belief. Like food, God's goodness must be sampled to be known. The verse calls for active trust: try Him, depend on Him, and you will find Him good.
    Who wrote Psalm 34 and why?
    David wrote it after escaping Abimelech (Achish, king of Gath) by pretending to be insane. The acrostic structure — each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet — suggests careful composition after the danger had passed, turning a frightening episode into a teaching tool.
    What does "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" mean?
    God is not distant from the crushed; He is closest to them. Psalm 34:18 has comforted believers in grief for three millennia. Brokenness is not a disqualification from God's presence — it is often the very condition that draws Him nearer.

    Psalms 34

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Psalm 34:1

    "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continu…"

    Psalm 34:4

    "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from al…"

    Psalm 34:17-18

    "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them…"

    Psalm 34:18

    "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and s…"

    Psalm 34:8

    "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man th…"

    Psalm 34:7

    "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear h…"

    Psalm 34:10

    "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that se…"

    Psalm 34:14

    "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.…"

    Psalm 34:19

    "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD deli…"

    Psalm 34:5

    "They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces we…"

    Psalm 34:17

    "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them…"

    Popular Verses in Psalms 34

    Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

    Psalm 34:14 KJV

    Peace & Anxiety

    Psalm 34:18 KJV

    Trials & Suffering

    Psalm 34:17 KJV

    Trials & Suffering

    Psalm 34:19 KJV

    Trials & Suffering

    Psalm 34:1 KJV

    Major Psalms

    Psalm 34:8 KJV

    Major Psalms

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    Psalms 34 Summary

    Psalm 34 is David's acrostic psalm of praise, written after he feigned madness before King Abimelech (Achish) to escape danger. Despite that humbling episode, David celebrates God's deliverance with exuberant gratitude. He invites others to join him: 'O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.'

    The psalm is rich with practical wisdom: 'The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.' David teaches the fear of the Lord, calls the listener to 'taste and see that the LORD is good,' and assures that 'many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.' Not one of the righteous person's bones will be broken — a detail prophetically fulfilled in Christ's crucifixion.

    Key Themes

    Praise in TroubleGod's ProtectionTasting God's GoodnessThe Fear of the Lord

    Key Verses in Psalms 34

    "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

    — Psalms 34:8

    An invitation to personal experience — God's goodness isn't theoretical but experiential.

    "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

    — Psalms 34:18

    One of Scripture's most comforting promises — God draws closest when you're most shattered.

    "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

    — Psalms 34:19

    Affliction isn't eliminated but God's deliverance is guaranteed — through every trial, not just some.

    Life Application

    Psalm 34 doesn't promise a trouble-free life but a never-alone life. God is nearest to the brokenhearted. If you're crushed right now, take comfort: that's exactly where God draws close. And taste His goodness — don't just read about it, experience it personally.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does 'taste and see' mean?

    It's an invitation to personal, experiential knowledge of God. Just as you can't know a food's flavor by reading about it, you can't truly know God's goodness without personal encounter. Trust Him, experience His faithfulness, and you'll discover He is good.

    How was Psalm 34:20 fulfilled in Christ?

    'He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.' John 19:36 cites this as fulfilled when the soldiers broke the legs of the thieves but found Jesus already dead, leaving His bones unbroken — a detail no human could have orchestrated.

    Psalm 34 Commentary & Reflection

    Thanksgiving
    Joyful, inviting

    Best read for: After deliverance, brokenheartedness

    Overview of Psalm 34: Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

    Written after David escaped from King Abimelech by feigning madness, Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem of praise and practical wisdom. David invites others to magnify the Lord with him, sharing how God delivered him from all his fears. The psalm teaches that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and that those who fear Him lack nothing good.

    Key Themes

    Praise
    Deliverance
    Fear of God
    Brokenheartedness

    Key Verses to Remember

    “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
    — Psalm 34:8 (KJV)
    “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)

    Reflection

    God doesn't just rescue from a distance — He draws near to the brokenhearted. This psalm is both testimony and invitation: taste and see for yourself that God is good. Have you tasted His goodness lately?

    Historical Context

    David wrote this acrostic psalm after feigning madness before King Achish of Gath to save his life (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Despite this humiliating episode—drooling on his beard, scratching at doors—David praised God for deliverance. 'O taste and see that the Lord is good' may be the most powerful invitation in all of Scripture, moving faith from intellectual assent to experiential knowledge.

    How to Apply Psalm 34 Today

    Invite someone to 'taste and see' God's goodness—not through argument but through experience. Share a meal, tell your story, show kindness without agenda. Apologetics convince the mind; hospitality and testimony open the heart. Be a taste of God's goodness to someone today.

    A Prayer from Psalm 34

    I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. Amen.

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