King James Version · read & reflect
Psalm 34
Psalm 34 is David's thanksgiving after God delivered him from danger. It invites first-hand trust — 'O taste and see that the LORD is good' — and promises that 'the LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.' Warm, personal, and full of gratitude, it is one of the psalms people return to for encouragement and for comfort in sorrow.
Key verses
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalms 34:8The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 34:18Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalms 34:19
Psalm 34 in full (KJV)
- I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
- My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
- O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
- I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
- This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
- The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
- O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
- O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
- The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
- Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
- What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
- Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
- Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
- The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
- The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
- The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
- The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
- Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
- He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
- Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
- The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Psalm 34 mean?
- It calls the reader to experience God's goodness personally — to 'taste and see' — and assures that God is near to the brokenhearted, hears the cry of the righteous, and delivers them out of their troubles.
- What does 'taste and see that the LORD is good' mean?
- It is an invitation to trust God first-hand rather than settle for a secondhand report — to step out and find, in your own experience, that he is good and worth taking refuge in.