Taste and See (Psalm 34)

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

David’s mouth is filled with praise. He says he will bless the Lord at all times.

even in hard times he blesses the Lord.

David in this psalm made some interesting claims, but before we get into that, let’s take a look at verse 3.

Psalm 34:3 .

Psalm 34:3 ESV

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

He invites the reader to worship God with him!

Singing love songs Illustration

Would you sing a love song about a girl/boy you don’t know?

Maybe you have a crush?

Some of you aren’t singers but writers.

Have you ever written a love letter to someone who don’t know?

Love letter in general?

If you are uncomfortable answering good, I know you are listening.

David didn’t just write a poem about someone he didn’t know very well.

He knew a lot of things about the person he was writing about.

He knew some truths about Him that stirred up his heart to love Him.

He had a close friendship with God.

He shares some of these truths and even gives a testimony about God.

Does anyone want to read Psalm 34:4-8?

Passage: Psalm 34:4–8 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

What are some things you notice about those verses?

Any observations?

David was in trouble and he was delivered by God.

God rescues His people from every fear and trouble.

Anyone who looks to God shine and feel His presence.

He cried out and God answered His prayer.

Now David says something peculiar. Taste and ___?

See.

Point A: How to Taste and See

What does this even mean?

Taste and See what does that mean?

Taste and See illustration (Food and Seeing something incredible?)

Has your friend ever told you a story that was so absurd that you just couldn’t believe it?

Maybe your friend says, “you just had to be there.”

This happened to me last week where I was playing a video game with a friend, like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, etc. Code Vein. Think about Medival battles but with monsters and magic.

We’re fighting a boss and while my friend is doing damage, the boss targets me, spins, and with a giant sword thing, smacks me off a cliff, and I fall into the depths.

He asks me what happened, and I just said,

Did you SEE that?

You see, there are some things with God you just have to seek and find out for yourself.

You have to try it yourself.

v8. Taste and see = seeking God (seek God).

The Bible tells us that

Those who seek the Lord will taste and see of God’s goodness.

It says things like:

How blessed is the one who seeks God?

Those who fear God (Respect God) lack nothing at all.

So my subpoint is:

Seek God out! Psalm 34 is saying, find out what God is like for yourself! Look for opportunity to connect with Him in your day. Reading your Bible, pray to Him. Sing to Him! Seek the Lord and you will taste and see of his goodness.

Psalm 34:10 “The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

God is good to His people, those who seek His face.

This becomes experiencing the goodness of God.

Now,

David gives instructions of how to live life to the fullest (v.11).

He tells us how to live the good life. No regrets. No shame or guilt. No burdens. A peaceful, righteous life (v11-12). A full life.

Point B: God blesses righteous people with life.

Righteous = right with God.

If you are right with God, you have God’s favor.

God hears the prayers of the righteous, and rescues them.

The Word tells us that Godliness or Righteousness, living for God, is so so much better than living for sin.

It fulfills us. Next question:

If you have ever had someone lend you money, give you a cool gift or do you a favor, how do you react?

Maybe thank them, want to return the favor, tell others about them.

Now if this guy or girl (I’m inclusive y'all) did something really cool you might even sing songs about him or her.

This is the reason for David’s praise in v1-3.

God did some awesome things for Him and does awesome things for His people.

In fact the Word says that no one who trusts in the Lord will be lost but redeemed.

There is so much good that comes from being right with God.

Application/Ending point:

One last thing about Psalm 34 is verse 22.

(Verse 22 first, then talk about v18 and how God wants the broken to come close to Him, then Gospel connect/invitation).

Psalm 34:22 “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

Now, the Word tells us that the Lord redeems the life of His servants from condemntation.

What is David talking about?

God is not just a God who rescues us from the hell we go through, but the hell we were destined to go to.

The Lord promised David that someone from his bloodline will eventually become king and save people from hell, giving them eternal life in Heaven with God.

This King’s name is Yeshua, also known as Jesus.

And Jesus, being the King he is, gets his crown of thorns placed on His head.

And a sign posted on the cross where he hung, saying “The King of the Jews”.

Jesus is God’s promise to redeem the life of God’s servants.

Because of Jesus there is no condemnation for those who put their faith in Him.

Those in the Old Testament also believed that God would send the Messiah and believed.

Taking refuge in Him, Jesus, we are saved from sin.

I want to end with Psalm 34:1-3

Psalm 34:1–3 ESV

What a amazing God we serve.

Prayer:

Let us taste and see for ourselves the goodness of God, through Jesus Christ. Amen.