Taste and See | Psalm 34

Psalm 34 offers us a radical invitation to praise God not when life is comfortable, but when we find ourselves in the darkest caves of our existence. Written by David while he was hunted, homeless, and humiliated—having just pretended to be insane to escape his enemies—this psalm teaches us that worship is not a reaction to good circumstances but a constant discipline that transforms our perspective. The call to 'taste and see that the Lord is good' reminds us that faith must be experiential, not merely intellectual. We cannot inherit someone else's relationship with God or rely on childhood religious exposure. Each of us must personally seek the Lord, and when we do, three promises await: He will hear us, He will answer us, and He will deliver us. The image of God's angels encamping around those who fear Him paints a picture of divine protection even when we feel most vulnerable. This psalm challenges us to guard our tongues, pursue peace, and remember that our brokenness is not something God avoids—it's what draws Him near. The afflictions we face are real, but they become the very invitation for God's presence to manifest in our lives.