God Is Good · Day 1
Psalms 34:1-10 — a devotion
Psalms 34
- 1내가 여호와를 항상 송축함이여 그를 송축함이 내 입에 계속하리로다I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.
- 2내 영혼이 여호와로 자랑하리니 곤고한 자가 이를 듣고 기뻐하리로다My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.My soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
- 3나와 함께 여호와를 광대하시다 하며 함께 그 이름을 높이세O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let’s exalt his name together.
- 4내가 여호와께 구하매 내게 응답하시고 내 모든 두려움에서 나를 건지셨도다I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- 5저희가 주를 앙망하고 광채를 입었으니 그 얼굴이 영영히 부끄럽지 아니하리로다They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
- 6이 곤고한 자가 부르짖으매 여호와께서 들으시고 그 모든 환난에서 구원하셨도다This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
- 7여호와의 사자가 주를 경외하는 자를 둘러 진치고 저희를 건지시는도다The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
- 8너희는 여호와의 선하심을 맛보아 알지어다 그에게 피하는 자는 복이 있도다O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
- 9너희 성도들아 여호와를 경외하라 저를 경외하는 자에게는 부족함이 없도다O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.Oh fear the LORD, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.
- 10젊은 사자는 궁핍하여 주릴지라도 여호와를 찾는 자는 모든 좋은 것에 부족함이 없으리로다The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Psalm 34 is a psalm of thanksgiving David wrote after he feigned madness before Abimelech (Achish), king of Gath in Philistine territory, and was driven away (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Fleeing from Saul, David had taken refuge even in enemy country, where his life came under threat, and this psalm sings of how God helped him escape. It is an acrostic poem following the order of the Hebrew alphabet, with a strongly instructional character. The first part (verses 1-10) is personal thanksgiving and praise, while the second part (verses 11-22) shifts to wisdom teaching. Verse 8, 'O taste and see,' is the psalm's central invitation — a key verse urging the worshiping community to experience God's goodness for themselves.
Reflection questions: 1. If you have ever 'tasted' God's goodness firsthand, what was the situation at the time? 2. Is there an area of your life right now where it is hard to trust God's goodness? What is it? 3. What would it mean for me, like David, to praise God even in the middle of hardship?
Today's reflection
Psalm 34 is a psalm of thanksgiving David wrote after escaping danger by pretending to be mad before Abimelech, king of Gath. In verses 1-3 David declares that he will bless the Lord no matter the circumstances, and in verses 4-7 he shares how God answered when he sought Him in his fear. Then verse 8 gives the central invitation: 'O taste and see that the Lord is good.' The word 'taste' here means not knowing with your head but experiencing for yourself. Just as you taste food, you are invited to experience God's goodness firsthand.
Theologically, God's goodness is not an abstract concept but shows itself in concrete care. Verses 9-10 say that even young lions may lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. This is not a guarantee of material abundance; it is a confession of trust that God knows what we truly need and provides it.
Perhaps life feels so hard right now that God's goodness is difficult to sense. David wrote this psalm while living as a fugitive. You can experience God's goodness even when your circumstances are far from perfect — that is the comfort this passage offers.
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