Taste and See

Psalm 34 was not written after a victory parade. Its heading ties it to one of the most embarrassing days of David's life. Running from Saul, he ended up in the Philistine city of Gath, of all places. When he realized he was in danger there, he pretended to be insane, scratching on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard, until the king sent him away (1 Samuel 21). That is not a story you put on your resume. But David walked out of that day alive, and this is the song he sang.

“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” At all times. Not just on good days. Not just when you feel spiritual. David chooses praise before he tells his story, not after he feels like it. And then he invites company: “Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.” Praise was never meant to be a solo act. Your story of God's help is meant to strengthen somebody else.

Here is David's story: “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” Notice, all my fears. Not just the danger outside, but the fear inside. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He changes you in the situation. Often He does both. And it shows up on your face. “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.” David had just been publicly humiliated, and yet he says those who look to God will not be put to shame in the end.

Then he calls himself “This poor man.” He is not posing as a hero. He is a man who cried out and was heard. “This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.” If you think your prayer has to be impressive for God to listen, read that line again. The poor man called. God heard.

Verse 7 adds a picture of protection: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.” A camp set up around the ones who fear God. You may feel exposed this morning, alone in a cubicle, alone in a truck cab, alone in a hospital room. The psalm says you are not as alone as you feel.

Then comes the invitation at the heart of the psalm: “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” Nobody can taste for you. A friend can tell you the brisket at his favorite place is the best in town, and you can believe him, but until you take a bite, you only know about it. David is not only saying, agree that God is good. He is saying, try Him. Take refuge in Him and find out. “blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

The apostle Peter picked up this language when he wrote to believers who had come to Christ, “now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” For Peter, the goodness of the LORD has a name and a face. Jesus was humiliated far worse than David at Gath. He was mocked, stripped and crucified, not to save His own life, but to save ours. Then He rose. Every good thing you taste of God comes to you through Him.

So what does it look like to taste and see today? It looks like actually praying instead of only worrying. It looks like opening your Bible and reading it slowly, like a meal and not a pill. It looks like telling one other person what God has done for you, so they can magnify Him with you. You will not learn the goodness of God from across the room. Come to the table. Take a bite.