Psalms 34:8

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 34:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.
Psalms 34:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“O taste, and see that the Lord [is] good, etc.] He is essentially, infinitely, perfectly, immutably, and solely good in himself; and he is communicatively and diffusively good to others: he is the author of all good, but not of any evil, in a moral sense; this chiefly regards his special grace and goodness through Christ: all the divine Persons in the Godhead are good; the Father is good, he has good designs towards his people, has provided good things for them, made good promises to them, and bestows good gifts on them: the Son is good; the good Shepherd that has laid down his life for the sheep; he is the fountain of all grace and goodness to his churches, and to particular believers; he…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“taste and see--try and experience.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“O taste and see - This is an address to others, founded on the experience of the psalmist. He had found protection from the Lord; he had had evidence of His goodness; and he asks now of others that they would make the same trial which he had made. It is the language of piety in view of personal experience; and it is such language as a young convert, whose heart is filled with joy as hope first dawns on his soul, would address to his companions and friends, and to all the world around; such language as one who has had any special comfort, or who has experienced any special deliverance from temptation or from trouble, would address to others. Lessons, derived from our own experience, we may…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“O taste - Make trial, of it by your own experience of it. Good - Merciful and gracious. Psalms 34:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“34:8-14 The godly encourage everyone to seek wisdom, to fear the Lord, and to place themselves under the protection of the Lord’s angel.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“taste: Psa 63:5, Psa 119:103; Sol 2:3, Sol 5:1; Heb 6:4, Heb 6:5; Pe1 2:2, Pe1 2:3; Jo1 1:1-3 Lord: Psa 36:7, Psa 36:10, Psa 52:1; Jer 31:14; Zac 9:17; Jo1 4:7-10 blessed: Psa 2:12, Psa 84:12 Psalms 34:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification