Psalm 34 (2nd)

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the
Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and
hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (8-10)
Bible scholars believe that the occasion of this writing was an unusual experience in Davids
life when he was escaping from King Saul, his father-in-law who was in jealous rage because
of David popularity with the people (I Samuel 18:6-10)
When David fled into the enemy territory of the Philistines, he was brought before Achish,
King of Gath David feigned madness before Achish and was released (I Samuel 21:10-15)
Though unjustly hated by King Saul and living as a fugitive in a foreign land, David is
overwhelmed by Gods goodness, His protection, and His provision
He encourages his followers to celebrate with Him and to praise God for His faithfulness
Lions are considered powerful and self-sufficient, yet lions may grow weak and hungry, but
those who seek the Lord lack no good thing God provides for those who take refuge in
Him
When David writes Taste and see that the Lord is good, he invites his followers to join him
in the enjoyment of experiencing the shelter and refuge of his heavenly Father
Isaiah asks: Why spend money on what is not bread and labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare (Isaiah
55:2-3)
This invitation is similar to that of Jesus when He says, Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give your rest; take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29)
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves
life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from
speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (11-14)
David exhorts his children to listen and learn: I will teach you the fear of the Lord
The skills of David were many poet, musician, warrior and military leader he could have
taught his followers many things, yet his hearts desire was to teach the fear of the Lord
Because he knew that every aspect of life depended on Gods sustenance and provision, and
apart from God he was absolutely powerless
Again this Old Testament truth parallels the words of Jesus Remain in Me as I also remain
in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine; neither can you bear
fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches; if you remain in Me
and I in you, you will bear much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5)
When we are empowered by the Spirit of God as we submit ourselves to Him, He empowers
us to control our tongues, to turn from evil and do good, and to be instruments of peace
Peace is not absence of conflict or painless emotion, but an established fact Therefore
since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Jesus Christ
(Rom 5:1)
We who were enemies of God because of sin (Col 1:21), now have peace with God and so
express what He has done in us by working out (Phil 2:12) this grace in relationship to
others

 St. Francis of Assisi prayed, Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace

The Apostle Paul exhorts us: If it is possible, as far as it depend on you, live at peace with
everyone (Romans12:18) the implication being that there will be enmity in this fallen
world, but as Christs ambassadors (II Corinthians 5:20), we are to be peacemakers, of
whom Jesus said would be blessed and called children of God (Matthew 5:9)