1. 1. Psalm 34: 2-9 Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Copyrighted material that appears in this article is included under the provisions of the Fair Use Clause of the National Copyright Act, which allows limited reproduction of copyrighted materials for educational and religious use when no financial charge is made for viewing. Catholic Lectionary. (2009). . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
2. 2. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; The lowly will hear me and be glad. Glorify the Lord with me, Let us together extol his name. I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. Taste and see how good the Lord is; Blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (NAB) Catholic Lectionary. 2009. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible
3. 3. In this thanksgiving psalm each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being saved by the Lord from danger (vv. 5, 7), calls on all the lowly (vv. 34) to praise the Lord, who saves the poor who trust Him. The lowly are the defenseless, who have only the Lord to turn to
4. 4. In the second part of the psalm it is taught that anyone who is wise will, by good behavior, join the righteous and thus enjoy Gods favor. The psalmist speaks with peaceful confidence that nothing can happen to one who trusts in the Lord. The faithful will be protected from the wicked and nothing can keep them from the Lord. The psalm is an encouragement for all who struggle to remain loyal to their God.