When everything seems to be working against you, what are you going to do? Listen to the Psalmist words of truth.

     Psalmist strongly expresses how trusting God can powerfully relieve, restrengthen, revive our spiritual life. 

Psalm 56:3 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

     Notice in verses 8 of our Passage, Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” This man discovers the word blessed is more than fleeting feeling, not luck or material abounding but blessed means intense happiness. Real happiness does not come from how much you have and good things you experience.

     Psalm 34 was written by King David during one of the most desperate and humiliating periods of his early life, as he was fleeing from the murderous jealousy of King Saul.

     The historical context of this psalm is explicitly outlined in its introductory superscription, which connects it to the events recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10–15.

     After being anointed as the future king of Israel and defeating Goliath, David became a target for King Saul, who sought to kill him. Fearing for his life, David fled into enemy territory and sought political asylum in Gath, a Philistine city ruled by King Achish (also referred to as "Abimelech," which served as a dynastic title for Philistine rulers).

     Shortly after David arrived in Gath, the Philistine officials recognized him and recalled his past military victories over their people. Realizing he was recognized in enemy territory, David was terrified and resorted to desperate measures to survive. He feigned insanity, scratching marks on the city gates and letting his saliva run down his beard. The ruse worked; King Achish, annoyed by the display, drove David away, allowing him to escape.

     Following his narrow escape from Gath, David retreated to the cave of Adullam. There, he was joined by about 400 desperate, distressed, and indebted men who looked to him for leadership.

     While hiding in the cave, David is not enjoying the luxury of the palace. Yet, in spite of his circumstances and surroundings, David says “Blessed is the man that trusteh in Him.” Everything was certainly not going David’s way, but he was still a happy man. David composed Psalm 34 to reflect on his deliverance. Despite having to resort to deceit to escape Gath, David recognized that God had mercifully protected him. The psalm serves as a joyful testimony of God’s deliverance and functions as a teaching tool for the weary men gathered around him.

I – REACTIONS OF A HAPPY MAN WHO TRUSTS GOD – v. 1-3

     What is David’s reaction to the things going on in his life? Is he murmuring, fretting, bitter and complaining that God is unfair and unloving to allow such tremendous things in his life? No, David did not.   Instead of giving in to despair, fear, or bitterness in a foreign land, he made the deliberate choice to magnify the Lord. David says in verses 1-3.

Psalm 34:1-3 “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. ³ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

     The hunted and hiding man still his heart overflowing in praise unto God. David’s cave becomes a cathedral of praise. 

Let us take a look at David’s praise:

Psalm 34:1a “I will bless the Lord at all times:”

     The root word of the Hebrew term for "bless" is pronounced b-r-k or barak. In its literal, physical sense, this root means "to kneel" or "to bend the knee" David here is on his knees with his hands lifted in the air giving thanks and praise unto God.

     This is a thanksgiving of David for deliverance on changing his behavior by pretending insane or mad before Abimelech, who drove him away and David departed. This is probably a reference when in order to escape arrest as an enemy of the Philistines, David pretended before King Achish of Gath that David had become insane. Reluctant to treat David like a responsible wrongdoer, King Achish ordered him to be expelled from the city and sent away (I Samuel 21:13 “And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. ¹⁴ Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?”).  

     When David said “I will bless the Lord”, David is like saying “I will praise Him; I will be thankful for His mercies, and will always express my sense of God’s goodness.”

     Notice “at all times” this is not only for the ordinary blessings of God’s providence, but for the special, deliverance in the imminent danger at Achish’s court. In every situation of life; in every event that occurs, before, in and after trials. David would never have done praising, because he never satisfied that he had done enough; David always feeling that he fell short of the Lord’s deserving. The idea of “at all times” is, that David would do it publicly and privately; in prosperity and in adversity; in safety and in danger; in joy and in sorrow. It would be a great principle of David’s life, expressive of the deep feeling of his soul, that God always to be regarded as an object of adoration and praise, so unconditionally.

     When David says, “at all times” he is saying that his praise is not limited to the good times. At all times and in all things David praises God unconditionally.

     It is much easier to read Psalm 34:1 than it is to apply in our lives. How can we praise the Lord at all times? Sometimes it is difficult to praise God, sometimes our bodies hurt and weak, or we are experiencing difficulties. Sometimes we see people whom we love facing hard times but we cannot do anything to help them.     

Psalm 34:1b “his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

     David is saying “I will be constantly uttering God’s praises, or my thanks shall be unceasing.” This expresses the purposes of the Psalmist that he would continually praise God and this is an indication of the nature of true piety. At the time David had no idea what the future held. Remember, David during that time was a wanted man and the future could hold death. But nothing even darkness of his future was not about to silence his future and even by what happening to him. With a truly pious man the praise of God is constant whatever my occur. Christian sees that God is always an object of praise. True piety always regards the Lord as worthy of praise, in the storm as well as in the sunshine, in the dark night of calamity, as well as in the bright days of prosperity. Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

     Results when we praise God continually:

     It sanctifies us when we are in surgery room or when we are standing at the casket of our dead dear ones.

Example: Jesus Christ sang before He went to Calvary. Matthew 26:30 “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” “They” refers to Jesus and His disciples.

Example: Paul and Silas praised the Lord in prison when their bodies hurt. Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

     Praising the Lord is one thing all brethren can do together. We sometimes disagree on the sermon, but we can agree on the hymnals. That is the reason why in heaven there are lot of singing and praising. 

     Although everyone can praise the Lord when favorable thing is with them, but is in intense fiery trials that praise truly magnifies the Lord. Praise the Lord unceasingly at all times for it is an essential part of our Christian life.

     David’s remembrance of his deliverance though sometimes past, awakens in him lively gratitude. Now that David is in prosperity, he makes it a ground-work on which to build an enduring monument of thanksgiving and encouragement to believers in all ages to praise God unconditionally and unceasingly.

Psalm 34:1c “in my mouth.”

     David’s praise continually in his mouth. So, this was an uncontainable verbal and vocal praise.

Psalm 34:2 “My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”

     David’s praise was heard by those around him in praising God. David’s praise echoed from wall to wall. David was not hesitant or neither embarrassed to lift up his hearts and hands to God to express his uncontained and uninhibited praise.

     The word “boast” here refers to that on which a man would value himself; that which would be most prominent in his mind when he endeavored to call to remembrance what he could reflect on with most pleasure. When the psalmist did that, it would not be wealth or strength to which he would refer, it would not be his rank or position in society, it would not be what he had done, nor what he had gained, as pertaining to this life. 

     David’s joy would spring from the fact that there was a God; that He was such a God, and that David could regard Him as his God. This would be David chief distinction, that on which he could value himself most. Of all the things that we can possess in this world, the crowning distinction is, that we have a God. So, David praise to God is uncontainable.

Psalm 34:3 “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

     Here David doesn’t keep his praise to himself. David invites others around him to join him in praising God. Truly, faith is contagious. Authentic worship uplifts and strengthens the community of believers.

     David’s praise is the reaction of a man trusting in God. David experiences in Cave do not silence his mouth to praise God. David boasts who God is and invites those who heard his praises to praise God also. That is uncontainable praise! 

II – RECOURSE TO A HAPPY MAN WHO TRUSTS GOD – v. 4-6

     We see in verse 4-6 the recourse of steps taken by a man who trust God. A happy man who trusts God does not cry out in hopelessness and helplessness. There never been a place where a happy man had nowhere to turn to in time when every trial and every need come, his Lord was always there with him. 

Psalm 34:4 “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” David recourse is to turn to God who hears him in his dark and difficult hour.

Psalm 34:6 “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” The word “poor” here does not mean “poor” in the sense of a want of wealth, but “poor” in the sense of being afflicted, crushed, forsaken, desolate. The word “miserable” would better express the idea than the word “poor.” The word poor speaks about David was afflicted or experiencing depressing circumstances so his recourse is to sought the Lord. The emphasis here is on the word “this.” This poor means this afflicted and persecuted man cried. There is something much more touching in this than if he had merely said “I” or “I myself” cried. 

     Notice the words “I sought the Lord, and He heard me” (v.4), “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him.” (v.6). Two times David mentioned the Lord “heard”. That is in the sense that the Lord answered and saved David. 

     This is the time when David was being pursued by jealous King Saul who sought to kill him. The idea is that time when David did not confide in his own wisdom, or trust to any devices of his own, but that he sought the protection and guidance of God, when he fled to the city of Gath, the same when he fled from Gath where he pretended to be insane in order to preserve his life. Out of those events emerged Psalm 34, where David cried out in prayer to God and found peace (v.4, 6) God heard his pleas and delivered David. That is the recourse taken of David by seeking and trusting God who heard him. 

     Are you in a desperate situation and crying out for help? Be assured that God still hears and responds to our desperate prayers today. As with David, God is attentive to our distress calls and takes away our fears (v,4) and sometimes even saves us “out of troubles” (v.6). That is the recourse how God heard and answers man who trusted Him. 

     David cry is addressed unto the LORD, that is spelled with all capital letters. This four-lettered name of God in Hebrew the name is spelled YHVH. In the original Hebrew, God’s name transliterates to YHWH. This is known as the Tetragrammaton (meaning four letters). Because of the lack of vowels, Bible scholars debate how the tetragrammaton YHWH was pronounced. It is the name that is often commonly translated Yahweh or Jehovah. In Jewish tradition, this name is considered so sacred and too holy to be spoken by human or that it is rarely spoken aloud to avoid taking the Lord’s name in vain. This specific name belongs solely to God and cannot be applied to anyone or anything else. It refers to the name unique, distinct, and transcendent nature above all other names. The name speaks of God as the eternal and self-existing One, constantly revealing, all powerful One. He is that always was, that always is, and ever is to come. It is the LORD who need no one or nothing outside of Himself to exist. Did you see that? David is talking and was heard or answered by the LORD who is so sacred and holy, eternal, self-existent One, all powerful.    

     The LORD expects to hear from you before you can expect to hear from him. If you restrain prayer, it is no wonder the mercy promised is retained. 

     How often we say or hear “Not now, I am busy” or “I am sorry, but I just don’t have time”. Yet, our heavenly Father, the Master and Creator of everything, always has time for us. The psalmist wrote: Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Psalm 34:17 “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” God is not like the emperor or a busy executive who tries to avoid interruption. Instead, the Father’s joy is to listen and respond to His children. Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

     As God did with the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3, Christ knocks on the door of our heart and patiently waits (Rev.3:20). God listen attentively for our call, our cry, our prayer. How often does the LORD wait in vain?

     Notice David says in verse 4 “delivered me from all my fears” and verse 6 “saved him out of all his troubles” Not only God heard David but also God helped David. Jesus is always “on call” to hear our prayers and provide the deliverance we need. The recourse is that David sought God who helped him.

     Deliverance refers to God actively rescuing, saving, and freeing the Psalmist David from the grip of paralyzing terror and anxiety. God did not just remove David from the dangerous situation; God delivered David's heart from the grip of fear.

     When wrong fear attacks us, the verse outlines a powerful three-step spiritual process: Seeking (David actively prayed and reached out to God), Hearing (the Creator paid attention and answered), and Delivering (God delivered, rescue, saves us or holds us up).   

     Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something such as our wealth, health, reputation, position, safety, family, friends. It reveals our innate desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than fully entrusting them to God’s care and control. When fear takes over, it cripples us emotionally and saps us spiritually. Examples: We’re afraid to tell others about Christ, we’re afraid to extend our lives and resources for the benefit of others, or we are afraid to venture into new territory. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands.

     The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. Only when we trust the reality of God’s presence, power, protection, and provision for our lives can we share the joy of the psalmist, who said, Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” That is the recourse of steps that David had taken and that is to sought God.

     Notice the words “all my fears”, David is referring from all that he apprehended from Saul, and again from all that he dreaded when he found that Abimelech would not harbor him, but drove him from him. The original Hebrew for "all my fears" implies "the whole, any, and every" thing that inspires dread. This highlights that no matter the source of the anxiety—whether external threats like enemies or internal struggles like doubt and stress—God is the ultimate deliverer. The passage serves as a timeless reminder that when believers bring their deepest anxieties to God, He responds by granting peace and protection.

     Being delivered “from all my fears” does not imply that challenges and threats cease to exist. David had learned that, despite the danger and trouble, God heard and answered his prayers. Therefore, David experienced peace and confidence in God. When God delivering me from all my fears is not merely about escaping danger but about experiencing a divine sense of calm that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

     When we cried unto the Lord for help, we will never be ashamed. In Psalm 34:5 “They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”; Psalm 31:1 “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.”     

What problem are you facing today? Perhaps you are struggling with physical or financial difficulties. Whatever your problems, God promises to help you through them that put their trust in Him. Are you trusting Jesus to save you and keep you? God never forsakes and never fails to hear and helps anyone who trust Him in their time of need. That God’s recourse

     Whoever trust God will see the evidence that God helps anyone who put their trust in God during struggling moments of life. And anyone who trusts God can testify together with David that Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” The phrase “The angel of the Lord” is the angel of God’s presence (Isaiah 63:9). This angel is the Lord and Captain of the host of angels (Joshua 5:14; I Kings 22:19) who encamp round the Lord’s people (Psalm 91:11; II Kings 6:17). 

     David attributes his safety from danger at the time to which he is referring, not to his own art or skill; not to the valor of his own arm, or to the prowess of his followers, but to the goodness of God in sending an angel, or a company of angels, to rescue him; and hence, he infers that what was true of himself would be true of others who put their trust fully in God. 

     Therefore, the recourse is that God heard and helped David, when he sought and cried and trusted on Him.

III – REWARD OF A HAPPY MAN WHO TRUSTS GOD – v. 8-10

     Psalm 34:8a “O taste and see that the Lord is good:”

     This is an invitation to put the Lord to the test and discover for ourselves the result of trusting God. We have to make a trial, an inward, experimental trial of the goodness of God. You cannot see except by tasting for yourself; but if you taste you shall see.  

     The word “O taste”, the sumptuous feast is ready, will you taste it for yourselves? (Isaiah 55:1). Mere hearing about the feast will do nothing at all instead of tasting it (I Peter 2:3 “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”). Instead of brooding over theoretical objections, “come and see” as Philip said in answer to Nathaniel’s objection (John 1:46 “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”). On tasting and seeing you will experience how “good” the Lord is. 

     Then is half of the verse Psalm 34:8b “blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” So, faith is the soul’s taste; they who test the Lord by their confidence always find that God is good, and they become themselves blessed. 

     Psalm 34:9-10 “O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. ¹⁰ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”

     These verses are beautiful representations of the fulness, suitableness, completeness, and all sufficiency of God in Christ to answer all the wants of His children. A life of faith (v.8) will find food in everything, because it is all founded in Christ. Whereas the young lions may, and will lack, because nothing will supply their voracious appetites but that which is carnal.

     So, is no want or lack to those who trust God. Those believers who wholeheartedly trust God can say with David as he did in Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” That is the complete life for those who trusted God.

Psalm 34:8b “blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

     Again, as we have said the word “blessed” speaks of an intense happy person because that person trusts God.

To taste and see that the Lord is good, we must trust God and seek Him as our sole source of protection and provision. The only way to genuinely taste and see that the Lord is good is to put the matter to the test, to try and experience His goodness for ourselves. When we trusted God, we are blessed and contented because we taste the goodness of God.

     Paul told Timothy to charge those who are rich not to be high minded but trusts living God (I Timothy 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”