"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
— Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
This powerful verse invites us to do more than just believe in God from a distance. It calls us to experience Him for ourselves. Just like tasting a delicious meal or feeling the warmth of the sun, God wants us to know Him personally. Psalm 34:8 is not a theory—it’s an invitation to experience the goodness of the Lord in real life.
What Does It Mean to “Taste and See”?
A Personal Invitation
The phrase "taste and see" is rich in meaning. It’s not about physical tasting or sight, but about spiritual experience. Just as you can't truly know how sweet honey is until you taste it, you can't fully understand how good God is until you seek Him personally.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
— Psalm 119:103 (NIV)
“The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold... they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.”
— Psalm 19:9–10 (NIV)
How Do We Taste and See?
The goodness of God is not hidden. It is revealed in many ways, and anyone can experience it by turning to Him.
1. Through Prayer
Talking to God opens your heart to His peace and presence.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
— Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
— Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
2. Through His Word
The Bible is full of God’s promises and truth that change hearts and lives.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
3. Through Worship
When we sing, give thanks, and praise Him, we shift our focus from our problems to His power.
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.”
— Psalm 95:1 (NIV)
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
— Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
4. Through Trust
Trusting God even when life is hard allows us to see His goodness in action.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
— Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
— Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
What Does “The Lord Is Good” Mean?
God’s goodness is not based on our circumstances. It’s part of His unchanging character.
“The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
— Psalm 145:9 (NIV)
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
— Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
“The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”
— Psalm 145:17 (NIV)
| Evidence of God’s Goodness | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Grace | We get forgiveness we don’t deserve |
| Mercy | He withholds judgment we do deserve |
| Provision | He provides for our needs daily |
| Protection | He shields us from harm |
| Presence | He is always with us in every season |
A Real-Life Example
Consider someone going through grief. Even in sorrow, they find strength through Scripture, peace during prayer, and comfort from Christian friends. That’s “tasting and seeing.” It’s not just reading about God's goodness—it’s experiencing it in pain, joy, or waiting.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
— Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
— Psalm 34:17 (NIV)
“Blessed is the One Who Takes Refuge in Him”
The second part of Psalm 34:8 highlights a promise: those who trust in God are blessed.
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
— Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
— Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”
— Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
Key Takeaways
- You won’t know God's goodness until you seek Him yourself.
- God is not distant—He invites you to experience Him daily.
- His Word, presence, and love are real and life-changing.
- Anyone who trusts in Him will be blessed.
Supporting Bible Verses
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| Psalm 34:8 | "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" |
| Psalm 119:103 | "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" |
| Psalm 19:10 | "They are more precious than gold... sweeter than honey from the honeycomb." |
| Jeremiah 33:3 | "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." |
| Psalm 145:18 | "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." |
| 2 Timothy 3:16 | "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching..." |
| Psalm 100:4 | "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise..." |
| Isaiah 26:3 | "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast..." |
| Psalm 145:9 | "The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." |
| Psalm 107:1 | "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." |
| Psalm 145:17 | "The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does." |
| Psalm 23:4 | "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil..." |
| Psalm 34:17 | "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them..." |
| Proverbs 18:10 | "The name of the LORD is a fortified tower..." |
| Psalm 91:1 | "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High..." |
| Jeremiah 17:7 | "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD..." |
