The Invitation of the Psalmist
W. Blood, M. A. Psalm 34:8-14 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.… The psalms are placed in the centre of the Bible, like the heart in the centre of the body. The heart is the seat of life. The psalms are the life of religion. Other parts of the Bible describe religion, but the psalms are religion itself. He who reads them sincerely cannot but be religious; and he who appropriates them to himself will find life, health and energy imparted to his whole spiritual being. I. As INVITATION. "O taste and see," etc. It is not see and taste. Before we taste a substance we generally look at it. But here, we must taste before we can see. There must be a relish for Divine things before we can see and enjoy God. That which we are to see is — "that the Lord is good." The Christian knows and feels this. He sees it in Nature, in his own frame, the structure of the body, its union with the soul. And in that soul itself, and, especially, its redemption by Christ. II. THE CHARACTER REFERRED TO — the man that "trusteth" in God. It is not knowledge, intellect, eloquence, believing, or even power to work miracles, or to show a martyr's zeal, but trust is that which is here spoken of. Confidence in God is meant. Even amongst men this has great power. What will even man do for another in whom he trusts? What will not that woman do for the man in whom she confides? III. THE BLESSING PROMISED. It is more the statement of a fact than a promise, for the man is blessed who trusts in God. By the very action upon his own mind and heart of the trust he places in God. It gives the soul a holy boldness, a sure peace. And not only is he blessed in himself, but he becomes a blessing to others. His light shines before men so that they, too, glorify God. (W. Blood, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. WEB: Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.