The Nugget:
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (KJV)
Psa 34:8 How gracious the Lord is! Taste and prove it; blessed is the man that learns to trust in him. (Knox translation)
Psa 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who hopes in him. (LXX., Brenton translation)
Psa 34:8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good; blessed is the man seeking refuge in Him. (LITV, Literal translation of the Holy Bible)
Psa 34:8 Find out for yourself how good the LORD is. Happy are those who find safety with him. (GNB, Good News Bible)
Psa 34:8 By experience you will see that the Lord is good; happy is the man who has faith in him. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)
Psa 34:8 Give the LORD a chance to show you how good he is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on him! (ERV, Easy to Read Version)
Psa 34:8 Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
A careful study of Psalm 34:8 by means of the cross references given below which are taken and expanded from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury should teach anyone who seriously reads what I write here much about Bible doctrine and apologetics. Don’t let that strange big word “apologetics” scare you away. There are many truths taught in the Bible that many Sunday school teachers and church pastors do not cover in their teaching and preaching. But they are most important to learn if we are to obey Jude 1:3 and 1 Peter 3:15.
In terms of theology, this verse (Psalm 34:8) teaches us that God is good. Goodness is one of the attributes of God. An attribute is a description of His character.
In terms of experience, we are invited to experience God. We get to know God better as we read and study His written word in the Bible.
In terms of apologetics, Psalm 34:8 is quoted by Peter and applied to our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter, therefore, in 1 Peter 2:3, applies the name Jehovah used here in Psalm 34:8 to Jesus. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower society make much of the name of God, Jehovah. When the New Testament quotes an Old Testament statement that in Hebrew contains the name Jehovah, their New World Translation faithfully represents that name in their New Testament translation every time that happens, EXCEPT at 1 Peter 2:3. They avoid using the name Jehovah at 1 Peter 2:3 most likely because that would be contrary to their doctrine that Jesus is not divine. They deny the doctrine of the Deity of Christ. They deny the doctrine of the Trinity. They deny the doctrine of the personality or personhood of the Holy Spirit and teach the holy spirit is the non-personal power of God. In both The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury I have discussed this at length. I have included a list at 1 Peter 2:3 of 19 passages in the New Testament which apply to Jesus what is said of Jehovah in the Old Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures. Therefore, on these matters, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their New World Translation of the Bible are clearly proven wrong.
Psalms 34:8
taste. “Spiritual experience must precede spiritual knowledge” (St. Bernard, cited by Delitzsch, cited by Kay). Psa 23:5; Psa 63:5; Psa 66:16; +*Psa 119:103, 1Sa 14:24; 1Sa 14:29, 2Sa 17:29, Job 12:11, *Song 2:3; Song 5:1, Eze 34:14, John 1:38, 39; John 1:46, *Rom 12:2, Heb 5:13, 14; *Heb 6:4; *Heb 6:5, *1Pe 2:2; +>1Pe 2:3 note. *1Jn 1:1, 2, 3.
see. FS171J15, +Gen 42:1. Verbs expressing the operation of one sense are in Hebrew often put for those of another: here, taste and see. 1Sa 14:29.
the Lord is good. Psa 36:7; Psa 36:10; Psa 52:1; Psa 68:10; Psa 73:1; *Psa 86:5; Psa 107:1; +*Psa 119:68, Psa 136:1; Psa 145:7; +**Psa 145:9, +*Exo 34:6, Num 10:29, *Jer 31:14, *Zec 9:17, +Luk 6:35, **1Co 2:8; **1Co 12:3, Eph 4:8, *1Jn 4:7, 8, 9, 10.
blessed. FS43, +Deut 28:3. +*Psa 1:1; Psa 2:12, Psa 40:4, Deut 33:29, +*Isa 30:18, +Mat 5:3, Jam 1:12.
the man. Heb Geber. +Gen 6:4 (mighty men), Eph 1:18.
that trusteth. *Psa 2:12; Psa 25:2; Psa 26:1; Psa 32:10; Psa 40:4; *Ps 56:4; *Psa 84:12, Pro 16:20, +Isa 26:3, Jer 17:7, Dan 3:28, 2Co 1:9, Jam 1:19, Rev 22:17.