Taste and See His Goodness Today ... Unpacking the Message of Psalm 34:8
- Anthony Speciale
- Jul 30
- 9 min read
Greetings,
Taste and See His Goodness Today
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." — Psalm 34:8
Unpacking the Message of Psalm 34:8
Psalm 34:8 is a tender yet profound invitation into a personal encounter with the goodness of God. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” This verse isn’t calling us to an abstract or intellectual understanding of God’s nature; it’s calling us to experience Him in a real, tangible way. “Taste” and “see” are physical verbs, sensory words that demand interaction, not mere observation. It’s as though David is saying, “Don’t just take my word for it — come and experience it for yourself.”
The word “taste” in this verse encourages us to step into faith and to engage with God in the reality of our everyday lives. When we taste something, we commit to it. It goes past the surface and becomes part of us. In the same way, when we truly encounter the goodness of God, it affects our inner life, our decisions, our priorities, and our affections. You can hear about God’s love, read about His faithfulness, or even witness His power in someone else’s life, but until you take that step to personally trust Him, to place your confidence in Him in your own moment of need, you haven’t really “tasted.”
The second part of the verse says, “blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” This implies there is shelter available, a covering that God provides to those who seek Him. Refuge is not needed when the skies are clear and the winds are calm; refuge is for storms, for battle, for hardship. David knew this intimately, having faced fear, betrayal, danger, and enemies. In all those moments, he repeatedly took refuge in God. He ran toward, not away, from the presence of the Lord. And he found safety there. He found peace in the chaos. He found stability when all else shook.
What’s beautiful here is the order: taste and see that the Lord is good — and then the blessing comes in taking refuge in Him. The more we taste of God’s goodness, the more inclined we are to trust Him when things go sideways. Because we’ve already encountered His character. Because we’ve already seen that He doesn’t fail, doesn’t abandon, doesn’t turn away.
This verse is also deeply relevant in a world full of noise, anxiety, and counterfeit satisfactions. Our culture offers us a buffet of distractions — entertainment, ambition, achievement, possessions — and they all promise happiness, identity, fulfillment. But none of them can deliver what God can. Many people live their lives nibbling at the empty things of the world and wonder why their soul is still hungry. Psalm 34:8 gives us the answer: it’s only in tasting the goodness of God that our hunger is truly satisfied.
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There’s also a deep humility in this verse. To taste means to come as a child, to come willing. It’s not the posture of someone who demands evidence first; it’s the posture of someone who accepts the invitation. It’s very similar to how Jesus taught — asking people to come, to follow, to abide. Faith doesn’t grow in theory. It grows in relationship.
There’s another layer here: this isn’t just about God's goodness when life feels good. This Psalm was written when David was pretending to be insane in the presence of Abimelek — a deeply humiliating and dangerous moment in his life. Yet in the midst of distress, uncertainty, and fear, he was still able to declare the goodness of God. This teaches us that God’s goodness is not defined by our circumstances, but rather, His goodness defines how we endure our circumstances. Even in the midst of suffering, His goodness can be experienced. In fact, sometimes it’s in the hardship that His goodness becomes most clear.
The verse is also communal in its implication. “Taste and see” isn’t only for the individual; it becomes an invitation we extend to others. When we’ve truly tasted God’s goodness, we become compelled to share it. We begin to live as witnesses — not because we have all the answers, but because we’ve been nourished by grace. And others notice. They see the peace that anchors us, the joy that sustains us, the trust that governs us — and they begin to hunger for the same.
Ultimately, this verse invites us to move beyond performance-based religion into a real, nourishing, daily relationship with God. To stop just reading about Him or going through the motions, and instead to genuinely draw near. To be fed by His presence, to be safe in His arms, to be satisfied in His truth.
The question this verse leaves us with is simple, but searching: Have you truly tasted the goodness of the Lord? And if so, what does that mean for how you live, trust, and love today? God’s invitation is open. The table is set. The blessing is waiting. Taste and see.
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This verse is often cited in discussions about financial planning and legacy, it's important to remember that the Bible also emphasizes the importance of giving to those in need and being content with what one has, rather than accumulating wealth for its own sake.
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Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
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Here is our 7-day weekly journaling and prayer plan based on Psalm 34:8 —
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
This guide is designed to help you slow down, reflect deeply, and experience God’s goodness more intimately each day.
Day 1: What Does It Mean to Taste?
Journal Prompt: What does “taste” mean to you in the context of your relationship with God? Think of moments where you didn’t just know about His goodness but personally experienced it.
Prayer Focus: Ask God to give you a hunger for more of Him. Invite Him to reveal His goodness to you in fresh, personal ways this week.
Day 2: Seeing the Lord’s Goodness
Journal Prompt: Write about a specific time when God’s goodness was undeniable in your life. What happened, and how did it change your view of Him?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for that experience. Ask Him to open your eyes again — to “see” what He’s doing in your present circumstances.
Day 3: Refuge in the Lord
Journal Prompt: Where do you run when you feel overwhelmed, afraid, or weary? Is it truly the Lord — or something else?
Prayer Focus: Surrender any false refuges (comforts, distractions, or habits) you’ve been leaning on. Declare your trust in Him alone.
Day 4: Blessed is the One
Journal Prompt: What does “blessed” mean to you? Reflect on how taking refuge in God brings peace, identity, and strength — even if your situation doesn’t change.
Prayer Focus: Ask the Lord to deepen your understanding of what it means to be blessed by Him, regardless of outward success or ease.
Day 5: Experiencing God Daily
Journal Prompt: How can you intentionally “taste and see” God’s goodness in your ordinary routine — in your relationships, work, or quiet time?
Prayer Focus: Pray for an increased sensitivity to God's presence in everyday life. Ask for joy in simple things that reflect His heart.
Day 6: The Battle Against Fretfulness
Journal Prompt: Are there areas where anxiety or comparison steal your joy and distract you from God’s goodness? How can you redirect your focus?
Prayer Focus: Release any burdens or fears to the Lord. Ask for His peace to guard your heart and mind as you take refuge in Him.
Day 7: Living a Life That Reflects His Goodness
Journal Prompt: How might your life invite others to “taste and see” that the Lord is good? What kind of witness are you offering through your words and actions?
Prayer Focus: Pray that your life would be a living testimony of God’s goodness — not just for your own joy, but for the encouragement of others.
Closing thoughts as we pray for those reading or hearing this verse today...
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Taste and See His Goodness Today
There is an open invitation waiting for you today—an invitation to experience the unfailing goodness of our Lord firsthand:
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." — Psalm 34:8
This isn’t just a poetic verse—it’s a personal call to trust Him more deeply.
When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, when fear tries to shake your peace, remember that the Lord is good. He is your refuge, your shelter, your steady rock.
You don’t have to carry it all. You don’t have to understand it all. Just come. Draw near. Take refuge in Him—and watch His goodness unfold in ways beyond your imagination.
Trust Him today. Taste. See. Be blessed.
In His peace and goodness 🙏🏻
Be Relentless In Pursuit Of The Will
Which God Has Set Upon Your Life,
❤️ Anthony and Anna Speciale
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