King James Version

What Does Psalms 34:9 Mean?

Psalms 34:9 in the King James Version says “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”

Psalms 34:9 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

7

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9

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.

11

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Read Psalms 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. David issues experiential invitation—don't merely believe abstractly but taste personally and see directly that God is good. This connects propositional truth (LORD is good) with experiential verification (taste and see) and resulting blessing (trust brings blessedness).

O taste and see uses metaphor of sensory experience. Taste (ta'am) means to perceive flavor, experience directly. See (ra'ah) means to observe, perceive visually. Both are firsthand, personal, experiential. Cannot merely intellectually assent to God's goodness; must personally experience it. As food's goodness is proven by tasting, God's goodness is demonstrated by experience. This invitation presumes God is accessible, knowable, experiencable—not remote philosophical concept but living Person to be encountered.

That the LORD is good declares what will be discovered. Good (tov) means beneficial, pleasant, delightful, valuable. Not merely morally good (though He is) but experientially good—delightful to know, satisfying to soul, precious to heart. God Himself is the good being tasted—not His gifts only but His person. As Psalm 16:2 declares: My goodness extends not to You (I can't make You better), but to saints on earth (You make me good).

Blessed is the man that trusteth in him shifts from invitation to pronouncement. Blessed ('ashre) means happy, fortunate, enviable. Man (geber) emphasizes strong individual, highlighting that trusting God strengthens rather than weakens. Trusteth (chasah) means takes refuge in, flees to for safety. Pronouncement is categorical: trusting God brings blessedness—not might bring, not sometimes brings, but brings. This is reliable cause and effect grounded in God's character.

Peter quotes this in 1 Peter 2:2-3: As newborn babes, desire sincere milk of word, that you may grow thereby: if you have tasted that Lord is gracious. Tasting God's goodness creates appetite for more. Experiencing God's grace produces hunger for deeper intimacy. This experiential knowledge grounds assurance and fuels perseverance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Invitation to taste presumes covenant meal fellowship. Israel's worship included fellowship offerings where worshipers ate part of sacrifice in God's presence (Leviticus 7:11-21). This communal eating symbolized covenant relationship, peace with God, fellowship with Him and His people. Tasting LORD's goodness occurred literally in worship feasts and metaphorically in experiencing His covenant blessings.

Jesus continued this theme. He offered living water (John 4:10,14). He called Himself bread of life (John 6:35,48). He instituted Lord's Supper where believers taste and see His goodness through bread and wine representing His body and blood (Matthew 26:26-28). Hebrews 6:4-5 speaks of those enlightened who have tasted heavenly gift, tasted good word of God, tasted powers of age to come. Salvation is experiential encounter, not mere intellectual assent.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean practically to taste and see that LORD is good—how do you experience God personally?
  2. How does experiential knowledge of God's goodness differ from and enhance propositional beliefs about Him?
  3. In what ways have you tasted God's goodness that produced blessedness and strengthened trust?
  4. Why does David use sensory language (taste, see) rather than intellectual language (know, believe) in this invitation?
  5. How can you invite others to taste and see God's goodness through sharing your experiences of His faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
יְר֣אוּ1 of 8

“O fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת2 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 8

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

קְדֹשָׁ֑יו4 of 8

“ye his saints”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

כִּי5 of 8
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֥ין6 of 8
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַ֝חְס֗וֹר7 of 8

“for there is no want”

H4270

deficiency; hence, impoverishment

לִירֵאָֽיו׃8 of 8

“to them that fear”

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 34:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 34:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 8:32Philippians 4:19Psalms 23:1Luke 12:30-32Psalms 31:23Psalms 89:7

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