Taste and See That the LORD Is Good
(1 Samuel 21:8–15)

Of David (beloved), when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech (Achish),a so that the king drove him away.b

1 I will bless the LORD {YHWH} at all times;

His praise will always be on my lips.

2My soul boasts in the LORD {YHWH};

let the oppressed hear and rejoice.

3Magnify the LORD {YHWH} with me;

let us exalt His name together.

4I sought the LORD {YHWH}, and He answered me;

He delivered me from all my fears.

5Those who look to Him are radiant with joy;

their faces shall never be ashamed.

6This poor man called out, and the LORD {YHWH} heard him;

He saved him from all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD {YHWH} encamps around those who fear Him,

and he delivers them.

8Taste and see that the LORD {YHWH} is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

9Fear the LORD {YHWH}, you His saints,

for those who fear Him lack nothing.

10Young lions go lacking and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD {YHWH} lack no good thing.

11Come, children, listen to me;

I will teach you⁺ the fear of the LORD {YHWH}.

12Who is the man who delights in life,

who desires to see good days?

13Keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from deceitful speech.

14Turn away from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

15The eyes of the LORD {YHWH} are on the righteous,

and His ears are inclined to their cry [to their prayer].c

16But the face of the LORD {YHWH} is against those who do evil <1Pe 3:10–12>,d

to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry out, and the LORD {YHWH} hears;

He delivers them from all their troubles.

18The LORD {YHWH} is near to the brokenhearted;

He saves the contrite in spirit {ruach}.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the LORD {YHWH} delivers him from them all.

20He protects all his bones;

not one of them will be broken <Jhn 19:36>.e

21Evil will slay the wicked,

and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.

22The LORD {YHWH} redeems His servants,

and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.