Psalms 34:1-22
The Spirit uses a sorrowful incident in David’s history so as to move him to the words of this psalm, and so as to show us that all the circumstances of life, including the most humiliating, can lead us in the end to give thanks to God. Let us imitate "this poor man"; let us learn like him to magnify the name of our God always and everywhere.
In v. 11, it is as if the Lord would gather us tenderly about Himself: "Come, ye children, hearken unto me . . .". There is a word of encouragement for each one. He reassures the one who is in danger by vv. 7, 15, 17 (see Isaiah 63:9). Is another concerned by material needs? He answers his care by vv. 9, 10. Is someone else passing through mourning or a time of trial? He shows him where to find consolation (v. 18). His desire is to give us confidence in His Father, so that we may be able to praise Him with Himself (v. 3). "Taste", He invites us, "and see that the LORD is good" (cf. 1 Peter 2:3). But the Lord also knows that we need His exhortation: "Keep thy tongue from evil . . . Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it" (vv. 13, 14; see 1 Peter 3:10-12). Peter does not complete the quotation of v. 16, for today is the day of grace. The judgment pronounced at the end of the psalm is yet to come.