Westminster Chapel logo
David preaching to congregation

Sermons

Taste and See that the Lord is Good

Date: August 25th, 2013
Speaker: David Robinson
Scripture: Psalms 34

Description

We are called to cry out to God, see that He is good and taste His goodness.

Scripture: Psalm 34

Sermon Notes:

  1. This Psalm testifies to the goodness of God and instructs us in the fear of the Lord.
  2. David wrote this Psalm after he had feigned insanity to escape the Philistines; men who were distressed gathered around David in the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 21:10-22:2).
  3. In this Psalm David highlights the Lord’s help for those distressed, in debt and in bitterness of soul.
  4. As we testify about the goodness of the Lord, we grow in fear the Lord.  As we practice the fear of the Lord, we increasingly experience the goodness of God.
  5. God delivers, provides for, and helps those who fear Him.
  6. We are called to cry out to God, see that He is good and taste His goodness. 
  7. Those who take refuge in the Lord need not fear anything else (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 27).
  8. The fear of the Lord is a reverent, obedient adoration for God.  It is not primarily terror; yet for sinful humanity there is an element of appropriate trembling before a holy God.
  9. The fear of the Lord brings long life and God’s blessing.  It is not pessimistic (v12).
  10. The fear of the Lord should characterize our speech (v13). We are to love our neighbour, speaking truthfully. 
  11. If you are distressed, you are often tempted to slander or lie about others, but those who fear the Lord keep their tongues from evil.
  12. Those who fear God are characterized by repentance, which involves actively pursuing peace. 
  13. We are to positively seek good, rejoicing in the truth; we are to speak words of blessing, building up those around us (Eph. 4:29,31).
  14. Shalom in Hebrew refers to the wholeness of God’s goodness and blessing upon His people.
  15. We are not to hide in the cave; we are to seek the welfare of the city, of God’s people; we are to pursue shalom.
  16. God cares for us in a way that is personal and intimate. 
  17. We look to God for help because we know His eyes and ears are turned toward us watching over us continually.
  18. Though we face afflictions, God saves us from them all.
  19. Psalm 34 looks forward to the goodness of God poured out in the cross where Jesus died in our place (Jn. 19:36).
  20. The Lord redeems the life of His servants, granting them eternal life.  None who take refuge in God will be condemned. 

Application Questions:

  1. What does it mean for the believer to “fear the Lord?”
  2. How does the unbeliever’s “fear” of God differ from the believers’?
  3. What is the relationship between fearing God and tasting the goodness of God?
  4. What are some ways God watches over you, hears your cry, provides for you, and delivers you?
  5. What applications does Peter draw from Psalm 34? See 1 Peter 2:1; 3:8-12.
  6. How is the cross of Christ the basis of establishing God’s peace?
  7. What can we do this week to pursue God’s peace for the world around us?

Back to sermons