‘Taste and see the goodness of the Lord’
Have you noticed that for a couple of Sundays we have had the same response to the Psalm – ‘Taste and see the goodness of the Lord’.
This is Psalm 34 and there is so much to take from this Psalm that it has been broken down into three parts and delivered to us over three Sundays. Each time the first stanza is the same.
I will bless the Lord at all times
His praise ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord
The lowly will hear me and be glad.
The first time we heard this two weeks ago the opening stanza was followed by a song of praise with the writer encouraging us to join him in praising and glorifying the name of the Lord for hearing prayers and providing comfort.
Last weekend the opening stanza was followed by an invitation to wisdom. We are encouraged to listen to the Lord and learn how we should act and the bounty that we will gain by seeking the Lord. ‘Revere the Lord, you his saints. They lack nothing, those who revere him.. those who seek the Lord lack no blessing…
This weekend we proclaim the final part of Psalm 34. Again, the response and first stanza are repeated from the last two weeks. Then we are reminded of the constant love of the Lord. “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save.” The Lord listens to the righteous and rescues them from trouble, delivering and protecting them in their need.
Having prayed the final part of Psalm 34 this weekend may we take the message of hope and love to continue to praise and glorify the Lord in our words and deeds.
Jane Kelly
