Psalm 34:8-10
NL337

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O tasteA and seeB that the LordC is good;D

Notes on verse 8a

A “taste” = taam. 11x in OT. This is to taste, sense, or figuratively to perceive.
B “see” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
C “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
D “good” = tob. From tob (to be pleasing, to be good). This is good, beautiful, pleasant, agreeable, bountiful, at ease. This word is used for goodness as a concept, a good thing, a good person. This can refer to prosperity and welfare as well as joy, kindness, sweetness, and graciousness. So, this is ethically good, but also enjoyably good.

    happyE are thoseF who take refugeG in him.

Notes on verse 8b

E “happy” = esher. From ashar (to go straight, lead, guide; to be level and so to be right, blessed, honest, happy). This is happy or blessedness.
F “those” = geber. From gabar (to be strong or mighty; to prevail or to be insolent) This is man, warrior, a person generally, or a valiant person.
G “take refuge” = chasah. This is to take refuge or flee for protection. Figuratively, it means to hope or trust in someone or something.

O fearH the Lord, you his holy ones,I
    for those who fearJ him have noK want.L

Notes on verse 9

H “fear” = yare. This is to fear, be afraid, dreadful. It can also refer to fearful reverence – to fear in a moral sense is to say to revere, respect.
I “holy ones” = qadosh. From qodesh (set apart and so sacred; God is different from us and so God is holy/set apart; things we dedicate to God’s service are set apart for God and so they, too, are holy); related to qadash (set apart, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified; something or someone set apart for a holy purpose or use – ceremonially or morally clean). This is sacred or holy in a ritual or moral sense. As a noun, it refers to a holy one (like a saint or angel), a holy place (the sanctuary), or God (the Holy One).
J “fear” = yare. Related to “fear” in v9. From the same as yare (see note H above). This is afraid, fearful, or reverent.
K “no” = ayin. Perhaps from a word that means to be nothing. This means nothing, none, non-existent. It can also simply mean not or are not.
L “want” = machsor. 13x in OT. From chaser (to lack, need, become empty, to fail). Related to “I shall not want” from Psalm 23:1. This is something needed so it could be lack, poverty, or deficiency.

10 The young lionsM suffer wantN and hunger,O
    but those who seekP the Lord lackQ noR good thing.

Notes on verse 10

M “young lions” = kephir. Perhaps from kaphar (to appease, cover, pacify, cancel). This is a young lion – maybe in the sense that it has a mane covering.
N “suffer want” = rush. This is in want, lack, poor, needy.
O “hunger” = raeb. 17x in OT. This is to be hungry or famished.
P “seek” = darash. This is seek, ask, inquire, care for. Generally it means following in pursuit or following as part of a search, which implies seeking or asking. Also used specially to mean worship.
Q “lack” = chaser. Related to “want” in v9. See note L above.
R {untranslated} = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.


Image credit: “A Very Happy Bear” by ucumari, 2016.