Day 68

Psalm 34 part 2

Christianity is not a wish, but a life, it is not an idea but a character trait. David’s protection was real but invisible. He could not see the angelic presence around him(v7), but it was real. Many times in the OT, the angel of the LORD is an actual material appearance of Yahweh Himself (e.g. Judges13.) We don’t know if David meant that this was an angelic being sent by God to ‘camp around him,’ or whether God Himself presented Himself. Both are true.

This is one passage that gives support to the thought of a guardian angel for everyone, or perhaps at least for believers. One can’t say that this passage proves the idea, but it is consistent with it. C.f. Heb1:14, & 13:2. Guardian Angels were divine agents of God sent to protect and aid humans on earth in times of need (e.g. Dan 6:22). They are mentioned throughout the Bible, coming to the support of God’s people. In Genesis 18-19, angels not only acted as the executors of God’s wrath against the cities of the plain, but they delivered Lot from danger. In Exodus 32:34, God said to Moses: “my angel shall go before you.” C.f. Psalm 91:11

After telling of his own experience, David challenged the reader (or singer) of this Psalm, to experience God’s goodness for themselves. It could only come through a personal encounter, in some ways similar to a taste & see (v8.)

Both Hebrews 6:5 and 1 Peter 2:3 use this verse to describe the first venture into faith and to urge that the tasting should be more than a casual sampling. There are some things, especially in the depths of the religious life, which can only be understood by being experienced, and which even then are incapable of being adequately embodied in words.  David thought to fear (v9) the LORD was much like trusting Him and experiencing His goodness. This fear is the proper reverence and respect that man has for Deity. If you really experience God’s goodness, if you really experience the blessedness of trusting Him, you will also have an appropriate fear of the LORD.