John Calvin Commentary Psalms 34:8

"Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him." — Psalms 34:8 (ASV)

Taste and see that Jehovah is good. In this verse, the Psalmist indirectly reproves people for their dullness in not perceiving the goodness of God, which ought to be more to them than a matter of simple knowledge. By the word taste, he at once shows that they are without taste; and at the same time, he assigns the reason for this to be that they devour the gifts of God without relishing them, or through a corrupted loathing, ungratefully conceal them.

Therefore, he calls upon them to stir up their senses and to bring a palate endowed with some capacity for tasting, so that God’s goodness may become known to them, or rather, be made manifest to them. The words literally rendered are, Taste and see, for the Lord is good; but the particle כי, ki, for, is taken exegetically.

David’s meaning, therefore, is that there is nothing on God's part to prevent the godly, to whom he particularly speaks here, from arriving at the knowledge of His goodness by actual experience. From this it follows that they also are infected with the common malady of dullness.

This doctrine is confirmed by the promise immediately added, Blessed is the man who trusteth in him; for God never disappoints the expectations of those who seek His favor. Our own unbelief is the only impediment that prevents Him from satisfying us largely and bountifully with an abundance of all good things.