Joseph James Rigney, Shane Barnard
A contemplative, Scripture-saturated communion song that unfolds Psalm 34 with remarkable fidelity and pastoral warmth. The slow tempo and meditative tone create space for theological reflection while maintaining congregational accessibility. Strongest at the Table or in extended worship, though the pacing may feel too slow for some contexts.
Five lenses
This song is Psalm 34 set to music, maintaining the psalm's structure, vocabulary, and theology with minimal elaboration. The opening declaration 'I will bless the Lord at all times' draws directly from Psalm 34:1. The invitation to 'taste and see that the Lord is good' (Psalm 34:8) functions as both refrain and theological anchor. The song preserves the psalmist's movement from personal testimony to corporate invitation, his acknowledgment of affliction paired with divine deliverance, and the climactic call to refuge in God.
The song is theologically transparent, teaching the congregation to bless God continually, seek Him in distress, and find refuge in His proven goodness. The lyric models covenant language: personal testimony leads to corporate worship, individual deliverance becomes collective confidence. The invitation to 'taste and see' is both experiential and declarative, calling worshipers to test God's goodness for themselves. The song affirms God's attentiveness to the afflicted, His reliability in answering prayer, and the safety found in taking refuge in Him.
The melody sits comfortably within the typical congregational range (A3-D5), with no challenging leaps or rhythmic complexity. The slow tempo allows every word to be enunciated clearly, which serves the Scripture-teaching function but demands stamina and focus. Vocally accessible, but the pacing requires patience and may lose momentum if the congregation is not prepared for extended meditation.
The song's poetic strength lies in its restraint. By adhering closely to the psalm's language, the lyric preserves the dignity and simplicity of the biblical text. Imagery is borrowed directly from Scripture: tasting goodness, being delivered from fear, shining faces. The repetition of 'taste and see' functions as liturgical refrain rather than pop chorus, grounding the song in participatory worship. The voice is consistently first-person singular shifting to inclusive invitation, matching the psalm's pedagogical intent.
This song is easily defended as Scripture in song form, with minimal adaptation or theological elaboration. Objections are most likely to focus on pacing and stylistic preference rather than content. The slow tempo and contemplative tone may not suit every worship context, but the song's fidelity to Psalm 34 and its pedagogical clarity make it pastorally valuable, especially for communion or extended worship.
Full analysis
This song is a direct musical rendering of Psalm 34:1-8, setting the psalmist's testimony and invitation to a slow, meditative melody. The structure mirrors the psalm's movement from personal vow to corporate call: 'I will bless the Lord at all times' (verse 1) transitions into 'taste and see that the Lord is good' (verse 8). The slow tempo (57 BPM) and contemplative tone allow the Scripture to land with weight, making this an excellent tool for teaching congregations to sing the psalms and for creating reflective space in worship. The lyric preserves the psalm's vocabulary with minimal alteration, functioning more as Scripture-song than contemporary worship composition.
Theologically, the song teaches that personal experience of God's faithfulness becomes the basis for inviting others into trust. The psalmist's testimony of answered prayer, deliverance from fear, and God's attentiveness to the afflicted leads naturally to the declaration 'blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.' This is covenant theology at work: God's proven character in the life of the individual becomes the ground for corporate confidence. The invitation to 'taste and see' is experiential but not subjective in the modern sense. It is an invitation to test God's goodness through prayer and trust, rooted in the psalmist's prior testimony of divine deliverance.
Musically, the song is accessible but demands patience. The melody sits comfortably within congregational range, with no challenging leaps or rhythmic complexity. The slow tempo, however, requires breath control and sustained focus, which may challenge less experienced singers or congregations accustomed to faster-paced worship. The song is strongest in contexts that allow extended reflection: communion, prayer response, or as part of a set that includes both movement and stillness. It will not energize a room, but it will create space for meditation and internalization of Scripture.
Pastorally, this song equips worship leaders to teach the psalms as living prayer and to model the movement from personal testimony to corporate invitation. It is easily defended as Scripture in song, with minimal theological risk. The primary challenge is contextual: the slow pacing and contemplative tone may feel foreign to congregations shaped by contemporary worship's faster rhythms. Preparation and framing are key. Introduce the psalm's structure, explain the invitation to 'taste and see,' and give the congregation permission to slow down and let the words settle. Used well, this song deepens liturgical formation and trains congregations to find God in affliction, just as the psalmist did.
Defense brief
Who raises this: Worship planners concerned with service pacing, or congregations accustomed to upbeat, energetic worship.
Psalm 34 is a teaching psalm, meant to be pondered and internalized. The slow tempo allows the Scripture to sink in rather than rush past. Psalm 46:10 instructs, 'Be still, and know that I am God.'
Use this song in contexts that allow space for reflection: communion, prayer response, or as a bridge between sermon and response. Prepare the congregation with a brief explanation of the psalm's structure and invitation. The slowness is intentional, creating room for tasting rather than merely singing.
Who raises this: Theologically cautious leaders concerned about subjective or mystical overtones.
Psalm 34:8 invites experiential trust, but it is grounded in the psalmist's prior testimony of God's faithfulness. The invitation to taste follows the declaration 'I sought the Lord and He answered me.' The experience is tested against God's revealed character and covenant promises, not isolated subjective feeling.
When introducing the song, emphasize the psalm's structure: personal testimony of God's deliverance grounds the invitation to corporate trust. The 'tasting' is not mysticism but an invitation to test God's goodness through prayer, obedience, and reliance on His promises.
Scripture map
Primary foundations
Supporting connections
Story behind the song
This song was written by Shane Barnard (of Shane & Shane) and Joseph James Rigney, a senior fellow of theology and literature at New Saint Andrews College and a well-known voice in Reformed theological circles. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to Scripture-saturated worship and careful theological articulation.
Sovereign Grace Music and New Saint Andrews College affiliations
Released on the 2017 album 'Unto Us: A Christmas Collection' by Sovereign Grace Music, the song reflects the publisher's long-standing commitment to psalm-singing and theologically rich congregational worship. Though included on a Christmas album, the song is not seasonal and functions well in any liturgical context that invites meditation on God's faithfulness.
Album liner notes and Sovereign Grace Music catalog
The slow, contemplative setting reflects a growing movement within contemporary worship to reclaim the psalms as congregational song, prioritizing Scripture fidelity and liturgical depth over commercial appeal. The song has been used widely in Reformed and evangelical contexts for communion and extended worship.
Worship leader forums and liturgical music reviews
Themes
Sermon series fit
Audience fit
Maturity
All levels. The simplicity of the lyric is accessible to new believers, while the depth of the psalm rewards mature reflection.
Age group
Intergenerational. The slow tempo may challenge younger congregations but serves older or more liturgically formed communities well.
Service type
Best suited for traditional or blended services with space for extended meditation. May feel out of place in fast-paced contemporary settings.
Visitor-friendly
Moderate. The slow pacing and psalm-based structure may feel unfamiliar to unchurched visitors, but the lyric is clear and invitational.
Special contexts
Excellent for communion, prayer response, healing services, or any context inviting reflection on God's faithfulness in affliction.
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If this concerns you
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