"O taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8). "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting" (Psalm 100:5). "The LORD is good to all" (Psalm 145:9). "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble" (Nahum 1:7). "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17).
Is God good? Scripture answers with a steady refrain: the LORD is good. These twelve King James passages declare God's goodness as His character, His kindness that leads to repentance, and His gifts that come from above. This is not a gratitude list or a Thanksgiving roundup; for thanking God for gifts received, see gratitude and thanksgiving.
The LORD is good
1. Psalms 34:8
"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."
Taste and see: goodness is not only a doctrine to affirm but a reality to experience. The invitation is personal and sensory in its urgency.
2. Psalms 100:5
"For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."
The LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; his truth endures. Goodness, mercy, and faithfulness are woven together forever.
3. Psalms 145:9
"The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. Common grace shows His goodness even beyond the church.
4. Nahum 1:7
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."
Goodness and strength meet: the LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and He knows them that trust in Him.
Goodness that saves and sustains
5. Romans 2:4
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Kindness is meant to soften, not to be presumed upon.
6. Psalms 86:5
"For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy. Goodness shows up as readiness to forgive.
7. Exodus 34:6
"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"
The LORD passed by before Moses and proclaimed His name: merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Goodness is who He is.
8. Lamentations 3:22-23
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed; his compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Goodness renews with the dawn.
Every good gift from Him
9. James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights. Trace every true good back to Him.
10. Psalms 119:68
"Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes."
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. God's goodness includes doing good and teaching what is good.
11. Mark 10:18
"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."
Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Absolute goodness belongs to God alone; Jesus presses the question toward His own identity.
12. Psalms 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. The Shepherd's goodness pursues His sheep to the house of the LORD.
A short prayer
Lord, You are good, and You do good. Open my eyes to taste and see Your goodness today. Let Your kindness lead me to repentance, and let every good gift turn my heart to praise. Follow me with goodness and mercy all my days. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about the goodness of God?
Scripture declares that the LORD is good (Psalm 34:8; 100:5; 145:9), abundant in goodness (Exodus 34:6), and the source of every good gift (James 1:17). His goodness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).
If God is good, why is there suffering?
The Bible holds both: God is good, and a fallen world contains trouble. Nahum 1:7 calls Him a stronghold in the day of trouble; His goodness does not erase hardship, but it means hardship is not the last word.
How can I experience God's goodness?
Psalm 34:8 invites you to taste and see: trust Him, receive His forgiveness (Psalm 86:5), and notice His daily mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Is calling God good just a slogan?
No. It is rooted in God's self-revelation (Exodus 34:6) and repeated throughout the Psalms. Saying it in hard times is faith rehearsing truth.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about the faithfulness of God · Bible verses about gratitude · Bible verses about Thanksgiving · Bible verses about hope · Bible verses about trusting God
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