Psalm 34 11

Psalm 34:11 kjv

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalm 34:11 nkjv

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalm 34:11 niv

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalm 34:11 esv

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalm 34:11 nlt

Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the LORD.

Psalm 34 verses

Psalm 34 11 Meaning

Psalm 34:11 serves as an earnest invitation from the psalmist, often identified as King David, to those receptive to spiritual guidance. He beckons his listeners, metaphorically referred to as "children" or disciples, to attend closely to his words. The purpose of this solemn summons is for him to impart crucial wisdom: the transformative and life-giving concept of the fear of the Lord. This "fear" is not terror but a profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God, foundational for true wisdom and blessed living.

Psalm 34 11 Context

Psalm 34 is attributed to David, penned after his perilous encounter with Achish (referred to as Abimelech in the superscription), king of Gath, as described in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. Having feigned madness to escape danger, David, now safe, offers a profound psalm of thanksgiving and praise. The preceding verses (1-10) are a powerful testimony to God's faithfulness, providence, and deliverance for those who seek Him and trust Him. David, speaking from direct experience of God's saving power, transitions from recounting his personal deliverance to assuming the role of a spiritual instructor. He invites others to learn from his firsthand knowledge of God's goodness. Verse 11 acts as a pivotal moment, shifting from autobiographical testimony to didactic instruction, drawing a general principle from a specific personal experience.

Psalm 34 11 Word analysis

• Come (בּוֹאוּ, bo'u): This is an imperative verb, signifying an urgent, earnest invitation. It’s a call not merely to approach physically but to actively participate and engage. It suggests entering into a learning relationship.

• you children (בָּנִים, banim): This term, while literally meaning "sons" or "children," is used metaphorically here to refer to disciples, pupils, or those who are spiritually young and receptive to instruction from a paternal or authoritative figure. It denotes a humble and teachable disposition, similar to how a father instructs his offspring.

• listen (שִׁמְעוּ, shim'u): Another imperative, this verb implies much more than just hearing sounds. In Hebrew thought, shema involves active listening that leads to understanding, comprehension, and crucially, obedience. It's a call to heed, internalize, and respond to the teaching.

• to me (לִי, li): This direct address emphasizes the speaker's personal authority and lived experience. David speaks from a position of authenticity, having personally witnessed God's deliverance and goodness, thus making his instruction particularly weighty.

• I will teach (אוֹרֶה, oreh): This verb comes from the root יָרָה (yarah), meaning "to cast," "to shoot," or "to instruct." It implies clear, precise, and purposeful guidance, similar to an arrow finding its mark. This is authoritative teaching, distinct from casual suggestion, designed to impart profound truth. The same root gives us Torah (instruction, law).

• you (אֶתְכֶם, et-khem): A simple direct object, clearly indicating the specific recipients of this vital instruction.

• the fear of the Lord (יִרְאַת יְהוָה, yir'at YHVH): This is the core subject of the teaching. "Fear" (יִרְאַת, yir'at) is not primarily servile dread or terror, but rather a profound awe, reverence, respect, and deep reverence for God's holiness, power, and character. It is an understanding that leads to worshipful submission, careful obedience to His commandments, and hatred of evil (Prov 8:13). "The Lord" (יְהוָה, YHVH) refers to the covenant God of Israel, the self-existent and personal Creator and Redeemer. This fear is a foundational spiritual principle, equated with the beginning of knowledge and wisdom throughout Scripture.

• Words-group Analysis

• "Come, you children, listen to me": This phrase functions as a pastoral invitation. It highlights David's transformed role from a beneficiary of divine aid to a purveyor of divine wisdom. The urgency and directness ("Come," "listen") indicate the profound importance of the instruction, while "children" suggests the readiness of a disciple to receive guidance from a trusted spiritual elder. It's a call to form a community of learning around the truth of God.

• "I will teach you the fear of the Lord": This segment clearly states the specific curriculum of David's instruction. It implies that true wisdom and a blessed life are not gained through human ingenuity or strength, but through a reverential and obedient relationship with the sovereign God. This "fear" is not an emotional state of terror but a comprehensive disposition that impacts one's thoughts, words, and actions, leading to moral purity, wisdom, and genuine peace.

Psalm 34 11 Bonus section

The didactic tone of Psalm 34:11 is common among wisdom literature in the Bible, especially in Proverbs where a father often instructs his son. This verse underscores the responsibility of those who have experienced God's grace to pass on spiritual truths. It also highlights a key aspect of ancient Israelite society: the passing down of core covenant truths from one generation to the next, fostering spiritual formation within the community. The "fear of the Lord" served as a counter-cultural concept to the capricious and often terrifying deities of surrounding pagan nations, promoting a loving yet awe-filled relationship with the one true, just, and good God. This invitation is therefore a call to choose a path of wisdom and life that sets the listener apart in a world steeped in ignorance of God.

Psalm 34 11 Commentary

Psalm 34:11 marks a significant turn in David's psalm, shifting from personal testimony to universal wisdom. Having experienced the delivering hand of God in a moment of extreme vulnerability, David is compelled to share the profound lessons he learned. He positions himself as a wise mentor, inviting "children" – receptive learners of any age – to gather and internalize the most vital lesson for human flourishing: the fear of the Lord. This teaching is not merely intellectual; it's experiential wisdom, rooted in the psalmist's own life. The "fear of the Lord" is presented as the supreme knowledge, fostering a lifestyle of reverence, moral rectitude, and obedience that springs from a deep respect for God's nature and commands. It encapsulates true worship, guarding one from evil, granting wisdom, and leading to security and abundance in life. It’s a call to a filial relationship of respect and devotion, which brings the believer into alignment with God’s will and ensures divine blessing and protection.