Psalm 34:9 kjv
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Psalm 34:9 nkjv
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
Psalm 34:9 niv
Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
Psalm 34:9 esv
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
Psalm 34:9 nlt
Fear the LORD, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
Psalm 34 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 10:12-13 | "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require... to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways..." | Fearing the LORD involves obedience to His ways. |
| Ps 23:1 | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." | Direct echo of "lack nothing" - complete provision. |
| Ps 37:3 | "Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness." | Trust in God leads to provision and security. |
| Ps 37:25 | "I have been young and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread." | God provides for the righteous, no lack of sustenance. |
| Ps 84:11 | "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." | God's comprehensive provision for the righteous. |
| Ps 111:10 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments." | Fearing God is the foundation of wisdom. |
| Prov 1:7 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." | Fear of God as the starting point for knowledge. |
| Prov 14:26-27 | "In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence... A fountain of life..." | Fear of God brings security and life-giving benefits. |
| Prov 19:23 | "The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil." | Fear of God results in life, contentment, and protection. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." | Prioritizing God leads to all necessities being supplied. |
| Luke 12:22-31 | "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat... For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things." | God knows and provides for our needs; worry is unnecessary. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." | God's purpose ensures all situations contribute to ultimate good. |
| Rom 8:32 | "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" | God's greatest gift (His Son) assures provision of all lesser things. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God provides for all needs through Christ Jesus. |
| Heb 13:5-6 | "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money... for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you'." | Contentment in God, as He provides and never abandons. |
| Jas 1:17 | "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." | All good provisions come from God. |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." | Releasing anxieties to God as He is concerned for His people. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." | Defining those called "His saints" as a peculiar, holy people. |
| Ps 4:8 | "In peace I will lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety." | God provides peace and security, addressing anxieties about "lack". |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe... and see if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." | Provision tied to faithfulness, specifically financial in this context. |
Psalm 34 verses
Psalm 34 9 Meaning
Psalm 34:9 encourages those who are devoted to the Most High God to revere Him deeply, promising that as a result of their reverence, they will not lack anything truly essential. It speaks to a profound security and provision found in a relationship of reverential awe and trust with the Almighty. The verse underscores that all genuine needs – spiritual, physical, and relational – are met by the LORD for those who belong to Him and honor Him above all.
Psalm 34 9 Context
Psalm 34 is an acrostic psalm (though missing one letter) written by David. The historical superscription attributes it to a period when David pretended to be insane before Abimelech (Achish in 1 Sam 21:10-15), a Philistine king, out of fear for his life after fleeing from King Saul. This verse stands within a psalm of thanksgiving and instruction, where David, having experienced God's deliverance from a truly desperate situation, now exhorts others to seek and trust in the LORD. Following the call to "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good" (v.8), verse 9 directly calls upon "His saints" to "fear the LORD" as the path to complete provision and satisfaction. The context highlights that David, who truly "lacked" and was in fear of his life, testifies to God's unfailing supply for those who humble themselves and revere Him.
Psalm 34 9 Word analysis
- Oh: An interjection of exclamation or strong appeal (הַבּוֹאוּ `hab-bo'u`). It serves as an earnest invitation, commanding attention and underscoring the urgency and importance of the exhortation that follows. It suggests a personal, heartfelt plea to engage with the truth presented.
- fear: (יִרְאוּ `yir’ū`) From the Hebrew root ירא (`yare'`), meaning to fear, stand in awe, revere. In the context of God, it's not a slavish, terrifying dread, but a profound respect, reverence, worship, and obedient submission to His holy character and mighty power. This 'fear' implies acknowledging His sovereignty, trusting His character, and conforming one's life to His will, which leads to spiritual and practical blessings. It's an active, trust-filled reverence.
- the LORD: (יְהוָה `YHWH`, `Yahweh`) The covenant, personal name of God, revealing His self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM") and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The use of YHWH emphasizes that the One who provides is the faithful, immutable, and covenant-keeping God, underscoring the reliability of the promise.
- you His saints: (קְדשָׁיו `qədošāw`, from קדשׁ `qadosh`). `Qadosh` means "holy," "set apart," or "consecrated." "His saints" refers to those who are called by God, belong to Him, and are therefore separated from the common and devoted to Him. These are the individuals who have recognized God's goodness (v.8) and are called to honor Him. They are His chosen people, holy to Him.
- for: (כִּי `kî`) A conjunction introducing the reason, explanation, or substantiation for the preceding command. It establishes the consequence or assurance that follows the act of fearing the LORD.
- those who fear Him: (לְיֵרֵאָיו `ləyêrē’āw`) A reaffirmation and slightly different construction of the subject, indicating that the promise is specifically for those who truly embody this reverential awe and submission to God, whether saints or those who are in the process of becoming them through His grace. It reiterates the condition for the blessing.
- lack nothing: (אֵין־מַחְסוֹר `’ên-maḥsōr`) From אֵין (`’ên`, "there is no") and מַחְסוֹר (`maḥsor`, "lack," "deficiency," "want," "need"). This phrase signifies complete sufficiency and contentment. It does not promise material wealth or freedom from all trials, but rather that all essential needs for life and godliness will be met. This includes spiritual provision (wisdom, guidance), emotional provision (peace, comfort), and physical provision (food, shelter) as God sees fit, and often refers to the absence of ultimate, crucial want. This is a subtle polemic against relying on idols or worldly means for provision, asserting that only in YHWH is true and enduring sufficiency found.
- Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints: This opening serves as a direct, passionate appeal to God's consecrated people. It's a call to action based on personal experience, encouraging deep spiritual engagement. The address to "His saints" specifically narrows the scope, implying a special relationship and responsibility. It suggests that fearing the LORD is not a universal call to all people in the same manner, but particularly emphasized for those already in a covenant relationship with Him, belonging to Him.
- for those who fear Him lack nothing: This clause provides the motivation and assurance. The benefit is directly linked to the act of fearing God. It underscores the profound generosity and faithfulness of God, who ensures that those committed to Him are comprehensively cared for, not according to human desires but divine wisdom and provision for what is truly necessary for a flourishing life in His presence. It signifies a profound spiritual security that transcends material circumstances.
Psalm 34 9 Bonus section
The concept of "fearing the LORD" is foundational throughout the Old Testament and resonates into the New Testament. It signifies the proper human response to God's revelation, being the very antithesis of rebellion and self-reliance. This reverential fear is repeatedly linked with wisdom, knowledge, a long life, prosperity, and blessings. Furthermore, the "lack nothing" assurance carries eschatological weight, hinting at a future perfect state where all desires in alignment with God's will are fulfilled. In Christian thought, this sufficiency is deeply intertwined with Jesus Christ, who became "all things" for us, fulfilling needs and providing true spiritual nourishment. The fear of the Lord also serves as a critical distinction from the worship of idols or reliance on human might, which inherently promise what they cannot deliver and ultimately lead to destitution and disappointment, reinforcing that true provision comes from God alone.
Psalm 34 9 Commentary
Psalm 34:9 stands as a powerful testament to the abundance found in a life surrendered to God through reverential awe. The exhortation to "fear the LORD" is not about a cowering dread but a profound respect and devoted obedience that recognizes God's infinite holiness, power, and love. For "His saints," those set apart by and for God, this reverence unlocks a divine promise: they "lack nothing." This promise of sufficiency is holistic, extending beyond mere material provision to encompass spiritual guidance, emotional peace, and every true need for their journey. It does not guarantee the absence of trials or hardship, but rather that in the midst of any circumstance, God's provision will ensure that His people are equipped, sustained, and ultimately complete in Him. The psalmist, writing from personal experience of deliverance from profound lack, underscores that genuine security and provision are found not in worldly sources but solely in the faithful hands of the covenant-keeping God.