The Fear of the Lord and Other Good Things (Psalm 34:9-11)
- Betty Dodge
- Jul 18, 2015
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 19
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! ¹⁰The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. ¹¹Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. —Psalm 34:9-11
The fear of the Lord is good. It captures our souls for Christ, causes us to bow in adoration of Him, and ignites earnest pursuit of Him. As it works in my soul, the fear of the Lord gives me assurance that God my Father loves me. He disciplines me for my good and His glorious purposes, even though it seems unpleasant in the moment (Hebrews 12:11).
The fear of the Lord wakes me up from my slumbering ways and reorients my heart to love His greatness, goodness, and salvation. I don’t want to blink and nod my way through the life God has given me. The fear of the Lord keeps me alert to opportunities to pray and share Christ with those who don't know Him (Ephesians 5:14-16).
What about the suffering young lions mentioned in this passage? Why did David make them the negative example? Young lions are cast out of the pride around age of two because they're a threat to the lead male. So they're forced out to fend for themselves. A young lion, like all animals, is controlled by his instincts. He is strong, aggressive, and terrifying, but also young and lacking experience and skill in the hunt. His courage is misplaced, resulting in a clumsy pursuit of his prey. The young lion soon grows weary, gives up, and goes away hungry. Many such lions die within the first year of being on their own.
The people of God are not to be like the young lions, always hungry, depending upon themselves for the necessities of life, without strength or skill, and controlled by instinct. We do not suffer want because God Himself fills us with the bread of life. He gives us living water that is a well springing up to eternal life.
The fear of the Lord is more precious than gold (Psalm 19)—a weight of shining evidence that we belong to Him; a rich deposit in our hearts producing the dividends of Christlike humility and wisdom (Philippians 2:5-11; Proverbs 1:7). “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). God summons us to forsake the evil of self-reliance and to instead joyfully seek Him.
As we do, He will reveal to us His glory, goodness, and generosity; giving to us all that is needed to pursue Him relentlessly forever. Then, we will continually bless the Lord (v. 1), find our boast in the Lord (v. 2), magnify the Lord (v. 3), be radiant (v. 5), be saved by the Lord (v. 6), know the goodness of the Lord (v. 8), take refuge in the Lord (vs. 8), fear the Lord (vs. 9), and seek the Lord (vs. 10).
These marvelous benefits are now ours to enjoy (v. 11). Consider the little ones running around the church fellowship hall who have no inkling of the greatness of our God. How quickly might they become "young lions"? Can you see them instead as sons and daughters of the Most High? Will you teach them the fear of the Lord? Your Sunday School just might need a few new volunteers who will say, “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”
For Reflection
How do you define a "good thing"? What comprises your list of good things?
How does the fear of the Lord increase your knowledge and understanding of the grace of God through Jesus Christ?
How might you make time to help teach "the fear of the Lord" to the next generation in your family or church?
