Gather Around Me, Children
According to its title, David wrote Psalm 34 during the time he was fleeing from Saul. He sought refuge in Gath and, to protect himself, faked insanity. Eventually, he left there and went to the cave of Adullam, where his family and 400 loyalists joined him (1 Sam. 21:10-15, 22:1-5).
In Psalm 34:11, David says, “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” In the previous verses, he has been encouraging the readers but now turns to instruction. He has pointed out how he has experienced many good things from God and now explains that it is necessary to fear Him to receive these things.
He says, “Come you, children.” The term “children” can be used in the sense of students, regardless of their age (Pb. 1:8, Jn. 13:33). However, perhaps the term is used here in its usual sense. He addresses young people, possibly some among those who had joined him or even those who may later read his instructions.
He writes, “I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” By “fear,” he means reverence, awe, and respect toward God. This phrase shows us that we must teach the concept of fearing God — it is learned and does not just come naturally. Today, a new Christian most likely will have some understanding of this concept, but teaching on this subject must continue (Mt. 28:18-20).
He starts by telling them of a blessing, which follows those who fear God. He asks in verse 12, “Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?” The answer to this question is “practically everyone.” The question is almost rhetorical as most want to live a long and productive life. This desire is not wrong — in fact, it is practically innate. If you would like to receive this blessing, you must fear God and what follows tells us what fearing God involves. (Note also Eph. 6:1-3.)
The verses that follow teach that fearing God is not just an academic matter, but we must carry it out. We show that we fear God by our actions. It is not merely learned but lived, manifesting itself in practical ways. Also, what ensues is not an all-inclusive definition of what it means to fear God but a representative sample. He is saying, “Gather round me, children, and I will show you what it takes to fear God.” David is asking for their attention, and now he will instruct. In verses 13-14, the Psalmist teaches, “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” David tells those gathered around him to:
1. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit (14a). In a broad sense, people should keep their tongues from evil. A specific example of not doing this would be speaking deceit, i.e., lying.
2. Depart from evil (14b). Since David says we should depart from evil, this indicates there are times when we might find ourselves near it, which will happen since we live in a wicked world (1 Cor. 5:10, 15:33). We must depart from all evil company, deeds, and speech. The Bible teaches we are to hate and avoid evil. Proverbs 8:13 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 teaches that we are to “abstain from every form of evil.”
3. Do good (14c). It is not enough to depart from evil, but we must also pursue good. Departing from evil is defensive — it is a retreat. Doing right is offensive — it is a charge. If we depart from iniquity, it is easier to do good. How do we define good? The Scriptures teach us what good is (2 Tim. 3:16-17). They also tell us that Jesus (Acts 10:38) “went about doing good,” and we are to follow His example (1 Peter 2:21). Dorcus, a woman who lived in the days of the early church, was “full of good works” (Acts 9:36). In Galatians 6:10, Paul admonished the Galatians, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Note also 1 Tim. 6:18.)
4. Seek peace and pursue it (14d). We must seek peace with God, but here he seems to be talking about peace with other people. He tells us we cannot wait for peace to come — we must seek it, and, even further, we must pursue it. The word translated “pursue” means to “run after,” so we must vigorously pursue it. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of seeking peace. If we want to see the Lord, we must pursue it. Hebrews 12:14 tells us we must “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Paul told the young evangelist Timothy (2 Tim. 2:22) to “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Sometimes peace is not possible, as Romans 12:18 lets us know when it says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” However, the whole context (9-21) tells us how to live at peace and act toward our enemies.
In conclusion, the Psalmist tells us he will teach us to fear God. Then, verses 13-14 contain his instruction on how to do this. As we have noted, those who genuinely fear God will act in a certain way. Note the connection Peter makes between fearing God and obedience. He said, speaking to the Gentiles, in Acts 10:34-35, “. . . in truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
Do you fear God? If so, there will be a reflection of it in your life.
