Psalms 34:11
What does Psalms 34:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 34:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 34:11 means
David now adopts the posture of a teacher, inviting others, whom he affectionately calls "children," to listen to his instruction. This term suggests a posture of humility and teachability, open to wisdom and guidance. His explicit purpose is to "teach you the fear of Jehovah." This indicates that the fear of the Lord is not an innate quality but something that can be learned and cultivated. It sets up the following verses as a practical lesson on what it means to live in reverent submission and obedience to God, translating theological truth into daily conduct.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Come, children, give attention to me; I will be your teacher in the fear of the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Come ye, children, hearken to me, The fear of Jehovah I do teach you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Come, ye sons, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah.
Context
After establishing personal praise and encouraging others to trust God with promises of provision, David shifts into a didactic role. This verse marks a turning point, introducing a direct appeal to "children" for instruction. It prepares the reader for a series of practical teachings on righteous living, flowing from the foundational truth of fearing the Lord previously mentioned.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 1:7
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; Butthe foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- Proverbs 4:1
Hear, mysons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:
- Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
- Isaiah 28:9
Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?
- 2 Timothy 3:15
and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Proverbs 2:1
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee;
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