233. PSA 34:11. ADDRESS TO CHILDREN
Psa_34:11. Address to Children
"Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will each you the fear of the Lord."’97Psa_34:11
The passage contains,
I. A Request.
And,
II. A Promise.
Notice
I. The Request.
Notice,
1. The request is made to children.
"Come, ye children," &c.
Children should be the objects of our special attention. God has commended them to us. Immortal, exposed to imminent peril, objects of divine care, Christ’s regards, &c.
2. The request itself is for them to hearken.
May be considered as the language of the Christian minister’97pious teacher’97the affectionate parent’97or of the blessed God himself, who wishes children to seek his favor, &c. Hearken seriously’97attentively; hearken all of you, &c.
Observe,
II. The Promise made.
"I will teach you the fear of the Lord."
I will teach you,
1. In what it consists.
Two sorts of fear. A guilty and a filial fear; former Cain, Belshazzar, &c, had. The latter is the fear of offending him; a fear full of holy love to him, and which always produces obedience.
I will teach you,
2. Why you should fear him.
Because,
(1) He ought to be feared. So great, glorious, fearful: his smile, life; his frown, death, &c. He can raise to heaven, or sink to hell.
(2) He has commanded you to fear him See Psa_33:8; Pro_22:17; Isa_8:13; Mat_10:28; Rev_14:7.
(3) Angels fear him. Worship him with faces covered, &c.
(4) All good men have feared him. Noah, Abraham, Job, Joseph, &c.
I will teach you,
3. The advantages of fearing God.
There is no want to them that fear him. He will pity’97have his eyes upon you for good. Angels will encamp round about you; it shall always be well with you; shall be the Lord’s when he maketh up his jewels.
I will teach you,
4. How to obtain the fear of the Lord.
Read his holy word with seriousness and attention; pray daily to him in the name of Jesus Christ: avoid all evil company, and trust in the operation of his Holy Spirit I will teach you,
5. What will become of you, if you do lot fear him.
You will fear when it is too late; be the objects of his displeasure; and perish forever.
Application
The evidences of fearing God will be heard in your conversation, and seen in your conduct at home, school, abroad, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS