Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 34:11

"Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah." — Psalms 34:11 (ASV)

Come, you children—Having addressed people in general (Psalms 34:8) and then the saints and the pious (Psalms 34:9), the psalmist now turns to children—to the young.

He does this so that he may state to them the result of his own experience and teach them from that experience how they may find happiness and prosperity.

The original word here rendered “children” properly means “sons;” but there can be no doubt that the psalmist meant to address the young in general.

There is no evidence that he especially designed what is said here for his own sons. The counsel seems to have been intended for all the young.

I see no reason for supposing, as Rosenmuller, DeWette, and Prof. Alexander do, that the word is used here in the sense of “disciples, scholars, learners.” That the word may have such a meaning, there can be no doubt; but it is much more in accordance with the psalm's scope to regard the word as employed in its usual sense, denoting the young. It is thus a most interesting address from an aged and experienced man of God to those who are in the morning of life—suggesting to them the way by which they may make life prosperous and happy.

Listen to me—Attend to what I have to say, as the fruit of my experience and observation.

I will teach you the fear of the Lord—I will show you what constitutes the true fear of the Lord, or what is the nature of true religion. I will teach you how you may so fear and serve God as to enjoy his favor and obtain length of days upon the earth.