John Calvin Commentary Psalms 34:9

"Oh fear Jehovah, ye his saints; For there is no want to them that fear him." — Psalms 34:9 (ASV)

Fear Jehovah, you his saints. Here the people of God are exhorted to the pursuit of holiness and righteousness, that they may open up a channel for divine blessings. We know that men are accustomed to provide for their wants by resorting to fraud, plunder, and even to wrongful violence.

Indeed, it is inevitable that the faithful will feel some stirrings of a desire to imitate the wicked and envy them to some degree in their prosperity, so that they sometimes permit themselves to howl among the wolves. And although they voluntarily abstain from all wrongful violence, yet the common way of living among those around them carries them away like a tempest; and, in the meantime, they think that the plea of necessity is sufficient to excuse them.

David represses these temptations, as with a bridle, promising that all will be well with the people of God, provided they keep themselves in the fear of God. He opposes this fear to all wicked and deceitful counsels, because most men consider those to be fools who aim at simplicity, since by doing so they do not look out for their own interests and profit.

Therefore, while ungodly men are afraid of poverty, and carnal reason urges them to attempt whatever their inclination may suggest to avoid it, David here testifies that God takes care of the godly, so that He never allows them to be in want. 'Let no fear or distrust,' he says, 'withdraw you from the pursuit of what is right, because God never forsakes those who walk righteously before Him.'

The Psalmist, therefore, urges them to yield to God the honor of expecting more from Him alone than the wicked expect from their deceitful dealings and unlawful practices. Moreover, as iniquity rages with unbridled fury everywhere throughout the world, he expressly calls upon the saints to be on their guard, because this message is not intended for the indiscriminate multitude.

It is a belief contrary to the commonly held opinion among men that, even while the integrity of the good and simple is exposed to the will of the wicked, there should still be greater security in integrity than in all the resources of fraud and injustice. Therefore, there is no inconsistency in his admonishing the saints—who are already striving to walk uprightly—not to depart from the fear of God. For we know how easily the light of piety can be obscured and extinguished when it seems there is no hope of living happily and prosperously except by pursuing the world and its enticing pleasures.

The Psalmist illustrates this doctrine with a very apt comparison: God provides everything necessary for His people and relieves their wants, while the lions—which surpass all wild beasts of the earth in ferocity—prowl about famishing for their prey. Some think that under the name of lions, men who are addicted to violence and plunder are metaphorically described; but this, in my opinion, is too subtle.

David simply asserts that those who guard against all unrighteousness will profit more by doing so than by rapine and plunder, because the Lord feeds His people, while even the lions and other beasts of prey often suffer hunger. So, what he is saying is that lions will sooner perish from hunger and want than God will fail to provide necessary food for the righteous and sincere, who, content with His blessing alone, seek their food only from His hand.

Therefore, whoever in this way casts his cares upon God and confides implicitly in His paternal goodness and bounty will live quietly and peaceably among men and suffer no injury. If it is objected that the good and virtuous are not always exempt from penury, I answer that God's hand is stretched out to aid them in due season. When they are reduced to the greatest difficulties and do not know where to turn, the outcome always shows that we do not seek in vain from Him whatever is necessary for the sustenance of life.