Psalms 34:9

Psalms 34:9

“Fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.” The call to fear the LORD is a foundational posture in wisdom literature. Here, fear is rightly ordered reverence and obedience toward God, not craven terror. The Hebrew term for “saints” highlights God’s holy ones, those set apart to live under his guidance. The promise that “there is no want” to those who fear him signals God’s provision in every essential need—spiritual, physical, relational. The verse reflects a covenantal logic: reverent dependence on God leads to a life under his blessing, where needs are met in ways that align with his good purposes. This theme recurs throughout the Psalms and Proverbs, inviting trust over anxious control.

This verse foregrounds God’s provision as rooted in covenant fidelity and rightly ordered fear. It connects the holiness of God with human need: those who honor God align their desires with his will, and God supplies accordingly. It also sets up a contrast with idolatry or self-reliance, which fail to meet true needs. Thematically, it resonates with Jesus’ teaching about seeking first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and with Paul’s insistence that God supplies all needs (Philippians 4:19). The verse is a succinct summary of trust-driven provision.

Apply by examining what you fear losing—shelter, food, job, health, relationships—and reframe trust in God as the foundation of security. Cultivate daily reminders: a short verse, a gratitude list, or a prayer of dependence. For families, teach children that God’s care covers simplified needs (food, shelter) and bigger concerns (hope for the future). In community life, practice generosity as a response to God’s provision, reminding others that their needs are met in God through the church and through acts of service. The verse calls us to humility and reliance, not passivity, inviting active trust in God’s sustaining grace.

Cross-References: Psalm 23:1; Psalm 37:25; Luke 12:22-31; Philippians 4:12-19; James 1:17