Lesson 34: Taste And See That The Lord Is Good Series

Heb 12:10, 11: “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

“Shall not want any good thing,” which is necessary and truly good for them; of which God alone is a competent judge. And therefore, although God usually takes special care to supply the wants of good men (believers), and has often done it by extraordinary means, when ordinary means have failed, yet sometimes he knows, and it is certainly true, that wants and crosses are more needful and useful to them than bread, and in such cases it is a greater mercy of God to deny them bread than to grant their request.His human creatures never need to be in want, since they that seek the Lord “shall not want any good thing.” The way is always open to them to "seek the Lord.”

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Come, ye children

There have been several theories put forward concerning who is meant by “children.” The following is a short summary of those theories that I am aware of.

(1) David could mean “his own children,” seeing that he thought it was his duty to instruct them, and bring them up in the fear of the Lord. Or,

(2) He could have meant his subjects, whom he viewed as his children, as every king does; and they thought of him as a father-figure. My dear children; whom I love as my own children, and who acknowledge me as their civil father, your prince (2 Kings 5:13) and as your spiritual father. Or,

(3) All his hearers, as those who listened to the prophets are called the children or sons of the prophets. Or,

(4) Young people in general may be intended, who should be taught early their duty to God and men. Though a warrior and a king, the psalmist was not ashamed to teach children. David may have told them of his own experience, and taught them from that experience how they may find happiness and prosperity. Teachers of youth do honorable work, and their reward shall be glorious. Or,

(5) The children of God in general are meanthere. Or,

(6) The least among them, called babes and little children, who are little in their own eyes, modest and humble; and who, when they need instruction, are most anxious to receive it.

The word "come" does not, in this case, involve motion, like drawing near to hear better, but rather, readiness to hear, and paying close attention.

The original word which has been rendered "children" means "sons;" but there can be no doubt that the psalmist meant to address the young in general. There is no evidence from what is said here that the psalmist meant his own sons. The instruction seems to have been designed for all young people. I see no reason for supposing that the word is used here in the sense of "disciples, scholars, or learners." No doubt, the word may have such a meaning; but it is much more in accordance with the scope of the psalm to regard the word as used in its usual sense—denoting the young. It is therefore a most interesting statement 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.