3. Fear the Lord (vv. 9-16). Those who fear the Lord (vv. 7, 9, 11) need fear nothing else, for this is the fear that drives out all fear (112:1). When we fear the Lord, He provides all that we need when we need it. Verse 9 is the Old Testament equivalent of Matthew 6:33. “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (84:11 nasb). God promises to give us what is good for us and to cause all things to work together for good (Rom. 8:28). If we don’t receive what we think we need, it means it isn’t good for us and we don’t need it at this time. At this point, David may have gathered the children and youths around him to teach them the secret of real living. Peter quoted verses 12-14 in 1 Peter 3:10-12, and his instructions are wise and workable.
Desire what is good (v. 12). To be one who “desireth life” means to desire a full life, the abundant life Christ came to give (John 10:10). This kind of life has little to do with possessions, status, or fame; but it has a lot to do with character, faith, and a desire to honor the Lord. They seek the Lord and want nothing less than His will for their lives. Solomon had wealth, knowledge, fame, and power; yet he wrote, “Therefore I hated life …” (Eccl. 2:17-20). To cultivate a heart that desires what is good, a heart that delights in the Lord (37:4), is the first step toward the life that overflows with the blessing of the Lord.
Speak what is true (v. 13). If we can control the tongue, we can control the body (James 3:1-12); “whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Prov. 21:23 nkjv). To speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) and to speak nothing evil is not easy in today’s competitive and corrupt society, but it can be done. Note David’s prayer in 141:3-4.
Pursue what is right (v. 14). This means abandoning sin once and for all, doing good as God gives strength and opportunity, and being a peacemaker and not a troublemaker. Christians don’t seek “peace at any price,” for peace depends on purity (James 3:13-18; Isa. 32:17), but they do make every effort not to make enemies (Matt. 5:9; Rom. 14:19; Heb. 12:14-21). Sometimes our best efforts seem to be in vain, but at least we obeyed the Lord (Matt. 5:21-26; 18:15-35). “Pursue” means that we have to work at it, with the help of the Lord.
Expect what is best (vv. 15-16). We must live by faith, trusting the Lord to guide us, care for us, and help us do the right thing. We need not fear because His eyes are upon us (32:8) and His ears are attentive to our prayers. God’s face is against those who would do evil to us. This promise is illustrated in Acts 12, when Peter was in prison awaiting execution, the church was praying, and King Herod seemed to be having his way. God saw Peter’s plight, He heard the prayers of the saints, and He delivered Peter but destroyed Herod.