Oxygen from Psalm 34:9-11 (Fear)

Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD.
(Psalm 34:9-11)

Merciful God:

How can I learn to fear
The One I hold so dear,
The One who banished fright,
gave me songs in the night,
and bid me come in simple trust?

How can I learn to fear
The One whose presence cheers,
The One who suffered terror
for my unrighteous errors,
for all my brazenness?

Our culture sings sex ditties
while epics sung in ancient cities
chronicled the fights of heroes,
into fear and tempest thrown,
against the terrors of the gods.

Safety in our stronghold
gives rise to softer songs,
softer people, softer minds,
unaware of the true time,
seldom overcome with awe.

May Thy transcendent threat
make every evil-doer fret;
restrain my self-centered spike
when I would compromise the right,
that I not Thee disappoint.

David, teach me, inspired bard,
how to rightly fear the Lord,
how to rightly hear His call,
how to live in abject awe
of my Redeemer's love.

Amen.