Blessed Are Those Who Fear the Lord Always
The concept of "fearing the Lord" is central to biblical understanding of blessedness and true piety, particularly in the Old Testament [4]. Psalm 128:1 declares, "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!" [1]. This blessing is not limited by nationality, gender, age, or social status, but applies to anyone who genuinely fears God [6].
The "fear of the Lord" is consistently presented as a designation for true piety [4]. It is described as a profound reverence for God that influences one's entire life and conduct [11]. This fear is not a servile dread or terror, but rather a filial reverence, akin to the respect a child has for a loving parent [4, 5]. It is a fear conjoined with love and hope [4]. John Gill notes that this godly fear is a "reverential affection for God" that is compatible with strong faith and spiritual joy [7].
Scripture connects the fear of the Lord with several characteristics and outcomes:
- Wisdom and Knowledge The fear of the Lord is equated with wisdom (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10) and is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) [4, 5]. Searching the Scriptures helps in understanding this fear (Proverbs 2:3-5) [5].
- Hatred of Evil Those who fear the Lord are characterized by a hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13) [5].
- Walking in God's Ways A key aspect of fearing the Lord is walking in His prescribed ways, including His ordinances and commands [1, 6]. This walk is described as pleasant and profitable, requiring strength and wisdom, and signifying progression and continuance in God's path [6].
- God's Blessing and Presence God promises to bless those who fear Him (Psalm 115:13; 128:1, 4) [2, 3]. This blessing extends to future generations (Psalm 128:4-6) [12]. Those who fear the Lord will receive further instruction and experience God's presence (Psalm 25:12-15) [8]. God cares for and finds refuge in those who love and fear Him, promising them a grand future and peace (Psalm 145:20) [13].
- Trust and Rejoicing The fear of the Lord is often linked with trust in God. Those who fear the Lord are encouraged to praise Him (Psalm 22:23) [7] and to declare that His mercy endures forever (Psalm 118:3) [10]. They are among those who put their trust in God and are called to rejoice and even shout for joy in His salvation (Psalm 5:11) [9].
The New Testament also enjoins a holy fear, not as a source of anxiety, but as a preventative against carelessness in religion and an incentive for penitence (Matthew 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 7:1; Philippians 2:12; Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 12:28, 29) [4]. This fear is motivated by God's holiness, greatness, goodness, and forgiveness (Isaiah 8:13; Deuteronomy 10:12, 17; 1 Samuel 12:24; Psalm 130:4) [5]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that where the fear of God is a "commanding principle in the heart," it will naturally lead to a consistent conformity to God's will [11].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 128:1 (BSB) — Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!”
- Psalms “Psalms 115:13 (KJV) — He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Blessed, The — Whom God chooses -- Ps 65:4; Eph 1:3,4. Whom God calls -- Isa 51:2; Re 19:9. Who know Christ -- Mt 16:16,17. Who know the gospel -- Ps 89:15. Who are not offended at Christ -- Mt 11:6. Who believe -- Lu 1:45; Ga 3:9. Whose sins are forgiven -- Ps 32:1,2; Ro 4:7. To whom God imputes righteousness without works -- Ro 4:6-9. Whom God chastens -- Job 5:17; Ps 94:12. Who suffer for Christ -- Lu 6:22. Who have the Lord for their God -- Ps 144:15. Who trust in God -- Ps 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12; Jer 17:7. Who fear God -- Ps 112:1; 128:1,4. Who hear and keep th”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fear of the Lord the — Is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 31:42, 53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1; Phil. 2:12; Eph. 5:21; Heb. 12:28, 29).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 128:1: Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord,.... Be he who he will; of whatsoever nation, Jew or Gentile; of whatsoever sex, age, or condition, high or low, rich or poor, Act 10:35; such an one is blessed now, and will be hereafter; See Gill on Psa 112:1; that walketh in his ways: which God has prescribed and directed his people to walk in, his ordinances and commands; which, to walk in, is both pleasant and profitable: it supposes life, requires strength and wisdom; and is expressive of progression, or going on and continuance in them: and where the true fear of God”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 22:23: Ye that fear the Lord, praise him,.... By whom are meant, not the proselytes among the Gentiles, as distinct from the Jews, which is the sense of some Jewish interpreters (n); but all the people of God, whether Jews or Gentiles, who have the grace of filial and godly fear put into their hearts, with which they worship God, and walk before him in all holy conversation; which is not a fear of wrath, or a distrust of divine goodness; but is a reverential affection for God, and is consistent with the greatest degree of faith, the strongest expressions of spiritual joy an”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 25:12: 25:12-15 Those who fear the Lord will receive further instruction and experience God’s presence (25:14) and blessing (25:13).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 5:11: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice,.... Who trust not in themselves, in their own hearts, in their righteousness, or riches, or strength; but in the name, righteousness, and strength of the Lord: who betake themselves to him, and put all their confidence in him: let them rejoice in the salvation of the Lord, and in hope of eternal glory and happiness; let them even shout for joy: not only rejoice inwardly, but express their joy externally, with their voices, and in the loudest manner; and that always, the matter and foundation of a believer's joy”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 118:3: Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Not the proselytes to the Jewish religion only, but all that feared the Lord among all people, as Aben Ezra observes; such as fear the Lord and his goodness, and have had an experience of his grace and mercy, which has caused them to fear him; and to whom the mercy of God is great, and on whom it is from everlasting to everlasting; and therefore should speak well of it, and set their seal to it, that it abides for ever; see Psa 103:11. . Psalms 118:5 psa 118:5 psa 118:5 psa 118:5I called upon t”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 128:1: It is here shown that godliness has the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. I. It is here again and again laid down as an undoubted truth that those who are truly holy are truly happy. Those whose blessed state we are here assured of are such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, such as have a deep reverence of God upon their spirits and evidence it by a regular and constant conformity to his will. Where the fear of God is a commanding principle in the heart the tenour of the conversation will be accordingly; and in vain do we pretend ”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 128:4: 128:4-6 God will continually bless all who fear him (133:3) from his dwelling in Zion (20:2; 50:2; 110:2), no matter where they live. • grandchildren: God’s blessings extend from generation to generation for the faithful (79:12-13; 89:1; 100:4-5; 103:17-19).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 145:20: 145:20 The Lord cares for those who love him and fear him. God-fearers love the Lord and find refuge in him (5:11); they seek him as their only true Savior (40:16; 70:4). They will experience a grand future (69:36), as well as God’s peace (119:165).”