What does "fear the LORD" mean in Psalm 118:4 from a theological perspective? Contextual Setting in Psalm 118 Psalm 118 is the climactic psalm of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalm 113–118), sung at Passover. Verses 1–4 form an antiphonal call: 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever. 2 Let Israel say… 3 Let the house of Aaron say… 4 Let those who fear the LORD say… By placing “those who fear the LORD” after Israel and the priesthood, the psalm widens the circle to include all God-fearing worshipers—native or sojourner—who stand in covenant solidarity (cf. Psalm 115:11, where the same triad appears). The “fear” is thus communal allegiance expressed in liturgical praise. Canonical and Theological Framework 1. Pentateuch: Deuteronomy couples love (ʾahav) and fear (yārēʾ) as complementary covenant obligations (Deuteronomy 6:2, 5; 10:12). 2. Historical Books: God commends Job’s “fear of God” (Job 1:8), equating it with integrity. 3. Wisdom Literature: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Fear is epistemic, governing all true knowledge. 4. Prophets: Isaiah foretells Messiah’s delight “in the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:3), linking fear with Spirit-filled righteousness. Psalm 118 echoes these threads, celebrating covenant faithfulness rooted in reverent fear. Fear as Covenant Loyalty Old-covenant fear is relational, not merely emotional. It entails: • Trust in Yahweh’s character (Psalm 115:11). • Obedience to His commands (Deuteronomy 10:12–13). • Hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13). • Hope in His steadfast love (Psalm 33:18). Thus “fear” is best rendered “reverent allegiance”—a loyalty grounded in awe. Reverence versus Terror While Scripture records dread before God’s holiness (Exodus 20:18–21; Isaiah 6:5), for the redeemed this dread is transmuted into confident reverence (Psalm 130:4, “With You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared”). Psalm 118, a thanksgiving for deliverance, presupposes sins forgiven and enemies defeated; fear now fuels praise, not paralysis. Fear in Worship and Liturgy Second-Temple liturgy (cf. 4QPs^q, DSS) preserves Psalm 118 with virtual identity to the Masoretic Text, attesting its usage in early Jewish worship. Mishnah Pesachim 10:5 notes Psalm 118 sung during Passover. The “God-fearers” of Acts 13:16, 26 mirror this liturgical category, showing continuity from Hebrew worship to the mixed congregations of the early church. New Testament Fulfillment Jesus applies Psalm 118:22–23 to Himself (Matthew 21:42). The crowd, shouting 118:26 on Palm Sunday, comprises those who “fear the LORD” in messianic faith. Post-resurrection, believers live out 1 Peter 2:17, “Fear God, honor the king,” interpreting fear through the lens of Christ’s victory. Perfect love casts out punitive fear (1 John 4:18) while intensifying reverential fear (Hebrews 12:28). Christological Reading The cornerstone rejected (Psalm 118:22) becomes the risen Christ (Acts 4:10–11). To “fear the LORD” now entails confessing His resurrection and lordship (Romans 10:9). The empty tomb—historically attested by multiple early, independent sources (1 Corinthians 15:3–7; Jerusalem factor; enemy attestation)—grounds this fear in historical reality. Practical and Behavioral Dimensions Behavioral science confirms that ultimate allegiance shapes moral decision-making. Reverential fear functions as a superordinate motive, yielding lower anxiety, higher prosocial behavior, and long-range moral consistency. Studies on intrinsic religiosity align with Proverbs’ claim that fear of the LORD prolongs life (Proverbs 10:27). Eschatological Implications Revelation merges fear and worship: “Fear God and give Him glory…Worship Him who made heaven and earth” (Revelation 14:7). Psalm 118’s refrain “His loving devotion endures forever” anticipates the eternal praise of the redeemed, where fear evolves into everlasting adoration. Conclusion To “fear the LORD” in Psalm 118:4 is to stand in awe-filled, covenantal allegiance that issues in thankful proclamation of His inexhaustible ḥesed. It is the intersection of worship, obedience, trust, and holy reverence, now fully illumined by the risen Christ, who secures eternal steadfast love for all who call upon His name. |
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