What does Psalm 119:120 reveal about the fear of God in a believer's life? Text “My flesh trembles in fear of You; I stand in awe of Your judgments.” – Psalm 119:120 Literary Setting: the Samekh Stanza (vv. 113-120) Psalm 119 is an acrostic masterpiece; each stanza opens with a successive Hebrew letter. Verse 120 closes the Samekh (ס) section. Samekh means “to support/lean upon,” hinting that genuine fear of God is a stabilizing support for the believer’s life. The stanza contrasts double-mindedness (v. 113) with wholehearted allegiance; it climaxes in bodily trembling, revealing that authentic reverence is not abstract but embodied. Theological Core: Fear as Covenant Response Biblically, “fear of Yahweh” is the covenant attitude acknowledging His holiness, justice, and grace. It is both affectionate reverence and sober dread of offending Him (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Psalm 119:120 confirms that true faith never trivializes God’s holiness; it embraces Him as Abba while never forgetting He is consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29). Embodied Reverence The psalmist’s “flesh” (bāśār) trembles; the whole person—spirit and body—is engaged. Neurological studies document that profound awe triggers autonomic responses (elevated skin conductance, piloerection). Scripture anticipated this: Daniel’s strength left him (Daniel 10:8-9); John fell “as though dead” before the risen Christ (Revelation 1:17). God-given fear properly orders the psychosomatic unity of the believer. Fear vs. Terror: Perfected in Love Servile terror drives one from God; filial fear draws one near. Psalm 119:120 sits between v. 117 (“uphold me”) and v. 122 (“be surety for me”) showing that trembling coexists with trust. The New Testament completes the picture: “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12-13). Love does not eradicate fear’s reverent dimension; it perfects it by removing condemnation (1 John 4:18). Motivation for Holiness and Obedience Fear of God safeguards against sin (Proverbs 16:6). In Psalm 119 the effect is delight in the Word (vv. 97-104) and hatred of false ways (v. 104). Behavioral science affirms that deeply held, affect-laden convictions exert the strongest influence on conduct; Scripture teaches the supreme affect is fear of God (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Judgments: Moral Order Worthy of Awe “Mishpāṭîm” encompass every decree from creation’s physics to Torah’s statutes. Modern science, detecting fine-tuning constants (e.g., cosmological constant, strong nuclear force) and information-rich DNA, highlights exquisite “judgments” embedded in nature. Intelligent-design research notes specified complexity as hallmarks of personal agency, corroborating the psalmist’s awe (Romans 1:20). Canonical Echoes Old Testament: Genesis 22:12; Exodus 20:20; Isaiah 66:2 (“trembles at My word”). Wisdom: Proverbs 1:7; 14:26-27. Prophets: Jeremiah 5:22. New Testament: Acts 9:31; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 4:1; Revelation 14:7. Psalm 119:120 stands as a hinge connecting these themes, proving doctrinal continuity across both covenants. Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies perfect filial fear (Isaiah 11:3; Hebrews 5:7). At Gethsemane His holy dread of sin’s cup led to obedient submission (Matthew 26:39). Through His resurrection He is exalted, and believers share His Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD (Romans 8:15; Isaiah 11:2). Therefore, Psalm 119:120 anticipates the believer’s Spirit-wrought response to Calvary’s righteous judgment (Romans 3:25-26). Historical Reception • Targum: “My body quakes because of Your name; I tremble from before Your judgments.” • Augustine: “Let flesh tremble, but let the heart rejoice that God’s judgments are righteous.” • Reformers linked the verse to sanctification, Calvin calling fear “the bridle to curb our flesh.” Practical Outworking a) Worship – Reverent posture and confession (Hebrews 12:28). b) Ethics – Integrity when unseen (Proverbs 8:13). c) Evangelism – Persuading others, “knowing the fear of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:11). d) Trials – Stability; “those who fear Him lack nothing” (Psalm 34:9). Summary Psalm 119:120 portrays fear of God as an integrative, embodied, covenant response that unites trembling flesh with rational awe for divine judgments. It is rooted in God’s holiness, perfected in Christ, authenticated by manuscript evidence, and indispensable for worship, obedience, and joyful assurance. |
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