What does "greatly feared" in Psalm 89:7 teach about our attitude toward God? The Setting of Psalm 89:7 “In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.” • The verse pictures God amid the heavenly host—angels who have never sinned, yet they tremble. • If sinless beings respond with awe, it underscores how weighty God’s presence truly is. Defining “Greatly Feared” • Not panic‐stricken terror, but profound reverence. • A heart‐level recognition of God’s absolute holiness, majesty, power, and authority. • The Hebrew verb (yârēʾ) conveys both awe and the dread of offending Him. Why Holy Fear Matters • Fear guards us from casual worship: “Let us worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) • Fear births wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10) • Fear deters sin: “God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20) Practicing Holy Fear Today 1. Approach Scripture expecting it to command, not merely suggest. 2. Examine motives in worship—are we seeking His glory or our comfort? 3. Confess sin quickly, remembering “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) 4. Speak of God with guarded tongues; His name is not filler for casual talk. 5. Serve with earnest obedience, knowing “each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12) Balancing Fear and Love • Fear and love are not rivals; they fuel each other. • When we grasp how holy He is, His grace appears all the more staggering. • “Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.” (Revelation 15:4) Key Takeaways • “Greatly feared” calls for an attitude of continual, weighty reverence. • Holy fear disciplines our worship, guides our ethics, and magnifies grace. • Cultivating this fear aligns us with the heavenly host and readies us for the day we, too, will stand in that council and behold His awesome majesty. |
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