The term "fearfully" is often associated with the awe and reverence due to God, as well as the intricate and marvelous nature of His creation. In the Bible, the word is most notably used in Psalm 139:14, where the psalmist declares, "I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well" . This verse highlights the profound respect and admiration for God's creative power and the complexity of human life.

Biblical Context

1. Creation and Reverence: The use of "fearfully" in Psalm 139:14 underscores the idea that humans are created with great care and intention. The term conveys a sense of being crafted with awe-inspiring precision, reflecting God's omnipotence and wisdom. This understanding aligns with the broader biblical theme that all of creation is a testament to God's glory and majesty (Psalm 19:1).

2. Fear of the Lord: In a broader biblical context, "fear" often denotes a deep respect and reverence for God. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" . This fear is not about being afraid but about recognizing God's authority and holiness, leading to a life of obedience and worship.

3. Human Value and Dignity: The concept of being "fearfully made" speaks to the inherent value and dignity of human life. Each person is uniquely crafted by God, which forms the basis for the Christian belief in the sanctity of life. This perspective is foundational to understanding human identity and purpose from a biblical standpoint.

4. God's Intimate Knowledge: Psalm 139 as a whole emphasizes God's intimate knowledge of and involvement in the life of each individual. Verses 1-4 illustrate God's omniscience, as He knows our thoughts and actions even before they occur. This intimate knowledge further amplifies the significance of being "fearfully" made, as it reflects a personal and intentional act of creation by a loving Creator.

5. Response to God's Majesty: The recognition of being "fearfully and wonderfully made" calls for a response of worship and gratitude. It invites believers to live in a manner that honors God, acknowledging His sovereignty and the purpose He has for each life. This response is echoed in Romans 12:1, where believers are urged to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Theological Implications

The use of "fearfully" in the biblical text carries significant theological implications. It affirms the belief in a purposeful and intelligent design by God, countering views that diminish the divine role in creation. It also reinforces the concept of human beings as image-bearers of God, endowed with worth and purpose. This understanding shapes Christian ethics, particularly in areas related to human dignity, such as bioethics, social justice, and personal conduct.

In summary, "fearfully" in the biblical context is a term rich with meaning, reflecting the awe-inspiring nature of God's creative work and the reverence due to Him. It serves as a reminder of the profound value of human life and the call to live in accordance with God's divine purpose.(adv.) In a fearful manner.1171. deinos -- terribly, vehemently
... Word Origin from the same as deilos Definition terribly, vehemently NASB Word Usage
business (1), fearfully (1), very (1). grievously, vehemently. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1171.htm - 6k3372a. yare -- to fear
... 2), become frightened (1), cautious (1), dismayed (1), fear (165), fear and awesome
(1), feared (36), fearful (1), fearful thing (1), fearfully (1), fearing (5 ...
/hebrew/3372a.htm - 6k

"We are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. "
... LIFE, DEATH AND FUTURITY. 524. " "We are fearfully and wonderfully made.".
524. CM Watts. "We are fearfully and wonderfully made.". ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/524 we are fearfully.htm

Of the Fourth Consideration of the Sacred, Holy Stigmata
... an infliction and torment of the devil than any natural infirmity; for sometimes
he would cast himself down on the ground, trembling fearfully, and foaming at ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/of the fourth consideration of.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man.
... lessons suggested by it. 1. In the first place, the subject reminds us
that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. When we take a ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man.htm

The Sea of Glass
... all our days in wonder and humbleness of heart, confessing that we know nothing,
and that we cannot know; confessing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxiv the sea of.htm

Signs and Wonders.
... The thought of his own body, how fearfully and wonderfully it was made, was enough
to make him do that. ... For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xix signs and wonders.htm

On Refuges of Lies.
... These same families I have known become loose in morals, forsake the house
of God, turn to strong drink, and become fearfully vicious. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/vii on refuges of lies.htm

David's Weakness
... as their writings abundantly testify, to scold, to use the most virulent language
against all who differed from them; they were, at times, fearfully cruel, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon i davids weakness.htm

Holiness Demanded
... Without holiness,""practical, personal, active, vital holiness,""no man shall see
the Lord." Dealing with this solemn assertion, fearfully exclusive as it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/holiness demanded.htm

Its Problem
... Then it is that he realizes how completely he has failed to consider those claims,
how fearfully he has disregarded that law, how miserably he falls short of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/3 its problem.htm

Prayer Incidents in the Life of Our Lord
... He is arraigning the ingratitude of men to God, and is showing the fearfully
destructive results of their indifference with their increased opportunities ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/viii prayer incidents in the.htm

Fearfully (4 Occurrences)
...Fearfully (4 Occurrences). Matthew 8:6 and saying, 'Sir, my young man hath been
laid in the house a paralytic, fearfully afflicted,' (YLT NAS). ...
/f/fearfully.htm - 7k

Fear (970 Occurrences)
... "Fearfully" (Psalm 139:14): yare', "I am fearfully (and) wonderfully made," so the
Revised Version (British and American); "and" is not in the text, so that ...
/f/fear.htm - 50k

Fearfulness (7 Occurrences)

/f/fearfulness.htm - 8k

Fearful (73 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 139:14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. ...
/f/fearful.htm - 28k

Laid (552 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT NAS RSV). Matthew 8:6 and saying, 'Sir, my young man hath been
laid in the house a paralytic, fearfully afflicted,' (YLT). ...
/l/laid.htm - 35k

Wonderfully (12 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 139:14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. ...
/w/wonderfully.htm - 10k

Besiege (17 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 And in his speaking these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees
began fearfully to urge and to press him to speak about many things, (See ...
/b/besiege.htm - 12k

Afflicted (171 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV). Matthew 8:6 and saying, 'Sir, my young man hath been laid in
the house a paralytic, fearfully afflicted,' (YLT). Matthew ...
/a/afflicted.htm - 34k

Marvellous (36 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV). Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. ...
/m/marvellous.htm - 16k

Speaking (376 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 And in his speaking these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees
began fearfully to urge and to press him to speak about many things, (YLT). ...
/s/speaking.htm - 34k

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