Psalm 115:13 kjv
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
Psalm 115:13 nkjv
He will bless those who fear the LORD, Both small and great.
Psalm 115:13 niv
he will bless those who fear the LORD? small and great alike.
Psalm 115:13 esv
he will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great.
Psalm 115:13 nlt
He will bless those who fear the LORD,
both great and lowly.
Psalm 115 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 112:1-2 | Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights... His offspring mighty... | Blessings on the one who fears God, posterity. |
| Prov 10:22 | The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow... | God's blessing brings true wealth. |
| Prov 22:4 | The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. | Fear of the Lord leads to life and honor. |
| Deut 28:1-6 | If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these blessings... | Conditional blessings in the covenant. |
| Psa 34:9-10 | Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. | God provides for those who fear Him. |
| Psa 103:11 | For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love for those who fear Him; | God's great love for those who fear Him. |
| Mal 3:16-17 | Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another; the LORD took note... | God remembers and treasures His fearful ones. |
| Act 10:34-35 | God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him... is acceptable... | God's impartiality in accepting all who fear. |
| 1 Sam 2:30 | ...those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. | God honors those who honor Him. |
| Job 28:28 | And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’ | Fear of God as true wisdom. |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | Fear of God as foundational wisdom. |
| Eccles 12:13 | The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | The sum of human duty is to fear God. |
| Psa 25:12-14 | Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way... The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him... | God instructs and makes covenant with those who fear. |
| Luke 1:50 | And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation. | God's mercy extends to His fearers. |
| Psa 67:6-7 | The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, blesses us. God shall bless us... | God's blessing bringing fruitfulness. |
| Rev 19:5 | And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, both small and great.” | Exhortation to praise from all, small & great. |
| Jer 31:34 | And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor... ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest... | Universal knowledge of God, similar inclusivity. |
| Col 3:23-25 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord... knowing that from the Lord you will receive... reward. For God shows no partiality. | Working for the Lord, God's impartiality. |
| Gen 22:12,18 | ...for now I know that you fear God... By your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed... | Blessing tied to fearing God (Abraham). |
| Psa 5:12 | For You bless the righteous, O LORD; You surround him with favor as with a shield. | God blesses the righteous with favor. |
| Psa 29:11 | May the LORD give strength to His people! May the LORD bless His people with peace! | God blesses His people with peace and strength. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God's abundant supply, a form of blessing. |
| Psa 85:9 | Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. | Salvation is near to those who fear Him. |
Psalm 115 verses
Psalm 115 13 Meaning
Psalm 115:13 proclaims God's unfailing commitment to bestow favor upon all who reverence Him, without distinction of social standing or personal stature. It assures that divine blessing extends impartially to everyone who walks in awe and obedience before the LORD, encompassing both the humble and the prominent within society.
Psalm 115 13 Context
Psalm 115 belongs to a series of psalms (113-118) known as the Egyptian Hallel, traditionally sung during Passover and other Jewish feasts. This psalm stands in stark contrast between the true God and the false idols of surrounding nations. The preceding verses (Psa 115:3-8) deride idols for their inability to see, hear, speak, or act, emphasizing that those who make and trust them become like them—futile and helpless. Following a call for Israel (Psa 115:9), the house of Aaron (Psa 115:10), and "you who fear the LORD" (Psa 115:11) to trust in God, verse 12 declares that the Lord has "remembered us" and will bless. Verse 13 then specifies who will be blessed: those who fear the LORD, inclusive of all societal ranks. The psalm concludes with an affirmation of the living God and His enduring praise (Psa 115:16-18), contrasting the silence of the grave with the perpetual praise of the living. Historically, Israel often struggled with idolatry, making this polemic particularly relevant to reminding them of God's sole sovereignty and ability to bless.
Psalm 115 13 Word analysis
- He will bless (יְבָרֵךְ - yəvā·rēḵ):
- Word: From the Hebrew root בָרַךְ (barak), meaning "to bless, praise, kneel." Here, it signifies God actively bestowing favor and benefits.
- Significance: This active, future-tense verb denotes God's assured and certain action. Divine blessing is multifaceted, encompassing spiritual favor, physical well-being, material provision, protection, peace, and fruitfulness. Unlike the empty "blessings" promised by idols, God's blessings are real and transformative, demonstrating His active engagement with His people in line with His covenant faithfulness.
- those who fear (אֵת יִרְאֵי - ʾēt yirʾei):
- Word: "Those who fear" is from the root יָרֵא (yare), referring to an awe, reverence, or deep respect for God. This respect is coupled with obedience, humble submission to His authority, and a desire to please Him, stemming from an understanding of His holiness and power.
- Significance: This identifies the specific group eligible for divine blessing. "Fearing the LORD" is a core biblical concept, central to wisdom literature (Prov 1:7) and covenant fidelity. It implies trust, obedience, humility, and a turning away from evil. It represents a fundamental posture of the heart and mind towards God, demonstrating loyal dependence rather than self-reliance or trust in false deities.
- the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH):
- Word: The Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God, indicating His self-existent and eternal nature.
- Significance: Using YHWH rather than generic terms for "God" emphasizes the specific, relational, and covenantal God of Israel. It distinguishes Him sharply from the false, powerless gods described earlier in the psalm, reinforcing that the blessing comes from the one true sovereign and living God, whose promises are unfailingly trustworthy.
- both small and great (הַקְּטַנִּים עִם־הַגְּדֹלִים - haqqəṭannîm ʿim-haggədōlîm):
- Word: Literally, "the small ones with the great ones." This is a common idiom in biblical Hebrew signifying all individuals within a community, encompassing everyone without exception or discrimination.
- Significance: This phrase emphasizes the impartiality and universality of God's blessing among those who fear Him. It means that God's favor is not limited by social status, wealth, power, age, influence, or any human-devised distinction. Whether one is humble or prominent, poor or rich, young or old, if they truly fear the LORD, they are equally subjects of His blessing. This reinforces that God looks upon the heart and upon genuine faith and reverence, not outward appearances or earthly categories, and affirms that all are equally precious in His sight.
Psalm 115 13 Bonus section
This verse acts as an encouragement, assuring that those who commit themselves to God's ways will be remembered and blessed by Him, contrasting with the futility of trusting in idols. The phrase "you who fear the LORD" in Psa 115:11 (immediately preceding our verse) often served as a broad category that could include not only Israelites but also devout Gentiles who worshipped Yahweh. This expands the reach of God's promised blessing beyond national or ethnic boundaries to all true worshipers, a concept further developed in the New Testament regarding faith in Christ. The blessing is not merely material; it includes the spiritual favor of God, His watchful care, and a secure relationship, reflecting His ongoing presence in the lives of His faithful ones.
Psalm 115 13 Commentary
Psalm 115:13 succinctly articulates a fundamental truth of divine providence: God's favor is assured for all who reverence Him, irrespective of their societal standing. Following a forceful denunciation of lifeless idols, the psalmist highlights the vibrant, active nature of Yahweh. The promise "He will bless" is a divine guarantee, signifying not mere well-wishing, but the active impartation of comprehensive well-being, security, and fruitfulness that only the living God can provide. The defining characteristic for receiving this blessing is "fearing the LORD"—a posture of awe, respectful obedience, and faithful devotion. This isn't a transactional bargain but a relational outcome of true worship. Furthermore, the inclusion of "both small and great" underscores God's absolute impartiality. His blessings are not confined to the prominent or withheld from the humble. They are freely extended to every individual who embraces this foundational spiritual disposition, demonstrating God's inclusive care and underscoring that His regard transcends human hierarchies. This verse provides assurance that no one is overlooked by the Giver of all good things, if their heart is rightly inclined towards Him.