Psalm 119 120

Psalm 119:120 kjv

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Psalm 119:120 nkjv

My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.

Psalm 119:120 niv

My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

Psalm 119:120 esv

My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

Psalm 119:120 nlt

I tremble in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your regulations.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 120 Meaning

Psalm 119:120 expresses the psalmist's profound, visceral awe and reverent fear before the holy God and His just decrees and actions. His very body, "flesh," physically reacts to the dread of God's perfect and unavoidable judgments. This is not a servile fear of punishment, but a holy apprehension born from understanding God's absolute righteousness, His power to execute justice, and the serious consequences of disobedience.

Psalm 119 120 Context

Psalm 119 is an extended acrostic poem, each stanza dedicated to the various synonyms for God's divine revelation and law (e.g., word, statutes, judgments, commandments, precepts, decrees, ordinances, law, testimonies). It is a meditation on the beauty, wisdom, and transformative power of God's word. The psalmist expresses deep love, delight, and obedience to the Torah. Within this context of cherishing God's law, verse 120 introduces a complementary but equally crucial aspect: the profound reverence and healthy fear of the Lawgiver Himself. It underscores that while God's word is beloved, the one who gave it is holy, just, and omnipotent, holding ultimate authority to execute judgment. Historically, this aligns with the Israelite understanding of Yahweh as both a covenant-making God who loves His people and a righteous judge who demands obedience and punishes transgression. There's an indirect polemic against casual religiosity or presuming on God's mercy without regard for His holiness and justice, which could have been present in surrounding cultures or within Israel itself.

Psalm 119 120 Word analysis

• My flesh: (בְּשָׂרִי, b'sari) - From the Hebrew word בָּשָׂר (basar), meaning "flesh," "body," "meat," but often used idiomatically for the whole person or the human being in their frailty and physicality. Here, it emphasizes a holistic, physiological response, not merely an intellectual apprehension. The psalmist feels this fear deeply, at the core of his physical being.
• trembles: (סָמַר, samar) - This verb implies a bristling, standing on end, or shuddering sensation. It conveys a strong, involuntary, physical manifestation of terror or dread, akin to hair standing on end or a sudden shiver running down the spine. It paints a picture of intense emotional and bodily response.
• for fear of you; (מִפַּחְדֶּךָ, miffachdecha) - פַּחַד (pachad) refers to a deep dread, awe, or terror. In biblical usage, "fear of the LORD" (yirat Yahweh) is often a positive, reverent awe that leads to wisdom and obedience, distinguishing it from paralyzing terror. However, pachad often highlights the more unsettling, terrifying aspect of encountering the divine, especially when contemplating judgment. Here, it denotes an overwhelming reverence born of a recognition of God's terrible majesty and power.
• I am afraid (יָרֵאתִי, yareti) - This verb comes from יָרֵא (yare), which means to fear, respect, reverence, or be afraid. It is the more common biblical term for "fear of God." It encapsulates both reverential awe and the possibility of genuine dread. Its inclusion here reinforces and reiterates the psalmist's profound emotional state, emphasizing an enduring state of respectful apprehension.
• of your judgments. (וּמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶיךָ, umimishpateycha) - From מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), meaning judgment, justice, decree, or ordinance. This term encompasses God's righteous acts of governance, His laws, and His acts of administering justice, including retribution and punishment for sin. It's not just intellectual awareness of laws, but the terrifying reality of their enforcement and consequences.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• My flesh trembles for fear of you: This phrase vividly portrays the psalmist's deep reverence. It shows that his spiritual understanding of God's holiness and power elicits a profound physical and emotional reaction. It's an internal tremor, a profound shaking before the divine presence, rooted in His absolute majesty and holiness.
• I am afraid of your judgments: This second part reinforces the object and specific cause of this awe—God's judgments. It's not merely God's power in general, but His perfect, inescapable justice, which applies to all creation. This understanding leads to a solemn caution and a desire to walk blamelessly before Him. The parallelism amplifies the message: the fear of You leads to fear of Your judgments.

Psalm 119 120 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a crucial tension within the believer's walk: loving God's word deeply while also maintaining a profound, reverent fear of God's Person and His divine retribution. This holy fear serves as a practical, constant motivator for obedience and spiritual humility, preventing pride or spiritual complacency. It implies a "cautious approach" to life lived before the all-seeing eyes of God, recognizing that ultimately, all will give an account of themselves before His just "judgments." It stands as a contrast to modern spiritual approaches that may overemphasize God's love and grace without adequately representing His formidable holiness and righteous wrath against sin. This balance of love and fear is essential for true discipleship.

Psalm 119 120 Commentary

Psalm 119:120 is a powerful expression of godly fear, a hallmark of true biblical piety. The psalmist, who throughout this long psalm repeatedly expresses delight and love for God's word, here reveals a complementary aspect: a healthy, sobering reverence for the divine Lawgiver Himself and His just execution of His word. This "fear" is not antithetical to love but is rather its indispensable partner. It implies a recognition of God's infinite holiness, perfect righteousness, and absolute power to discern and punish sin. The physical "trembling" of his "flesh" signifies that this is not a superficial sentiment but a deep, all-encompassing emotional and spiritual state. It prevents casualness towards sin and God's commands. Such holy fear is a safeguard against presumption and fuels a passionate pursuit of holiness, encouraging vigilance against disobedience out of an awareness of the severe and just consequences of unrighteousness.