Psalm 130 4

Psalm 130:4 kjv

But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Psalm 130:4 nkjv

But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

Psalm 130:4 niv

But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Psalm 130:4 esv

But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

Psalm 130:4 nlt

But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.

Psalm 130 verses

Psalm 130 4 Meaning

Psalm 130:4 reveals a foundational truth about God: His unique possession of forgiveness. This divine characteristic is the basis for humanity to rightly "fear" Him. This fear is not a servile dread or terror of punishment, but a profound reverence, holy awe, and humble submission born from the understanding of His immense grace and willingness to pardon sin. It acknowledges His authority, His holiness, and His mercy, leading to worship and obedience out of gratitude rather than obligation or coercion.

Psalm 130 4 Context

Psalm 130 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for annual feasts or by Levites as they ascended the temple steps. It is a powerful prayer of desperation and hope, a "De Profundis" (Out of the Depths), voiced from a place of deep trouble and guilt. The psalmist begins by crying out from the "depths" of sin and distress (v. 1). He acknowledges God's authority to hold sin against humanity (v. 3), but then immediately shifts to God's unique attribute: forgiveness (v. 4). This pivotal verse introduces the solution to the human condition described in the preceding verses. The psalmist understands that if God were to keep a strict account of sins, no one could stand (v. 3). Yet, God's nature is such that He provides pardon, specifically to foster a profound and rightful reverence, leading ultimately to hope for Israel's redemption (v. 7-8). Historically, this Psalm resonated with an ancient Israelite audience familiar with the cycles of sin, exile, and divine restoration, and a covenant relationship based on God's steadfast love and forgiveness.

Psalm 130 4 Word analysis

• But with You (כִּי עִמְּךָ - kî ‘immᵉḵā):
  • `But (כִּי - kî)`: This conjunction serves as an emphatic "indeed," "surely," or "for," marking a stark contrast to the prior verse (Psa 130:3), which contemplates God's strict justice. It shifts the focus from human inability to divine capacity.
  • `with You (עִמְּךָ - ‘immᵉḵā)`: Emphasizes God's unique and inherent possession of forgiveness. It’s not something humanity can earn or procure, but something that belongs to God's very nature and is found only in Him. This stands in contrast to pagan deities who often required specific rituals or appeasement to avert wrath, where forgiveness was not an inherent attribute but a conditional response to human action.
• forgiveness (סְלִיחָה - sᵉlîḥāh):
  • This noun appears only here and in Dan 9:9 in the entire Old Testament. It derives from the verb `סָלַח (sālakh)`, meaning "to pardon," "to forgive," or "to overlook/send away."
  • It signifies a complete blotting out or cancellation of sin and its guilt. It's not merely ignoring or excusing, but an act of sovereign divine grace that completely remits the deserved penalty and restores the relationship.
  • Its rarity underscores its unique divine origin and nature; it's a profound, radical act on God's part.
• that You may be feared (לְמַעַן תִּוָּרֵא - ləma‘an tivvārē’):
  • `that (לְמַעַן - ləma‘an)`: This Hebrew preposition expresses purpose, intention, or result, meaning "in order that," or "so that." It indicates that forgiveness is given for the purpose of fostering fear/reverence.
  • `You may be feared (תִּוָּרֵא - tivvārē’)`: This is the Nifal stem of the verb `יָרֵא (yāre’)`, meaning "to fear," "to revere," or "to stand in awe of."
  • The Nifal stem suggests a passive or reflexive sense – "that you be feared," implying that God’s act of forgiveness evokes this fear as a proper response.
  • This "fear" is distinct from cowering in terror or seeking to avoid punishment. Instead, it is a profound reverence and awe inspired by God's holiness, majesty, and particularly His unexpected and magnanimous mercy. When one realizes the extent of God’s forgiveness despite deserved judgment, a humble and grateful awe naturally arises, leading to a desire to honor Him and walk in obedience. This counters the common human response of presumption when given leniency or, conversely, despair when under condemnation. The true "fear of the Lord" leads to obedience (Psa 111:10), wisdom (Prov 1:7), and the avoidance of evil (Prov 8:13).

• Words-Group Analysis: "But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared":
  • This phrase beautifully captures the paradox of grace. Instead of strict accountability (Psa 130:3) leading to despair or cowering, God's nature to forgive actually cultivates genuine reverence. If God were unforgiving, humans would either rebel out of defiance, or worship Him out of abject terror, trying to appease a vengeful deity. But because God offers forgiveness, the natural, grateful response is a reverent awe and a desire to live righteously in response to His grace.
  • This statement serves as a polemic against paganism, which typically feared gods due to their unpredictable and wrathful nature, leading to worship driven by appeasement. The God of Israel, however, is to be feared precisely because He is merciful and gracious, which demands a different, profounder kind of worship rooted in gratitude and love.
  • The causal link `forgiveness -> fear` is critical. It implies that true godly fear is not earned by strict observance to laws before forgiveness, but is a spontaneous, humble, and obedient response to experiencing His pardoning grace. This is the foundation for a renewed, joyful, and deeply respectful relationship with God.

Psalm 130 4 Bonus section

• The connection between forgiveness and fear highlights that divine mercy does not cheapen God's holiness or justice, but rather brings them into proper perspective. It teaches that a right response to grace is not presumption, but profound reverence for the God who provides it.
• This "fear" is akin to the New Testament concept of serving God with "reverence and awe" (Heb 12:28). It is the proper, grateful human response to a gracious God.
• The rare word for "forgiveness" (סליחה) emphasizes that it is a unique divine prerogative, unavailable from any other source or power, distinguishing the God of Israel from all other gods.
• This verse can be understood as laying theological groundwork for the New Covenant understanding that love for God is proportionate to the understanding of how much one has been forgiven (Luke 7:47).

Psalm 130 4 Commentary

Psalm 130:4 stands as the turning point of a lament, transforming it into a song of hope. The psalmist moves from the awareness of overwhelming sin to the glorious reality of God's character. If God kept an account of iniquities, no one could stand (v. 3). But humanity's hope lies not in their own merit or capacity to make amends, but solely in God's intrinsic nature: He possesses forgiveness. This forgiveness is not a transaction, but a unilateral divine act. The purpose of this radical, freely-given pardon is profound: "that You may be feared." This is not a servile fear that cringes before a demanding master, but a deep, affectionate reverence. When a sinner grasps the infinite grace of a holy God who freely pardons, it inspires not license, but a profound humility and gratitude, leading to a holy awe that seeks to honor Him and avoid what displeases Him. It transforms dread into devotion, enabling a relationship based on grateful obedience rather than fearful compliance. It is this fear — born of forgiveness — that empowers true worship and leads to transformed living.