Psalm 2:11 kjv
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psalm 2:11 nkjv
Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Psalm 2:11 niv
Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Psalm 2:11 esv
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psalm 2:11 nlt
Serve the LORD with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Psalm 2 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 2:10 | Now therefore, O kings, be wise... be warned, O rulers of the earth. | Call to wisdom for rulers. |
| Ps 2:12 | Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way... | Implied consequence of not obeying Ps 2:11. |
| Ps 32:11 | Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! | Joy for the righteous. |
| Ps 33:1 | Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. | Similar call to righteous joy. |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Fear as foundational wisdom. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... | Fear as origin of true knowledge. |
| Deut 6:13 | It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve... | Direct command to fear and serve the Lord. |
| Deut 10:12 | What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God... | Requirement for all God's people: fear, walk, love, serve. |
| Josh 24:14 | Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. | Choose to fear and serve God. |
| Eccl 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. | Summary of human duty: fear and obey God. |
| Is 11:2-3 | The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding... the Spirit of the fear of the Lord... | Messianic prophecy; Spirit brings fear of the Lord. |
| Heb 12:28 | Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe... | New Testament call for worship with fear/awe. |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. | NT emphasis on consistent joy in the Lord. |
| 1 Pet 1:8-9 | Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy... | Joy in salvation, unseen Christ. |
| Jude 24 | Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy... | Joy in God's power and presentation of the saved. |
| Rom 12:11 | Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. | Exhortation to zealous service. |
| Col 3:24 | ...knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. | Serving Christ as serving the Lord. |
| 2 Cor 7:1 | ...let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. | Fear of God leads to purification. |
| Jer 32:39 | I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever... | God giving fear of Him for covenant keeping. |
| Hab 3:16 | I heard, and my body trembled; my lips quivered at the sound; rottenness entered into my bones; my legs trembled beneath me... | Example of physical trembling in awe/fear of God's power. |
| John 5:23 | ...that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. | Call to honor the Son (Messiah) in the same way as the Father. |
| Rom 15:10 | And again it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." | Joy inclusive of all who follow God. |
Psalm 2 verses
Psalm 2 11 Meaning
Psalm 2:11 exhorts humanity, particularly those in power, to acknowledge the supreme authority of the Lord (Yahweh) and His anointed King (Messiah). It calls for a life of active obedience and worship (serve) stemming from profound reverence and awe (fear) for God’s holiness and power, coupled with deep, humble rejoicing (rejoice) in His reign, even a joy that recognizes His majesty with respectful seriousness (trembling). This paradox underscores the balanced approach to truly submitting to and delighting in God.
Psalm 2 11 Context
Psalm 2 is a royal and Messianic psalm, speaking of the Lord’s universal reign and the divine appointment of His Son, the King Messiah. The chapter opens with the futile rebellion of the nations and their rulers against God and His Anointed One (v. 1-3). God responds with scorn, asserting His decree to enthrone His King on Zion (v. 4-6) and proclaiming the Son's eternal dominion (v. 7-9). Verse 11, along with verses 10 and 12, serves as a direct, urgent admonition to the rebellious kings and, by extension, all humanity. It calls for submission and homage to the Son before God's inevitable and fearsome judgment falls upon them. This verse bridges God’s warning with His grace, offering a path to blessedness through proper reverence and service.
Psalm 2 11 Word analysis
- Serve (עִבְד֣וּ - `'iv'du`): The imperative plural of `עָבַד` (avad), meaning to work, serve, worship, cultivate. It signifies active, intentional submission and obedience, encompassing both physical labor and religious devotion. This isn't passive agreement but diligent, purposeful engagement in God's will. Its use in religious contexts denotes worship and allegiance.
- the Lord (יְהוָ֑ה - `Yahweh`/YHWH): The unique, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existence, eternal presence, and covenant faithfulness. It emphasizes His supreme sovereignty as the one true God, distinct from any earthly deity or ruler. The call to serve Yahweh specifically roots this command in the ultimate divine authority.
- with fear (בְּיִרְאָֽה - `b'yir'ah`): `בְּ` (b'i) means "in" or "with," and `יִרְאָה` (yirah) denotes a profound, reverential awe, respect, or reverence, rather than mere terror or dread. It is an understanding of God’s majesty, holiness, power, and justice that compels right living and worship. This fear leads to obedience and wisdom, recognizing God’s rightful place as Sovereign over all.
- and rejoice (וְגִ֣ילוּ - `v'gilu`): The imperative plural of `גִּיל` (gil), meaning to exult, shout for joy, be glad. This implies an overflowing, celebratory happiness, a vibrant delight in something. It suggests that submission to the Lord should not be begrudging but accompanied by heartfelt joy and enthusiasm.
- with trembling (בִּרְעָדָֽה - `b'r'adah`): `בְּ` (b'i) means "in" or "with," and `רְעָדָה` (re'adah) means trembling, quivering, or a sense of awe-induced humility. This "trembling" isn't a paralysis of fear but a profound awareness of God's immense power, purity, and capacity for judgment. It balances the "rejoicing," ensuring that joy is not irreverent or complacent but sober, humble, and reverent in the face of such a magnificent God. It speaks to the holiness and dangerousness of God in His wrath (as seen in earlier verses of Ps 2) and also His awe-inspiring grace.
- "Serve the Lord with fear": This phrase describes the quality of true worship and obedience. It indicates that genuine service to Yahweh is not perfunctory but infused with a deep sense of reverence for His holiness and awe at His majesty. It means acknowledging His authority, avoiding sin, and seeking His favor, knowing that He is a holy and just God. This "fear" promotes wisdom and righteous living.
- "rejoice with trembling": This powerful pairing highlights a core biblical paradox: exuberant joy coexists with humble awe. The "trembling" adds gravity and soberness to the joy, preventing it from becoming light-minded or irreverent. It's a joy that flows from understanding God's ultimate power and kingship, especially as described in Psalm 2 regarding the Messiah's authority and forthcoming judgment. This humble joy is one that respects the boundaries of God’s holiness even as it delights in His salvation and presence. It signifies a profound emotional and spiritual response that acknowledges both God's love and His absolute justice.
Psalm 2 11 Bonus section
This verse encapsulates the essence of true, biblical worship, which is never solely celebratory or solely solemn, but a rich fusion of both. The seemingly paradoxical blend of "rejoice" and "trembling" demonstrates that knowing God fully involves acknowledging His dual nature as both merciful Father and righteous Judge, allowing for deep, abiding joy in His salvation while maintaining a sober, reverent understanding of His omnipotence and purity. It's a call to abandon reckless disregard for divine authority and embrace a reverential relationship that leads to peace (as indicated in v. 12, "Blessed are all who take refuge in Him"). This harmony of emotions and actions distinguishes God-honoring devotion from mere sentimentality or obligation. The verse also underscores the Messianic theme of the Psalm; serving Yahweh implies serving His Anointed Son, the very One against whom the nations raged.
Psalm 2 11 Commentary
Psalm 2:11 stands as a powerful and timeless call to all humanity, particularly those who rebel against God's sovereign rule. It presents a dual yet complementary command for interacting with the Lord: service marked by reverence, and joy mingled with solemn awe. This isn't merely a suggestion but an urgent exhortation for reconciliation, emphasizing that proper worship and submission to the divine King—the Lord and His Messiah—requires a careful balance. The "fear" is a humble, knowing respect for God's holy and omnipotent nature, prompting willing obedience and departure from evil. The "rejoicing" is not trivial but a deep-seated gladness in His gracious reign, yet it is tempered by "trembling," acknowledging His justice and power to judge. Thus, true service and delight in God arise from an accurate apprehension of His full character: both His grace that invites us to rejoice and His holiness that inspires awe, guiding believers to both joyful worship and serious devotion. This verse implies that a complete relationship with God integrates both delight and serious consideration of His commands and power.Practical usage example:
- In worship: Instead of flippant praise, Christians can offer exuberant songs while deeply aware of God's majesty and holiness.
- In obedience: Believers serve God with glad hearts, but also with seriousness about sin and the call to righteous living.
- In evangelism: We share the Good News of Christ with joy, but also with a sober understanding of His authority and the consequences of rejecting Him.