Psalm 33 8

Psalm 33:8 kjv

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psalm 33:8 nkjv

Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

Psalm 33:8 niv

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.

Psalm 33:8 esv

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

Psalm 33:8 nlt

Let the whole world fear the LORD,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.

Psalm 33 verses

Psalm 33 8 Meaning

Psalm 33:8 is a universal imperative calling all humanity to acknowledge and revere the Lord God. It demands that every inhabitant of the earth express profound reverence and stand in awe of His supreme power, authority, and holiness. This "fear" is not one of terror but a deep, worshipful respect stemming from a recognition of His majestic nature as Creator and Sovereign over all things.

Psalm 33 8 Context

Psalm 33 is a majestic hymn praising the Lord for His sovereign power and faithfulness. The preceding verses (6-7) declare God as the mighty Creator who spoke the world into existence and gathered the waters, demonstrating His effortless power and command over all creation. Verse 8 naturally flows from this declaration, presenting the universal and appropriate response to such a powerful and sovereign God. It emphasizes that this God is not merely the God of Israel, but the Ruler over "all the earth" and "all the inhabitants of the world." Historically, this might stand in subtle polemic against the polytheistic views of surrounding nations, where no single deity commanded such absolute, universal awe and dominion over both creation and humanity. The Psalm continues by contrasting the futility of human plans and reliance on human might with the enduring wisdom and unfailing counsel of God (vv. 10-17), reinforcing the need for humanity to look to Him in reverence and trust.

Psalm 33 8 Word analysis

• Let (יֵרְאוּ, yire'u): This is a jussive form of the verb "to fear" (יָרֵא, yare'). It functions as a strong imperative or command, indicating a divine expectation or a fervent plea. It means "they must fear" or "let them indeed fear."
• all the earth (כָּל־הָאָרֶץ, kol-ha'arets): Kol means "all" or "every." Ha'arets means "the land" or "the earth." Here, it signifies the entire planet, encompassing both its physical aspects and all who dwell upon it. It stresses the universal scope of the command.
• fear (יָרֵא, yare'): This "fear" is not terror or cowering in fright, but a profound reverence, respect, and awe. It's a deep, wholesome response to God's holiness, majesty, and power, leading to obedience and worship. It is the acknowledgement of His rightful position as the ultimate authority. (Pro 9:10, Psa 111:10)
• the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing His personal, eternal, and unchanging nature. This name underscores that it is the one true, self-existent God who is to be universally revered, distinguishing Him from any other purported deities.
• let all the inhabitants of the world (כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, kol-yoshevei tevel):
  • all the inhabitants: Reinforces the comprehensive, global reach of the command to all people, all races, and all nations.
  • the world (תֵבֵל, tevel): This term specifically refers to the habitable world or the dry land. While eretz can also mean "land," tevel distinctively emphasizes the realm where humanity dwells, thereby pinpointing the direct objects of this divine command – human beings across the entire globe.
• stand in awe of Him! (וְיָגוּרוּ מִמֶּנּוּ, veyaguru mimenu):
  • stand in awe (וְיָגוּרוּ, veyaguru): From the root גּוּר (gur), which can mean to sojourn or to dread/tremble. In this context, it signifies a deep, internal tremor, a profound, respectful dread, or a holy awe in the presence of God's majestic power. It means to be struck with respectful fear or dread.
  • of Him!: Directs this awe explicitly towards God Himself. This phrase creates a powerful poetic parallelism with "fear the Lord," amplifying the call for universal and deep reverence. It implies being overwhelmed by His greatness.

Psalm 33 8 Bonus section

• The parallelism in Psalm 33:8—"fear the Lord" and "stand in awe of Him"—is a powerful poetic device. It emphasizes the single, unified message of profound reverence by restating and intensifying it with different, yet complementary, Hebrew terms (yare' and gur), ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the commanded response.
• This verse carries a prophetic resonance, anticipating a future eschatological reality where every nation and all of creation will indeed recognize and worship the Lord (Phil 2:10-11, Rev 15:4).
• The imperatives used ("let all... fear," "let all... stand in awe") are not optional suggestions but forceful commands, underscoring the absolute obligation humanity has to its Creator.
• The combination of "earth" (eretz) and "world" (tevel) is more than mere repetition; it meticulously includes both the physical planet and specifically its human inhabitants, leaving no corner of creation or human existence outside the scope of God's dominion and the requirement to respond to Him.

Psalm 33 8 Commentary

Psalm 33:8 issues a definitive, global injunction for humanity to recognize and respond to the incomparable majesty of God. Following verses that extoll God as the effortless Creator through His very Word, this verse declares the fitting universal human response: profound reverence and trembling awe. It's a call not merely for intellectual assent but for a comprehensive, humble, and reverent acknowledgement of God's unchallengeable sovereignty and power over every aspect of existence. This awe manifests as deep respect, obedience, and worship, transcending geographical or cultural boundaries. It reminds all that God's authority is absolute, compelling a submission born out of His supreme worthiness and omnipotence.