Psalms 33:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Let all the earth fear ADONAI! Let all living in the world stand in awe of him.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let all the earth^{H776} fear^{H3372} the LORD^{H3068}: let all the inhabitants^{H3427} of the world^{H8398} stand in awe^{H1481} of him.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Psalms 33:8

Psalm 33:8, "Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him," is part of a larger hymn of praise found in Psalms, which is a collection of poetic songs and prayers in the Hebrew Bible. This particular verse emphasizes a universal call to reverence for the LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel. The themes of fearing God and standing in awe of Him are recurrent in the Hebrew Scriptures, reflecting the belief that God's power, majesty, and holiness are such that they demand respect and reverence from all creation.

The historical context of the Psalms, including Psalm 33, spans many centuries, from the time of King David (c. 10th century BCE) to the post-exilic period (after 539 BCE). While the authorship and exact dating of individual psalms can be difficult to ascertain, they were often used in the worship at the Jerusalem Temple and in synagogues. Psalm 33 does not reference specific historical events, which allows it to transcend time and speak to the universal nature of God's sovereignty.

In this verse, the psalmist is calling not just the people of Israel but all inhabitants of the world to acknowledge and fear God. The term "fear" here does not imply terror but rather a profound respect and reverence for God's greatness, justice, and power. The verse also conveys the idea that God's authority extends beyond the nation of Israel to encompass the entire earth, which would have been a significant declaration in a polytheistic ancient world where many gods were thought to have limited, regional domains. The call to "stand in awe" suggests a deep, worshipful response to God's presence and actions in the world.

In summary, Psalm 33:8 is a declaration of the universal sovereignty of the LORD, calling all people to recognize and revere God's greatness and majesty. It reflects the monotheistic worldview of Judaism and serves as an invitation to all humanity to worship the one true God who is worthy of awe and respect from every corner of the earth.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3372
   There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרֵא
   Transliteration: yârêʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
   Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8398
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תֵּבֵל
   Transliteration: têbêl
   Pronunciation: tay-bale'
   Description: from יָבַל; the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as Babylonia, Palestine; habitable part, world.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1481
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוּר
   Transliteration: gûwr
   Pronunciation: goor
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely.