Psalms 115:13

KJV

He will bless them that fear the LORD, [both] small and great.

KJV (with Strong's)

He will bless {H1288} them that fear {H3373} the LORD {H3068}, both small {H6996} and great {H1419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he will bless those who fear ADONAI, great and small alike.

Berean Standard Bible

He will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.

American Standard Version

He will bless them that fear Jehovah, Both small and great.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 115:13 offers a profound and inclusive assurance of divine blessing, declaring that God’s favor extends universally to all who hold Him in reverent awe, irrespective of their social standing, wealth, or earthly distinctions. This verse encapsulates a foundational biblical truth: genuine, awe-filled reverence for the Lord is the pathway to experiencing His comprehensive and impartial blessing, encompassing every aspect of life for both the humble and the exalted within His covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 115:13 is strategically positioned within a psalm that presents a stark theological contrast between the living, active, and sovereign God of Israel and the lifeless, impotent idols of the surrounding nations. The psalm opens by redirecting all praise from Israel to God's steadfast love and faithfulness, directly challenging the mocking taunt of the pagans, "Where is their God?" found in [Psalms 115:2](/psalms/115-2 "Psalms 115:2 - Where is their God?"). Verses 4-8 vividly depict the utter futility of idols—they possess mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, hands but cannot feel—emphasizing their inherent powerlessness and the folly of trusting in them. In sharp contrast, verses 9-11 issue a powerful, tripartite call to trust in the Lord, addressed sequentially to "O Israel," "O house of Aaron," and "you who fear the LORD." Each group is assured that the Lord is their "help and their shield." Verse 12 then affirms God's unwavering remembrance of His people and His explicit intention to bless them, setting the immediate theological and narrative stage for verse 13. This verse specifies *who* will receive this promised blessing and highlights the remarkably inclusive scope of His divine favor. The psalm culminates in [Psalms 115:18](/psalms/115-18 "Psalms 115:18 - Bless the Lord"), with a resounding call for God's people to bless the Lord from that time forth and forevermore, reinforcing the theme of perpetual worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm likely originated from a post-exilic period or a time of significant national distress, during which Israel faced considerable pressure from surrounding polytheistic nations and their idolatrous practices. The psalm's emphatic assertion of Yahweh's absolute uniqueness and omnipotence served as a crucial theological bulwark against the constant temptation of syncretism and idolatry. In the ancient Near East, the worship of numerous deities was commonplace, and the perceived efficacy of a particular god was often judged by the prosperity, power, and military success of its devotees. Psalms 115 directly challenges this prevailing worldview by unequivocally asserting that the true God is not a human construct or confined to earthly temples, but is sovereign over all creation, dwelling majestically in the heavens, as declared in [Psalms 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Psalms 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens"). The distinction between "small and great" within the verse reflects the deeply hierarchical social structures prevalent in ancient societies, where social status often dictated access to resources, influence, and divine favor. The psalm's declaration that God blesses both categories powerfully underscores His impartiality and His accessibility to all within the covenant community, regardless of their societal standing, economic status, or age.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 115:13 contributes profoundly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Foremost among these is the **Sovereignty and Uniqueness of Yahweh**, which is powerfully contrasted with the utter impotence of human-made idols, thereby establishing Him as the sole and ultimate source of true blessing, help, and deliverance. This theological truth leads directly to the theme of **Trust and Reliance on God**, as the psalm repeatedly calls for Israel to place their unwavering confidence in the Lord, who alone is truly able to deliver, protect, and provide. The central condition for receiving divine blessing, "fearing the LORD," introduces the profound theme of **Reverence and Obedience**. This highlights that a proper, covenantal relationship with God is founded not on servile dread, but on an awe-filled respect that naturally leads to a life of humble submission and adherence to His divine commands. This concept is a cornerstone of wisdom literature, where the [fear of the Lord is consistently presented as the beginning of wisdom](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom") and knowledge. Finally, the inclusive phrase "both small and great" emphatically underscores the **Impartiality and Inclusivity of God's Blessing**. This demonstrates that His favor is not limited by human distinctions of wealth, status, or power, but is extended graciously to all who meet the spiritual condition of genuine reverence, foreshadowing later New Testament declarations of [equality in Christ](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Equality in Christ") for all believers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bless (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** This primitive root verb, frequently encountered throughout the Old Testament, signifies the active bestowal of favor, prosperity, abundance, and well-being from a superior (God) to an inferior (humanity). It implies a divine act of empowerment, provision, and enablement, resulting in flourishing across various dimensions of life—material, spiritual, and relational. In this context, the future tense "He will bless" conveys a certain and unwavering promise, not a mere possibility, indicating God's steadfast intention to act benevolently on behalf of those who fear Him.
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** More than simple terror or fright, _yârêʼ'_ in this theological context denotes a profound and active sense of awe, reverence, respect, and worship directed towards God. It encompasses acknowledging His absolute sovereignty, perfect holiness, and infinite power, which naturally leads to a humble, obedient, and devoted lifestyle. It describes a posture of the heart that recognizes God's majestic greatness and responds with trust, deep devotion, and an earnest desire to please Him by living in accordance with His revealed will. This "fear" is consistently presented as the foundational cornerstone of true wisdom and a right, covenantal relationship with God.
* **Small and Great (Hebrew, _qâṭân_ and _gâdôwl'_):** This is a classic example of a **merism**, a literary device that employs two contrasting parts to represent a comprehensive whole. "Small" (Hebrew, _qâṭân'_) refers to those of humble status, lesser influence, younger age, or limited means. "Great" (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_) refers to those of high standing, significant power, older age, or abundant wealth. Together, these terms signify *everyone* without exception, emphasizing God's universal and impartial blessing that transcends all human social, economic, age-based, or hierarchical distinctions. It underscores that God's favor is available to all who meet the spiritual condition, regardless of their earthly position.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He will bless them that fear the LORD":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes the divine agent ("He," referring to Yahweh, the LORD) and articulates the specific, spiritual condition for receiving His favor. The use of the future tense, "will bless," conveys absolute certainty and divine intention, highlighting God's unwavering commitment. The recipients are not a random group, but specifically "them that fear the LORD," emphasizing that a reverent, worshipful, and obedient relationship with God is the indispensable prerequisite for experiencing His promised benefits. This "fear" is not a cowering dread but an active, transformative, and awe-filled reverence that profoundly shapes one's entire life and conduct.
* **"[both] small and great":** This concluding phrase expansively defines the scope of the blessing, underscoring its profound inclusivity and universality. It explicitly clarifies that God's blessing is not reserved for an elite few, nor is it limited by human-contrived hierarchies or distinctions. Whether one occupies the lowest rung of society or sits upon a throne, whether one is a child or an elder, poor or rich, God's favor is equally accessible, promised, and bestowed upon all who meet the spiritual qualification of fearing Him. This powerfully underscores God's impartiality, His comprehensive care for all His people, and His disregard for human-imposed social barriers.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 115:13 masterfully employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Merism**, evident in the phrase "small and great," which uses two contrasting terms to represent the entire spectrum or totality of humanity. This device powerfully communicates the universality and inclusivity of God's blessing, indicating that it extends to everyone without exception, regardless of their social standing, age, or influence. There is also a strong emphasis on **Divine Action**, highlighted by the repeated use of "He will bless" in the preceding verse (Psalms 115:12) and this one, underscoring God's active involvement, intentionality, and sovereign power in bestowing favor upon His people. The verse also functions as a concise yet potent **Summary Statement**, encapsulating a core message of divine blessing that is contingent upon genuine reverence, a recurring and foundational theme throughout biblical wisdom literature and the Psalms. Furthermore, the direct, declarative tone of the verse lends an undeniable air of **Certainty** to the promise, reinforcing the psalmist's profound confidence in God's faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 115:13 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and His steadfast covenantal commitment to His people. It reinforces the theological truth that God is not a distant, indifferent, or capricious deity, but an active, benevolent, and intimately involved Father who delights in blessing those who honor Him. This verse directly connects the concept of divine blessing to the "fear of the Lord," a foundational theme in biblical wisdom literature, where it is consistently presented as the beginning of knowledge, the path to life, and the very essence of true piety. It underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship: as humanity offers genuine reverence and humble obedience, God responds with abundant favor, provision, and protection. The impartiality expressed in "both small and great" serves as a remarkable Old Testament foreshadowing of the New Testament revelation of God's boundless grace extended to all people, breaking down societal barriers and emphasizing that spiritual standing, not earthly status, is what truly matters in His kingdom.

* [Proverbs 10:27](/proverbs/10-27 "Proverbs 10:27 - The Fear of the Lord Prolongs Life")
* [Luke 1:50](/luke/1-50 "Luke 1:50 - His Mercy is on Those Who Fear Him")
* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 115:13 offers immense encouragement and a clear, timeless directive for contemporary believers. It powerfully reminds us that our God is not an abstract philosophical concept but a living, active, and supremely benevolent being who is intimately involved in the lives of His people and deeply committed to their holistic well-being. The call to "fear the LORD" is not an invitation to live in cowering dread, but rather to cultivate a profound, awe-filled reverence that permeates and shapes our entire existence. This reverence manifests as unwavering trust in His character, joyful obedience to His commands, and a humble acknowledgment of His absolute sovereignty in every circumstance of life. In a world often obsessed with status, wealth, and human achievement, this verse powerfully reorients our perspective, assuring us that God's blessing is not contingent on our worldly standing or accomplishments but solely on our spiritual posture and relationship with Him. It levels the playing field, reminding us that whether we are prominent leaders or quiet servants, our access to God's boundless favor is equally open and assured, provided we walk in humble reverence before Him. This divine promise liberates us from the exhausting striving for human approval and invites us instead to rest securely in the certain, impartial, and comprehensive blessing of our faithful God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "fearing the LORD" truly mean in your daily life, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to practical, lived experience?**
* **How does the promise of God blessing "both small and great" challenge any lingering perceptions you might hold about who is truly worthy or deserving of divine favor?**
* **In what specific, tangible ways can you intentionally cultivate a deeper sense of awe, reverence, and humble submission for God in your personal devotion and communal worship?**
* **How might acknowledging God's impartiality in bestowing blessing profoundly impact your interactions, attitudes, and service towards people from vastly different social, economic, or cultural backgrounds?**

### FAQ
**Does "fear the LORD" mean being afraid of God?**

Answer: No, in this profound biblical context, "fear the LORD" (Hebrew: _yârêʼ'_) does not primarily mean to be terrified of God, although it certainly encompasses a healthy acknowledgment of His immense power, holiness, and righteous judgment, which can inspire a reverent awe. Rather, it signifies a deep, abiding reverence, profound respect, and awe-filled submission to God's majestic authority and divine will. It is a spiritual posture of the heart that leads to willing obedience, unwavering trust, and an earnest desire to live in alignment with His revealed character and commands. It is akin to the respectful awe and honor a loving child might have for a wise, powerful, and benevolent parent, leading to obedience and honor rather than cowering terror. This reverential fear is consistently presented throughout Scripture as the foundational principle for true wisdom, understanding, and a right, flourishing relationship with God, as powerfully articulated in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 115:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament promises blessing to those who "fear the LORD" through covenant obedience, the New Testament reveals that true reverence and access to God's comprehensive blessing are now perfectly mediated through faith in Christ. Jesus Himself embodies the perfect "fear of the Lord," living a life of absolute obedience and unwavering devotion to the Father, even to the point of His sacrificial death on the cross, as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death"). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has opened the way for all humanity, "both small and great," to enter into a reconciled relationship with God, not based on their own merit, social standing, or adherence to the Law, but solely on His finished work. The "blessing" promised in this Psalm is fully realized in the immeasurable spiritual blessings we receive in Christ, including reconciliation with God, adoption as beloved sons and daughters, redemption through His blood, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as beautifully articulated in [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ"). In Christ, the dividing walls of hostility are broken down, and there is no longer Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Him, as declared in [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Equality in Christ"). Thus, the universal and impartial blessing of God, once contingent on a reverential fear expressed through the Old Covenant, is now freely and abundantly bestowed upon all who believe in the Lord Jesus, who is Himself the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making us righteous and eternal recipients of God's unending favor and grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 112:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Luke 1:50

And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Psalms 128:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Blessed [is] every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

Psalms 128:4

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

Psalms 128:5

The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Psalms 29:11

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Revelation 19:5

¶ And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.