Psalms 130:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But there is forgiveness {H5547} with thee, that thou mayest be feared {H3372}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But with you there is forgiveness, so that you will be feared.

Berean Standard Bible

But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 130:4 declares the profound truth that God possesses forgiveness, and this divine attribute serves a specific, transformative purpose: to inspire reverential awe and worshipful submission in humanity. Emerging from a plea from the "depths" of sin and distress, this verse pivots to establish hope not in human merit, but in God's inherent character as a merciful forgiver. It reveals that the ultimate response to experiencing God's unmerited pardon is not presumptuousness, but a deep, humble, and loving fear that leads to obedience and adoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 130 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), likely sung by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for annual festivals. These psalms often reflect themes of journey, longing for God, communal solidarity, and reliance on divine protection and blessing. The psalm begins with a desperate cry "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD" [Psalm 130:1](/psalms/130-1 "Psalm 130:1 - A Cry from the Depths"), immediately establishing a context of profound distress, perhaps due to personal sin or national calamity. The psalmist acknowledges the impossibility of standing righteous if God were to "mark iniquities" [Psalm 130:3](/psalms/130-3 "Psalm 130:3 - God's Marking of Sins"), setting up a stark contrast that makes the declaration of forgiveness in verse 4 all the more powerful and pivotal. This verse acts as the theological bedrock, shifting the focus from human inability to divine capacity for grace, which then undergirds the psalmist's patient waiting for the Lord [Psalm 130:5](/psalms/130-5 "Psalm 130:5 - Waiting for the Lord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of the "Songs of Ascents" points to the pilgrimage tradition central to ancient Israelite worship, where individuals and families would travel to Jerusalem, the city of God, to celebrate feasts like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. This journey often involved communal singing and reflection, reinforcing their identity as God's people. The "depths" from which the psalmist cries could refer to literal physical danger, but more profoundly, it signifies the spiritual depths of guilt, despair, or alienation from God due to sin. In a culture where sin was understood to break covenant relationship and incur divine judgment, the concept of forgiveness was paramount. The Temple in Jerusalem served as the place where atonement was made, but this psalm emphasizes that true forgiveness ultimately resides with God Himself, transcending mere ritual. This understanding would have been crucial for pilgrims seeking reconciliation and reassurance of God's presence.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 130:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Forgiveness and Mercy**, asserting that God's character is fundamentally one of pardon, not merely judgment. This resonates with God's self-revelation to Moses as "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin" [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - God's Compassionate Character"). Secondly, the verse introduces the theme of **Reverential Fear (Awe)** as the proper response to God's forgiveness. This "fear" is not terror but a profound respect and worshipful submission, recognizing God's holiness and gracious power. It aligns with wisdom literature's declaration that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Beginning of Wisdom"). Finally, the verse underpins the theme of **Hope Grounded in God's Character**, demonstrating that even in the face of overwhelming sin, hope is possible because God is a God who delights in showing mercy and pardoning iniquity [Micah 7:18](/micah/7-18 "Micah 7:18 - God Delights in Mercy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forgiveness (Hebrew, _selichah'_):** This noun, derived from the verb _salach_ (to forgive), specifically denotes divine pardon. It is used exclusively in the context of God's forgiveness, never for human-to-human pardon. This emphasizes that the act of forgiving sin is uniquely God's prerogative and an act of His sovereign grace. It is not something earned or merited by human effort but is a free, unmerited gift from God, highlighting His compassionate nature and His power to absolve guilt.
* **Feared (Hebrew, _yira'_):** This word, often translated as "fear," carries a much richer meaning in biblical Hebrew than mere terror or dread. In this context, especially when linked with divine forgiveness, _yira'_ signifies a profound sense of awe, reverence, respect, and worshipful submission. It implies that God's mercy and willingness to pardon inspire a deeper, more loving obedience and adoration than any threat of judgment could. It is a holy fear that leads to a desire to honor God and live in accordance with His will, born out of gratitude for His immense grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But [there is] forgiveness with thee":** This clause serves as a powerful contrast to the preceding verses, which highlight the impossibility of standing before God if He were to mark iniquities. The "but" introduces a radical shift from human despair to divine hope. It asserts that forgiveness is not merely a concept or a possibility, but an inherent attribute of God's being; it "is with" Him, an intrinsic part of His character. This declaration is the foundation of the psalmist's hope, assuring that despite the overwhelming reality of sin, God's nature is to pardon.
* **"that thou mayest be feared":** This is a purpose clause, explaining *why* God possesses forgiveness. The ultimate goal of God's pardon is not to diminish His holiness or to encourage complacency in sin, but precisely the opposite: to cultivate a profound and reverential fear in His people. When individuals grasp the immensity of God's grace in pardoning their otherwise unforgivable sins, it inspires a deep sense of awe, gratitude, and a desire to live in humble obedience and worship. This "fear" is not a cowering dread, but a loving reverence that seeks to honor the God who has shown such boundless mercy.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is immediately evident, as the "but" pivots sharply from the preceding verses' emphasis on human sinfulness and inability to God's capacity for forgiveness. This creates a dramatic shift in tone from despair to hope. There is also a subtle **Paradox** at play: God's forgiveness, which might seem to lessen His authority or strictness, actually *increases* the reverential fear He inspires. It is precisely because He is so gracious that He is so worthy of awe and submission, demonstrating that His mercy is not weakness but a profound expression of His power and holiness. The phrase "that thou mayest be feared" functions as a **Purpose Clause**, clearly articulating the intended outcome and theological rationale behind God's attribute of forgiveness. This teleological statement highlights God's design for human response to His grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 130:4 encapsulates a core theological truth: God's forgiveness is not merely an act of leniency, but a profound demonstration of His holy character designed to elicit a specific, worshipful response from humanity. It reveals that true reverence for God is not born out of terror of judgment, but out of the overwhelming gratitude for His unmerited grace. This divine strategy ensures that forgiveness leads to deeper intimacy and obedience, rather than presumption. The psalmist understands that only a God who can forgive such deep sin is truly worthy of such profound awe and worship.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - God's Covenant Name and Character")
* [Romans 4:7-8](/romans/4-7 "Romans 4:7-8 - Blessedness of Forgiveness")
* [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom's Beginning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 130:4 offers profound comfort and transformative insight for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our awareness of sin, however deep or overwhelming, is not meant to lead to despair but to drive us to God, who alone possesses the power and desire to forgive. This verse challenges any notion that we must earn God's favor or appease Him through our own efforts; instead, it boldly proclaims that forgiveness is "with" Him, freely available. When we truly grasp the magnitude of this unmerited pardon, it cultivates a genuine and profound reverence for God – a "fear" that is not paralyzing dread but a loving awe. This awe inspires us to live in a way that honors Him, not out of compulsion or fear of punishment, but out of deep gratitude for His boundless mercy and grace. It transforms our hearts, leading us into a deeper, more worshipful, and obedient relationship with the One who has redeemed us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's forgiveness as an inherent part of His character change your perception of Him?**
* **In what ways does knowing that God forgives inspire a deeper sense of awe and reverence in your own life?**
* **Do you tend to approach God more out of fear of judgment or out of gratitude for His mercy? How might this verse help reorient your perspective?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of reverential fear (awe) in response to God's forgiveness?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "fear" is meant by "that thou mayest be feared"? Is it terror?**

Answer: The "fear" (Hebrew: _yira'_) in Psalms 130:4 is not terror or dread, but rather a profound sense of awe, reverence, and worshipful respect. It's a recognition of God's immense power, holiness, and especially, His incredible grace in offering forgiveness. When we understand the depth of our sin and the cost of God's pardon, it inspires a humble, grateful, and obedient response. This "fear of the Lord" is often described in the Bible as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge"). It leads to a desire to honor God and live in alignment with His will, not out of a cowering spirit, but out of a loving and grateful heart.

**How does God's forgiveness lead to His being "feared"?**

Answer: This is a beautiful paradox. If God were to strictly "mark iniquities" [Psalm 130:3](/psalms/130-3 "Psalm 130:3 - If You Marked Iniquities"), no one could stand. The natural response to a perfectly just God who sees every sin would be utter despair and terror. However, because God, in His infinite mercy, chooses to forgive, it reveals a depth of grace and power that is even more awe-inspiring. His willingness to pardon the undeserving demonstrates His holiness and love in a way that mere judgment could not. This unmerited favor inspires a profound sense of gratitude and a desire to honor Him, leading to a reverential fear that is born of love and appreciation, rather than dread. It's the realization that such a holy God would stoop to forgive us that truly humbles and transforms us, making us want to live in a way that pleases Him [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 130:4 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of human sin, offering Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, thereby making true and complete forgiveness available to all who believe [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice"). It is through His shed blood that we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood"). This divine act of forgiveness, enacted through Christ, truly inspires the deepest form of reverential fear. When we comprehend that the Son of God Himself paid the ultimate price for our rebellion, it cultivates an awe that transcends mere human understanding. Our response to such immeasurable love and grace is not one of terror, but of profound gratitude, worshipful submission, and a desire to live in loving obedience, empowered by the Holy Spirit, out of reverence for the One who has redeemed us from the depths of sin and brought us into His glorious light [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom").

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

Jeremiah 33:8

And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

Jeremiah 33:9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Daniel 9:9

To the Lord our God [belong] mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

Psalms 86:5

For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

1 Kings 8:39

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, [even] thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

1 Kings 8:40

That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.