Fear of the Lord in Psalm 103

Fear of the Lord in Psalm 103

1. Introduction

In his book “The Knowledge of the Holy” in the first chapter, entitled “Why We Must Think Rightly About God”, A.W. Tozier makes the following assertion, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (Repeat slowly) As we delve into the topic of faith I believe that a correct understanding of the true nature of God is essential in practicing the kind of Christian life that we are called to live in the scripture.

I believe that one of our biggest problems when learning that when hearing that we are to “Trust in God and not lean on our understanding” is that we take God’s Awesome Character to lightly. This has allowed secular psychology to perpetrate the unbiblical concepts self esteem, self forgiveness and self reliance.

Please allow me to read the following excerpt from the previously mentioned book by Tozier mentioned earlier. On pages 110 and 111 he elaborates on the term “Fear of God” (which in the bible is referred to, as the beginning of wisdom) ………………read and speak of Paul in Acts 22:6-10.

It seems these days people would rather concentrate on the Mercy of God rather than his fear. The Bible takes the fear of God very seriously. In the Old Testament alone there are 158 verses directly relating to, or encouraging people to fear God. This however is part of the problem. Christians see the God of the Old Testament as one to be feared, but the God of the New as one that flows in mercy. We have to realise that the God of the Old, is also the God of the New. He flows in both grace and judgement just as much before as after He sent Jesus into the world. The God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old, is the same God that killed Ananias and Sapphira for their sin in the New. I counted almost 40 references in the new testament calling us to have a fear of God

Now in life we can fear many things. We can have a fear of the future, a fear of failure, a fear of losing our job, a fear of people, a fear of not looking good, or a fear of punishment. Many people, including Christians are trapped by these fears. There are now more phobia’s than ever before. While all these fears are increasing, one fear is decreasing, and that is a fear of God. It is decreasing not just in the world, but also in the church. Yet Jesus Himself said that this is the only fear that we should have.

Luke 12:4
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
5:But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

And how about David who knew God intimately and was referred to in scripture as a man after God’s own heart. He had experienced God’s wrath, His deliverance and His forgiveness? Let’s look at Psalm 103 which is attributed to David, together.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Psalms 103:1)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; (Psalms 103:2)

Who (#1) pardons all your iniquities,(#2) Who heals all your diseases; (Psalms 103:3)

Who (#3) redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; (Psalms 103:4)( instead of condemnation)

Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. (Psalms 103:5)(we are enabled to soar to new heights including the forgiveness of those who hurt us)

The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. (Psalms 103:6) (a frequent characteristic of God in scripture even though He doesn’t have to be this way)

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. (Psalms 103:7)

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. (Psalms 103:8)

He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. (Psalms 103:9)

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (Psalms 103:10) (if this is a character trait of God why should He expect differently of His children?)

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. (Psalms 103:11)

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)(not merely pushed them aside for another time)

Just as a father (we who are fathers can really grasp this analogy) has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. (Psalms 103:13)

For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. (Psalms 103:14)(we are nothing compared to HIM)

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. (Psalms 103:15)

When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. (Psalms 103:16)

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, (Psalms 103:17)

To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them. (Psalms 103:18)

The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. (Psalms 103:19)

Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength (archangels), who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! (Psalms 103:20)

Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. (Psalms 103:21)

Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul! (Psalms 103:22)

How do we live in the fear of the Lord that we have just spoken about ?

1. The first thing that we need in order to fear God is an encounter with God himself.

Whenever we encounter God and realize some of His power and Holiness then we are brought into fear. This is because we realize our own unworthiness in the face of His glory. Even Isaiah, one of the great prophets of old, considered himself a ruined man when he faced the glory of God in chapter 6 of Isaiah. ’Woe to me for I am a man of unclean lips.’ The first way that we can learn to fear God is to seek him for such an encounter. If we don’t our encounter with the Holiness of God can come at a time when we don’t expect it and aren’t ready for it.

2. Secondly, when we have a revelation of His Holiness we must realize that our sin will be revealed.