But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't suggest that God's forgiveness exists so that we can get away with sin, but rather that the very existence of forgiveness is what inspires the deepest, reverent fear of Him. This isn't a dread of punishment, but a profound awe that recognizes the immense value of what God has forgiven.
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is in a deep place of distress, crying out to God from the depths of his sin and suffering. He's acknowledged his iniquities and is looking for God's intervention, realizing that his only hope lies in God's merciful nature. This verse highlights the core of his plea: God's capacity to forgive is the very reason he can confidently approach Him, rather than despairing.
We often see forgiveness and fear as opposites. But what if God's forgiveness is the very thing that teaches us to truly fear Him?
The psalmist declares, "But there is forgiveness with you." This isn't just a casual statement; it's a profound truth about God's character and His covenant relationship with His people.
God's Readiness to Forgive
The verse links forgiveness directly to being 'feared.' What kind of 'fear' is this, and why does forgiveness lead to it?
The 'fear' mentioned here isn't the cowering dread of a slave facing a cruel master. It’s a deep, reverent awe that arises from understanding God's holy nature and His incredible mercy.
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The Nature of Godly Fear
Understand the original words
selichah · Hebrew Noun
The gracious act of God removing the debt of sin and pardoning the sinner, making reconciliation possible.
yare · Hebrew Verb
A reverential awe, respect, and deep submission to God, born out of an understanding of His holiness and His gracious power to forgive.
This passage describes God as 'abounding in steadfast love, and forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty.' It directly links God's forgiveness with His character, echoing the psalmist's insight that forgiveness is intrinsically tied to God's nature and purpose.
Jeremiah 33:8-9Here, God promises to cleanse His people from all their iniquity and forgive them, stating that Jerusalem will be a name of joy, praise, and glory to all nations. This shows God's forgiveness as a means to establish His glory and a righteous reputation on earth, similar to how Psalm 130:4 suggests forgiveness leads to God being feared.
Romans 2:4Paul asks if we despise the riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads us to repentance. This highlights how the very kindness and forgiveness offered by God are intended to draw people to a place of humble reverence and repentance.
1 John 1:9This verse assures believers that if they confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. It grounds the reality of forgiveness in God's faithfulness and justice, making it a foundational truth for approaching Him with confidence and awe.
clarkePsalms 130:4: "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared."
But there is forgiveness with thee - Thou canst forgive; mercy belongs to thee, as well as judgment. The doctrine here is the doctrine of St. John: "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord hath spoken!" Jesus has died…
ellicottPsalms 130:4: "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared."
(4) But. —Rather, for, marking an ellipse easily supplied. Israel’s sense of Jehovah’s readiness to forgive was too deep to need expression, it was understood; “Thou wilt not mark, &c, for . . .” Forgiveness.—The article in the original may be more than that common with abstract nouns. “The forgiveness we need.” That thou mayest be feared.—Either that the forgiven ones may become more profoundly religious, or perhap…
The verse doesn't suggest that God's forgiveness exists so that we can get away with sin, but rather that the very existence of forgiveness is what inspires the deepest, reverent fear of Him. This isn't a dread of punishment, but a profound awe that recognizes the immense value of what God has forgiven.
The psalmist is in a deep place of distress, crying out to God from the depths of his sin and suffering. He's acknowledged his iniquities and is looking for God's intervention, realizing that his only hope lies in God's merciful nature. This verse highlights the core of his plea: God's capacity to forgive is the very reason he can confidently approach Him, rather than despairing.
The psalmist is in a deep place of distress, crying out to God from the depths of his sin and suffering. He's acknowledged his iniquities and is looking for God's intervention, realizing that his only hope lies in God's merciful nature. This verse highlights the core of his plea: God's capacity to forgive is the very reason he can confidently approach Him, rather than despairing.
"But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared." — The verse doesn't suggest that God's forgiveness exists so that we can get away with sin, but rather that the very existence of forgiveness is what inspires the deepest, reverent fear of Him. This…
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Last reviewed October 2026