Psalms of the Ascents: Blessings for Those who Fear God

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Psalm 128:1

How happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!

(CSB)

Although fear is not from God, the Bible also tells us that fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 1:7).  Acts 9:31 records how the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and received strength by living in the fear of the Lord.  However, we are not to live in fear of what men can do to us for we know that God is always with us (Hebrews 13:5-6). 

The solution to these contradictions in Scripture is knowing the biblical nature of fear.  The common view of fear is the opposite of courage.  The truth, however, is that fear is an emotion and just like any other emotion a part of how God has made us.  The enemy can take these emotions and corrupt them, bringing us harm. 

Satan can take fear of what people can do to us and bring paranoia which paralyzes us, making us incapable of serving the Lord or others.  Instead of living in the peace and joy of the Lord, one paralyzed by fear believes people are out to get them, damaging their relationships with others.  Properly directed fear is fear of the Lord who could destroy us through His judgments but instead has given a way out through the shed blood of His son Jesus Christ.  The beginning of knowledge provided by the fear of the Lord is knowledge gained through allowing the fear of the Lord drive us to our knees in repentance for our sins, receiving complete forgiveness through God’s grace (Proverbs 1:7; Ephesians 2:8). 

According to the psalmist who wrote Psalm 128, the blessing of fearing the Lord is,

1)      Changing direction from God’s judgement to God’s grace (Psalm 128:1) – Walking in the way of the Lord is a two-step process.  The first step is repentance or changing direction by acknowledging that you have sinned and changing direction through confessing a belief that Jesus died for your sins (Romans 3:23; 10:9-10).  The second step is the continuing process of sanctification as one loses conformity to their old way of living and learn to live following the example of Christ and teachings of the Bible (Romans 12:2). 

2)      Financial security (Psalm 128:2) – The financial security in this verse is not a promise that one will be rich and live a lavish lifestyle, but that one will enjoy the fruits of their labor.  Much of what drives one to become a workaholic, ignoring family and friends, is a fear of losing all that they have worked for.  However, when we realize that God owns all that is in the world, with us having the privilege to use it, this fear goes away. 

3)      Family security (Psalm 128:3-4) – The dissolving influence of family stability in our modern culture is creating instability that threatens the very foundation of civilized society.  Ephesians 5:22-6:4 teaches us what makes up a Godly family.  The blessing of such a familial environment are children raised in the instruction of the Lord, something they will remember as they grow older (Proverbs 2:6).  The hope for the next generation is a return to godly family stability.

4)      A legacy of prosperity and peace (Psalm 128:5-6) – Financial and family security bless the nation and culture with prosperity and stability. 

My prayer for those reading this post is that they would develop a godly fear of the Lord and begin to abandon any fear of what people can do to them.  The development of Godly fear begins with acceptance of the gift of salvation provided by Jesus’ death on the cross.  If you have not already done so, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Fear of the Lord in your life is no longer a fear of condemnation but is now a reverential fear of worship of who God is and thankfulness for sending Jesus to die for your sins.  Allow this fear to captivate your life through prayer, study of the Bible, and regular attendance in church where you can worship God and learn more from the Bible.  I also encourage sharing of the blessings of fearing the Lord with others, so they too can experience these blessings in their life.