1. General Description

1. The fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom

Job 28:28

KJV ²⁸ And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. CEV ²⁸ God told us, “Wisdom means that you respect me, the Lord, and turn from sin.”

Psalm 111:10

KJV ¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. CEV ¹⁰ Respect and obey the Lord! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected.

Proverbs 1:7

KJV ⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. CEV ⁷ Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.

Proverbs 9:10

KJV ¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. CEV ¹⁰ Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God.

2. Not a slavish fear

Job 23:15

KJV ¹⁵ Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. CEV ¹⁵ Merely the thought of God All-Powerful

Ezra 9:4

KJV ⁴ Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice. CEV ⁴ until the time for the evening sacrifice. Many of our people were greatly concerned and gathered around me, because the God of Israel had warned us to stay away from foreigners.

Psalm 119:120

KJV ¹²⁰ My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. CEV ¹²⁰ I tremble all over when I think of you and the way you judge.

Habakkuk 3:16

KJV ¹⁶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. CEV ¹⁶ When I heard this message, I felt weak from fear, and my lips quivered. My bones seemed to melt, and I stumbled around. But I will patiently wait. Someday those vicious enemies will be struck by disaster.

2. Commands to fear God

Deuteronomy 6:13

KJV ¹³ Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. CEV ¹³ Worship and obey the Lord your God with fear and trembling, and promise that you will be loyal to him.

Deuteronomy 10:12

KJV ¹² And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, CEV Moses said: ¹² People of Israel, what does the Lord your God want from you? The Lord wants you to respect and follow him, to love and serve him with all your heart and soul,

Deuteronomy 10:20

KJV ²⁰ Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. CEV ²⁰ Respect the Lord your God, be faithful, and serve only him, making promises in his name.

1 Samuel 12:24

KJV ²⁴ Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. CEV ²⁴ You also must obey the Lord — you must worship him with all your heart and remember the great things he has done for you.

1 Kings 8:40

KJV ⁴⁰ That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. CEV ⁴⁰ Then your people will worship and obey you for as long as they live in the land you gave their ancestors.

2 Kings 17:36

KJV ³⁶ But the Lord, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. CEV ³⁶ Worship only me! I am the one who rescued you from Egypt with my mighty power. Bow down to me and offer sacrifices.

2 Kings 17:39

KJV ³⁹ But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. CEV ³⁹ except me. I am the Lord your God, and I will rescue you from all your enemies.

1 Chronicles 16:30

KJV ³⁰ Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. CEV ³⁰ Everyone on earth, now tremble!” The world stands firm, never to be shaken.

2 Chronicles 6:31

KJV ³¹ That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. CEV ³¹ Then your people will worship you and obey you for as long as they live in the land you gave their ancestors.

Psalm 33:8

KJV ⁸ Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. CEV ⁸ Everyone in this world should worship and honor the Lord!

Psalm 76:7

KJV ⁷ Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? CEV ⁷ Our God, you are fearsome, and no one can oppose you when you are angry.

Psalm 89:7

KJV ⁷ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. CEV ⁷ You are the most fearsome of all who live in heaven; all the others fear and greatly honor you.

Psalm 99:1

KJV ¹ The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. CEV ¹ Our Lord, you are King! You rule from your throne above the winged creatures, as people tremble and the earth shakes.

Psalm 114:7

KJV ⁷ Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; CEV ⁷ Earth, you will tremble, when the Lord God of Jacob comes near,

Psalm 96:9

KJV ⁹ O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. CEV ⁹ Everyone on earth, now tremble and worship the Lord, majestic and holy.”

Proverbs 3:7

KJV ⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. CEV ⁷ Don't ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the Lord and stay away from evil.

Ecclesiastes 5:2

KJV ² Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. CEV ² Don't talk before you think or make promises to God without thinking them through. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so don't talk too much.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

KJV ¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. CEV ¹³ Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about.

Isaiah 8:13

KJV ¹³ Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. CEV ¹³ I am the one you should fear and respect. I am the holy God, the Lord All-Powerful!

Jeremiah 5:22

KJV ²² Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? CEV ²² that you should worship me with fear and trembling? I'm the one who made the shore to hold back the ocean. Waves may crash on the beach, but they can come no farther.

Luke 12:4

KJV ⁴ And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. CEV (Matthew 10.
28-31) ⁴ My friends, don't be afraid of people. They can kill you, but after that, there is nothing else they can do.

Luke 12:5

KJV ⁵ But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. CEV ⁵ God is the one you must fear. Not only can he take your life, but he can throw you into hell. God is certainly the one you should fear!

Hebrews 12:28

KJV ²⁸ Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: CEV ²⁸ We should be grateful we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect.

3. Blessedness of Fearing God

Exodus 20:20

KJV ²⁰ And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. CEV ²⁰ “Don't be afraid!” Moses replied. “God has come only to test you, so that by obeying him you won't sin.”

Deuteronomy 6:2

KJV ² That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. CEV ² And if you and your descendants want to live a long time, you must always worship the Lord and obey his laws.

Deuteronomy 6:24

KJV ²⁴ And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. CEV ^24-25 That's why the Lord our God demands that we obey his laws and worship him with fear and trembling. And if we do, he will protect us and help us be successful.

Psalm 25:12

KJV ¹² What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. CEV ¹² You will show the right path to all who worship you.

Psalm 25:13

KJV ¹³ His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. CEV ¹³ Then they will have plenty, and their children will receive the land.

Psalm 25:14

KJV ¹⁴ The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. CEV ¹⁴ Our Lord, you are the friend of your worshipers, and you make an agreement with all of us.

Psalm 33:18

KJV ¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; CEV ¹⁸ But the Lord watches over all who honor him and trust his kindness.

Psalm 33:19

KJV ¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. CEV ¹⁹ He protects them from death and starvation.

Psalm 34:9

KJV ⁹ O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. CEV ⁹ Honor the Lord! You are his special people. No one who honors the Lord will ever be in need.

Psalm 34:10

KJV ¹⁰ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. CEV ¹⁰ Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the Lord, you will never miss out on anything good.

Psalm 103:11

KJV ¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. CEV ¹¹ How great is God's love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!

Psalm 103:13

KJV ¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. CEV ¹³ Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind to all who worship him,

Psalm 111:5

KJV ⁵ He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. CEV ⁵ He gives food to his worshipers and always keeps his agreement with them.

Psalm 115:13

KJV ¹³ He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great. CEV ¹³ All who worship the Lord, no matter who they are, will receive his blessing.

Psalm 128:1

KJV ¹ Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. CEV (A song for worship.) ¹ The Lord will bless you if you respect him and obey his laws.

Psalm 145:19

KJV ¹⁹ He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. CEV ¹⁹ You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers, and you come to save them when they ask for help.

Psalm 147:11

KJV ¹¹ The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. CEV ¹¹ The Lord is pleased only with those who worship him and trust his love.

Proverbs 3:8

KJV ⁸ It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. CEV ⁸ This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.

Proverbs 9:11

KJV ¹¹ For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. CEV ¹¹ I am Wisdom. If you follow me, you will live a long time.

Proverbs 14:2

KJV ² He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. CEV ² By living right, you show that you respect the Lord; by being deceitful, you show that you despise him.

Proverbs 14:26-27

KJV ²⁶ In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. ²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. CEV ²⁶ If you respect the Lord, you and your children have a strong fortress ²⁷ and a life-giving fountain that keeps you safe from deadly traps.

Proverbs 16:6

KJV ⁶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. CEV ⁶ If we truly love God, our sins will be forgiven; if we show him respect, we will keep away from sin.

Proverbs 19:23

KJV ²³ The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. CEV ²³ Showing respect to the Lord brings true life — if you do it, you can relax without fear of danger.

Isaiah 33:6

KJV ⁶ And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. CEV ⁶ you are the foundation on which we stand today. You always save us and give true wisdom and knowledge. Nothing means more to us than obeying you.

Malachi 3:16-17

KJV ¹⁶ Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. ¹⁷ And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. CEV ¹⁶ All those who truly respected the Lord and honored his name started discussing these things, and when God saw what was happening, he had their names written as a reminder in his book. ¹⁷ Then the Lord All-Powerful said: You people are precious to me, and when I come to bring justice, I will protect you, just as parents protect an obedient child.

Luke 1:50

KJV ⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. CEV ⁵⁰ He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him.

4. Punishment for not fearing God

Proverbs 1:29-31

KJV ²⁹ For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: ³⁰ They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. ³¹ Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. CEV ²⁹ No, you would not learn, and you refused to respect the Lord. ³⁰ You rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you. ³¹ “Now you will eat the fruit of what you have done, until you are stuffed full with your own schemes.

Job 13:11

KJV ¹¹ Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you? CEV ¹¹ and his glorious splendor would make you terrified.

5. Example of the fear of God

Genesis 42:18

KJV ¹⁸ And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: CEV ¹⁸ before saying to them: Since I respect God, I'll give you a chance to save your lives.

Exodus 9:20

KJV ²⁰ He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: CEV ²⁰ Some of the king's officials were frightened by what the Lord had said, and they hurried off to make sure their slaves and animals were safe.

1 Kings 18:3

KJV ³ And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly: CEV ^3-4 At that time Obadiah was in charge of Ahab's palace, but he faithfully worshiped the Lord. In fact, when Jezebel was trying to kill the Lord's prophets, Obadiah hid 100 of them in two caves and gave them food and water. Ahab sent for Obadiah

Psalm 5:7

KJV ⁷ But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. CEV ⁷ Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, Lord, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple.

Psalm 77:16

KJV ¹⁶ The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. CEV ¹⁶ The ocean looked at you, God, and it trembled deep down with fear.

Jonah 1:9

KJV ⁹ And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. CEV ⁹ Jonah answered, “I'm a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”

Habakkuk 3:10

KJV ¹⁰ The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. CEV ¹⁰ mountains trembled at the sight of you; rain poured from the clouds; ocean waves roared and rose.