Psalms 130:4
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Study Note
Study Note
The remarkable theological deduction 'but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared' identifies divine forgiveness as the ground of reverent fear rather than its opposite — a counter-intuitive claim that mercy produces awe rather than presumption. The logic is that if God were unforgiving, no relationship would be possible — his justice would destroy those who approach him; forgiveness is what makes sustained covenant relationship, and therefore reverent worship, possible at all. Luther found this verse decisive in his break from penitential anxiety: the Psalm's movement from depth (de profundis, v. 1) to waiting (vv. 5-6) to hope (vv. 7-8) traces the path from law-terror to gospel-confidence. The verse anticipates the New Testament's 'him who feared God and worked righteousness' (Acts 10:35) and the perfected-love that 'casteth out fear' (1 John 4:18) — distinguishing servile fear from filial reverence.
Other Translations
But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.
But with Thee <FI>is<Fi> forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared.
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be feared.
Cross References
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And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all …
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To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;