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
And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting …
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his …
That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a …
For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;