What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord?

Psalm 35

What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord?

We often quote the proverb: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." But what does that actually mean?

A closer look at Proverbs reveals that fearing the Lord means rightly seeing who God is and where we stand in relation to Him. It’s more than trembling in His presence. Fear means obeying His commands. It means delighting in His beauty and greatness. It means trusting Him. It means hating evil. Yes, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom—but it’s also much more.

In Psalm 34, David invites children to gather around so he can teach them the fear of the Lord (v.11). But he never cowers. He doesn’t tremble before an angry God. Instead, he celebrates the blessings that come from living in the fear of the Lord.

Yes, those who fear God turn from evil (v.14), do good (v.14), seek peace (v.14), and speak truth (v.13). But David’s song overflows with the rewards of walking in God’s ways: freedom from fear (v.4), rescue from trouble (v.6), and satisfaction in every good thing (v.10). The righteous shine with joy (v.5), rejoice (v.2), and walk in the redemption of the Lord (v.22).

Again and again, David highlights the simple gift of being heard by God: “I sought the Lord, and He answered me” (v.4). “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him” (v.6). “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry” (v.15). “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears” (v.17).

This kind of fear stirs David to joyful, wholehearted worship: “I will bless the Lord at all times” (v.1). “My soul makes its boast in the Lord” (v.2). “Magnify the Lord with me” (v.3). There’s no reluctance here—only joy.

The fear of the Lord doesn’t drive David away; it draws him close. “I sought the Lord” (v.4). “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him” (v.7). “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted” (v.18). “Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (v.8). For David, fearing the Lord means running to Him, not hiding from Him.

But fear also recognizes that God judges justly: “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (v.16). “Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned” (v.21).

Fearing the Lord doesn’t shield us from hardship. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (v.19). We still cry out, because we still suffer. But to fear the Lord is to trust Him as our only refuge (v.8).

So, children, let me teach you what it means to fear the Lord: Delight in His beauty. Obey His commands. Hate what He hates. Trust Him as your shelter. Draw near to Him.

Then you’ll understand what David means when he says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (v.8).