Psalms 119:120
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
Original Language Analysis
מִפַּחְדְּךָ֣
for fear
H6343
מִפַּחְדְּךָ֣
for fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
2 of 5
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
בְשָׂרִ֑י
My flesh
H1320
בְשָׂרִ֑י
My flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
3 of 5
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
Cross References
Habakkuk 3:16When 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.Hebrews 12:21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)Isaiah 66:2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.Philippians 2:12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.2 Chronicles 34:21Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.Psalms 119:53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.2 Chronicles 34:27Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.1 Samuel 6:20And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
Historical Context
Israel encountered God's terrifying holiness at Sinai—thunder, lightning, earthquake, fire (Exod 19:16-18). The people trembled and feared they would die (Exod 20:18-19). This holy fear guarded against presuming on God's grace and maintained reverence for His law.
Questions for Reflection
- When was the last time you experienced physical trembling or holy dread in God's presence?
- How do you balance loving God's testimonies (v. 119) with fearing His judgments (v. 120)?
- What aspects of God's character or judgments should produce more reverential fear in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee (סָמַר מִפַּחְדְּךָ בְשָׂרִי, samar mipachdкha vesari)—the verb samar means to bristle, stand on end, shudder. It describes hair standing up in horror. This is not reverential awe but terrified trembling before God's holiness. Basar (flesh) emphasizes the physical, involuntary response. Isaiah experienced this: Woe is me! for I am undone (Isa 6:5). Peter cried: Depart from me; for I am a sinful man (Luke 5:8).
And I am afraid of thy judgments (וּמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶיךָ יָרֵאתִי, umimishpatekha yareti)—the verb yare means to fear, reverence, be afraid. God's mishpatim (judgments, ordinances) produce holy dread. This concludes the Samekh section with profound fear balancing the earlier love (v. 113, 119). Mature faith holds both: Love the LORD and fear the LORD (Deut 10:12). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). Without this trembling, love becomes presumption.