This Sunday, I stayed home from church — not out of neglect, but out of necessity. With much work and my body being in a lot of pain this week, I listened to my body and followed my heart and took a rest.  And sometimes, honoring God means pausing from our usual routines to care for the temple He’s given us. Today was one of those days, a Sabbath for both my body and spirit.

And with that, I was also led to study the Fear of the Lord. So, what is the fear of the Lord? Is it being afraid that God is chasing you down with lightning bolts and drizzles of fire behind every fleeting footsteps?

No. The Fear of the Lord is not about terror. For “Fear of the Lord” the main Hebrew word used in the Bible is:

יִרְאָה (yir’ah) — pronounced yeer-AH

Root: יָרֵא (yare) — to fear, revere, or stand in awe.

Meaning: Reverence, respect, deep awe, piety. 

It’s an awareness of God’s holiness that shapes your behavior and keeps your heart humble before Him. With the Fear of the Lord and God’s love, God wants us to run to Him, not away from Him.

Before I go any further, I want us to read Psalm 34. Then we will walk through what God says about the Fear of the Lord in His Word.

Psalms 34:1-22 NLT
[1] I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. [2] I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. [3] Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. [4] I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. [6] In my desperation, I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. [7] For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. [8] Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! [9] Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. [10] Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. [12] Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? [13] Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! [14] Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. [15] The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. [16] But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. [17] The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. [19] The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. [20] For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! [21] Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. [22] But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

In Psalm 34, David, who pretended to be crazy in front of Abimilech to escape danger, gives his praises and testimony, gives an invitation to experience God’s goodness, gives instruction in the Fear of the Lord and lastly, details God’s care for the righteous. 

But let’s delve deeper into the Fear of the Lord. What does God say about it further:

Proverbs 9:10:
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (NLT)

Proverbs 1:7:
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (NLT)

Proverbs 3: Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. (NLT)

Hebrews 12:28:
[Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (NLT)

Proverbs 29:23 & 25:
[23] Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.
[25] Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. (NLT)

Psalms 105: 1-8:
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. He always stands by his covenant— the commitment he made to a thousand generations. (NLT)

Now that we have read some scriptures on our topic of study, let’s bring it home with the five pillars of the Fear of the Lord.

The 6 Pillars

• Protection – Fearing the Lord is a safeguard, placing you under God’s loving protection. Corresponding scriptures: Proverbs 14:26; Proverbs 19:23)

• Knowledge – True understanding begins with reverence for Him. (Proverbs 1:7)
• A Heart of Praise, Reverence, and Respect – At its core, the fear of the Lord is respect, reverence, and honor. It’s an attitude of worship that shapes everything we do. (Psalms 2:11; Psalms 33:8; Psalms 130:2-5; Psalms 105:1-8)
• Wisdom – Discernment and right choices flow from fearing the Lord. (Psalms 111:10; Job 28:28)
• Dependency Upon God – Fearing the Lord means trusting Him completely, rather than relying on our own limited understanding. I’m reminded daily that without God, I can do nothing. (Proverbs 3:5 & 6; Psalm 130:5)
• (I forgot this one during the initial writing stage) Godly Sorrow – Godly sorrow is true repentance, and with it comes the fear of the Lord. Because He is holy and worthy of honor, our hearts—growing in spiritual maturity—will turn away from the things that keep us from drawing closer to Him and dwelling in His presence. (James 4:9)

Why does the Fear of the Lord Matter Today?

In a world that encourages self-reliance and pride, the Fear of the Lord keeps us humble, safe, and aligned with truth. Jesus is the truth, the life and the way. As believers, we are to recognize God’s power and holiness and respond accordingly. We must value what He says over what the world says, putting Him first and acknowledging His authority. We worship Him in spirit and in truth, not because He has an ego, but because our spirits respond to His character and His unfailing love. Ultimately, this leads to obedience. We want to honor Him in everything we think, say, and do. Living a holy life is a challenge, but with God’s grace, we can do it one day at a time.

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Action Step

Take a moment today to ask yourself: in what ways am I showing respect, reverence, and honor to the Lord in my daily life?

Also, check out the corresponding video up on YouTube now!

What is the Fear of the Lord & Why it Matters?