Psalms 130:4
Psalms 130:4 in Multiple Translations
But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be feared.
But you are forgiving so that we might respect you.
But mercie is with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
But with Thee [is] forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared.
But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
But you forgive us, with the result that we greatly revere you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 130:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 130:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
עִמְּ/ךָ֥
הַ/סְּלִיחָ֑ה
לְ֝מַ֗עַן
תִּוָּרֵֽא
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
עִמְּ/ךָ֥
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
הַ/סְּלִיחָ֑ה
çᵉlîychâh
H5547
forgiveness
Art | N-fs
לְ֝מַ֗עַן
maʻan
H4616
because
Prep
תִּוָּרֵֽא
yârêʼ
H3372
to fear
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 130:4
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
עִמְּ/ךָ֥
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
הַ/סְּלִיחָ֑ה
çᵉlîychâh
H5547
"forgiveness"
Art | N-fs
This term refers to the act of forgiveness, such as when God pardons humanity's sins, as seen in Psalm 130:4. It represents a release from guilt or punishment.
Definition: forgiveness
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: forgiveness, pardon. See also: Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 130:4; Daniel 9:9.
לְ֝מַ֗עַן
maʻan
H4616
"because"
Prep
This Hebrew word means because of something or for a specific purpose. It is used to explain why something happens or is done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's intentions or purposes.
Definition: 1) purpose, intent prep 1a) for the sake of 1b) in view of, on account of 1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj 1d) to the end that
Usage: Occurs in 252 OT verses. KJV: because of, to the end (intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), [phrase] lest, that, to. See also: Genesis 12:13; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 5:9.
תִּוָּרֵֽא
yârêʼ
H3372
"to fear"
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.
Study Notes — Psalms 130:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 130:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 130:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 130:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 130:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 130:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
- Sermons on Psalms 130:4
Context — Out of the Depths
2O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.
3If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?
4But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.
5I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. 6My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning— more than watchmen wait for the morning.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 33:8–9 | And I will cleanse them from all the iniquity they have committed against Me, and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against Me. So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it. |
| 2 | Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. |
| 3 | Psalms 86:5 | For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 8:39–40 | be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men— so that they may fear You all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers. |
| 5 | Daniel 9:9 | To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 5:19 | that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. |
| 7 | Colossians 1:14 | in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. |
| 8 | Micah 7:18–20 | Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance— who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and loving devotion to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from the days of old. |
| 9 | Isaiah 1:18 | “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. |
| 10 | Hosea 3:5 | Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days. |
Psalms 130:4 Summary
[Psalms 130:4 reminds us that God's forgiveness is not just about relieving us of guilt, but also about helping us to reverence and respect Him. This verse shows that when we experience God's forgiveness, it should lead us to a deeper fear and awe of His holy character, much like in Jeremiah 33:8-9. As we receive God's mercy and forgiveness, we are called to respond with a heart of reverence and worship, as seen in Psalms 103:8-10. By embracing this truth, we can deepen our understanding of God's love and mercy, and live lives that reflect our gratitude and reverence for Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God forgives so that He may be feared?
This means that God's forgiveness is not just about relieving us of guilt, but also about inspiring reverence and awe for His holy character, as seen in Psalms 130:4 and supported by Jeremiah 33:8-9 which speaks of God's forgiveness and restoration leading to fear and trembling.
How can forgiveness and fear coexist?
Forgiveness and fear may seem like opposing concepts, but in the context of Psalms 130:4, they work together to deepen our understanding of God's mercy and justice, much like in Romans 11:22 which reminds us of God's kindness and severity.
Does this verse imply that God only forgives so that we will fear Him?
No, this verse does not suggest that God's forgiveness is conditional upon our fear, but rather that the experience of forgiveness should lead us to a deeper reverence for God, as expressed in Luke 7:47 where the woman's forgiveness leads to her extravagant love for Jesus.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's mercy?
This verse highlights God's mercy as the foundation for forgiveness, and reminds us that His mercy is not just about relieving us of punishment, but also about transforming our hearts to fear and reverence Him, as seen in Psalms 103:8-10 which speaks of God's merciful and forgiving nature.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced God's forgiveness in my life, and how have those experiences shaped my reverence for Him?
- In what ways do I still struggle with the concept of fearing God, and how can I cultivate a healthier understanding of this biblical concept?
- How does the knowledge of God's forgiveness affect my daily life and relationships, and what are some practical ways that I can live out this truth?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to apply the truth of Psalms 130:4, and what steps can I take to seek God's forgiveness and mercy in those areas?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 130:4
But [there is] forgiveness with thee,.... And with God only; not with angels, nor any of the sons of men; and which flows from his grace and mercy, through the blood of his Son.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 130:4
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. But - rather, in the usual sense of the Hebrew [ kiy (H3588)], "FOR" (see note, Psalms 130:3, for the ellipsis), which requires for, not but, to follow here.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
There is forgiveness with thee; thou art able and ready to forgive repenting sinners. That thou mayest be feared; not with a slavish, but with a child-like fear and reverence. This grace and mercy of thine is the foundation of all religion and worship of thee in the world, without which men would desperately proceed on in their impious courses without any thought of repentance.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
Psalms 130:4 But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.Ver. 4. But there is forgiveness with thee] This holds head above water, that we have to do with a forgiving God, Nehemiah 9:31; none like him for that, Micah 7:18; for he doth it naturally, Exodus 34:6; abundantly, Isaiah 55:7; constantly, as here; there is (still is) forgiveness and propitiation with God: so John 1:27, the Lamb of God doth take away the sins of the world; it is a perpetual act, and should be as a perpetual picture in our hearts. That thou mayest be feared] i.e. Sought unto and served. It is a speech like that, Psalms 65:2, "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." If there were not forgiveness with God, no man would worship him from his heart, but fly from him as from a tyrant; but a promise of pardon from a faithful God maketh men to put themselves into the hands of justice, in hope of mercy. Mr Perkins expoundeth the words thus, In mercy thou pardonest the sins of some, that thou mightest have some on earth to worship thee.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
(4) But.—Rather, for, marking an ellipse easily supplied. Israel’s sense of Jehovah’s readiness to forgive was too deep to need expression, it was understood; “Thou wilt not mark, &c, for . . .” Forgiveness.—The article in the original may be more than that common with abstract nouns. “The forgiveness we need.” That thou mayest be feared.—Either that the forgiven ones may become more profoundly religious, or perhaps, rather, that the manifestation of Divine mercy to Israel may strike fear in the heathen.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
Verse 4. But there is forgiveness with thee] Thou canst forgive; mercy belongs to thee, as well as judgment. The doctrine here is the doctrine of St. John: "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord hath spoken!" Jesus has died for our sins; therefore God can be just, and yet the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 130:4
4. But there is forgiveness with thee] The Heb. conjunction, which literally means for (so P.B.V.), gives the reason for the truth implied in the preceding verse: ‘Thou dost not remember iniquities, for with thee is forgiveness’; and so it may be rendered But or Nay but. The word for forgiveness occurs again only in Nehemiah 9:17; Daniel 9:9 (in plur.): the adj. forgiving in Psalms 86:5. Cp. 1 John 2:1-2. that thou mayest be feared] God forgives in order that men may fear Him. Man might dread a stern unforgiving God, but he could not fear Him with that devout reverence which is the animating spirit of Old Testament religion (Deuteronomy 5:29), and which still finds its place in the New Testament as an element in the relation of man to God (1 Peter 1:17). Cp. the plea for pardon in Psalms 79:9, “for thy name’s sake,” and 1 Kings 8:39-40; Romans 2:4. Most of the Ancient Versions misunderstood this clause, and connected it with the next verse. Thus the LXX, “For thy name’s sake have I waited for thee,” or according to the reading of some MSS (probably taken from Theodotion) followed by the Vulg., “For thy law’s sake.” Jer. “since thou art to be feared.”
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 130:4
But there is forgiveness with thee - The Septuagint renders this ἱλασμός hilasmos, propitiation, reconciliation; the Latin Vulgate “propitiatio,” propitiation.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 130:4
4. That thou mayest be feared—The telic use of the conjunctive particle supplies the explanation of this administration of divine mercy; that is, God forgives sin, to the end that men may fear and
Sermons on Psalms 130:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Way of Cain by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on God's defense rather than trying to defend oneself. He refers to the story of Moses and the rebellion of Korah, |
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A God That Keeps Records by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher recounts a tragic incident where a young man lost his life in an oil rig explosion. The preacher uses this event to emphasize the reality of judgment a |
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Understanding God's Forgiveness by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, Paul emphasizes the message of forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. He warns that rejecting Jesus will result in facing the penalty of one's sins. The sermon h |
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(Genesis) 61 - Jacob - Surprised, Sustained and Satisfied by the God Of by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the greatness of God's purposes, which are wise, merciful, and sure to be seen in the long run. He draws parallels between the promises God |
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Of the Fear of God. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the profound significance of the fear of God in true worship, asserting that it encompasses both internal and external expressions of faith. He explains that f |
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Of the Pardon of Sin. by John Gill | John Gill expounds on the doctrine of the pardon of sin, emphasizing that it is rooted in the satisfaction made by Christ. He explains that forgiveness is a revelation of the gospe |
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The Preaching of Christ Crucified, the Means of Salvation by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the significance of Christ crucified as the means of salvation, highlighting how the preaching of the cross reveals the love, justice, and mercy of God |