Psalms 2:11
Psalms 2:11 in Multiple Translations
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Give worship to the Lord with fear, kissing his feet and giving him honour,
Serve the Lord in reverence, celebrate with trembling!
Serue the Lord in feare, and reioyce in trembling.
Serve ye Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling.
Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice about what he has done for you, but tremble before him!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 2:11
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 2:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עִבְד֣וּ
אֶת
יְהוָ֣ה
בְּ/יִרְאָ֑ה
וְ֝/גִ֗ילוּ
בִּ/רְעָדָֽה
עִבְד֣וּ
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
בְּ/יִרְאָ֑ה
yirʼâh
H3374
fear
Prep | N-fs
וְ֝/גִ֗ילוּ
gîyl
H1523
to rejoice
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
בִּ/רְעָדָֽה
raʻad
H7461
trembling
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 2:11
עִבְד֣וּ
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
בְּ/יִרְאָ֑ה
yirʼâh
H3374
"fear"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word for fear can also mean reverence or respect, especially when it comes to God. It's used to describe a feeling of awe or terror, and is often translated as 'fear' or 'dreadful' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) fear, terror, fearing 1a) fear, terror 1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear) 1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety 1d) revered
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] dreadful, [idiom] exceedingly, fear(-fulness). See also: Genesis 20:11; Proverbs 1:29; Psalms 2:11.
וְ֝/גִ֗ילוּ
gîyl
H1523
"to rejoice"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to rejoice or be glad, often expressing strong emotions like joy or fear, as seen in the KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, exult, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to tremble (from fear)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:31; Proverbs 23:25; Psalms 2:11.
בִּ/רְעָדָֽה
raʻad
H7461
"trembling"
Prep | N-fs
This noun describes a state of trembling or quaking, often caused by fear or anxiety. It is the result of the verb to tremble and is used to describe a physical response to a situation.
Definition: trembling Another spelling of re.a.dah (רְעַדָה "trembling" H7461B)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: trembling. See also: Exodus 15:15; Psalms 48:7; Psalms 2:11.
Study Notes — Psalms 2:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 2:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 2:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 2:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 2:11
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 2:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
- Sermons on Psalms 2:11
Context — The Triumphant Messiah
9You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery. ”
10Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philippians 2:12 | Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. |
| 2 | Hebrews 12:25 | See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven? |
| 3 | Hebrews 12:28–29 | Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. “For our God is a consuming fire.” |
| 4 | Psalms 119:119–120 | All the wicked on earth You discard like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies. My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments. |
| 5 | Hebrews 4:1–2 | Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it. |
| 6 | Psalms 89:7 | In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him. |
| 7 | Psalms 95:1–8 | Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song. For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, |
| 8 | Psalms 97:1 | The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad. |
| 9 | Psalms 99:1 | The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake! |
Psalms 2:11 Summary
[Psalms 2:11 teaches us to serve God with a deep respect and reverence, recognizing His power and authority, similar to the fear of the Lord mentioned in Proverbs 1:7. This means we approach God with humility, acknowledging His sovereignty and living our lives in a way that honors Him, as encouraged in Colossians 3:17. We can rejoice in God's presence while also trembling with reverence, recognizing His majesty and power. By serving God with fear and rejoicing with trembling, we demonstrate our love and devotion to Him, and this is reflected in our daily lives as we seek to honor Him in all we do.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to serve the Lord with fear?
Serving the Lord with fear, as mentioned in Psalms 2:11, means having a deep respect and reverence for God, recognizing His power and authority, similar to the fear of the Lord mentioned in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10.
Is it possible to rejoice and tremble at the same time?
Yes, according to Psalms 2:11, we can rejoice with trembling, indicating a mix of joy and reverence, acknowledging God's majesty and power, much like the emotions expressed in Isaiah 6:1-5 when the prophet encountered God's presence.
How does this verse relate to our daily lives as believers?
This verse reminds us to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His sovereignty, and to live our lives in a way that honors Him, as encouraged in Colossians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
What is the significance of trembling in our relationship with God?
Trembling, as mentioned in Psalms 2:11, signifies a healthy fear of God, recognizing His holiness and power, and is a natural response to encountering God's presence, as seen in the experiences of various biblical characters, such as Isaiah and Ezekiel.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my reverence and respect for God in my daily life?
- How can I balance rejoicing in God's presence with the trembling that comes from recognizing His majesty and power?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of serving the Lord with fear to my relationships and interactions with others?
- What are some practical steps I can take to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in my personal devotion and worship?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 2:11
Serve the Lord with fear,.... Not the creature, neither more, nor besides, nor with the Creator; God and mammon cannot both be served; nor any fictitious and nominal deities, the idols of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 2:11
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Serve the Lord - instead of 'taking counsel together' to cast away the bands of Yahweh and His Messiah (Psalms 2:2-3).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
With fear, i.e. with reverence, and an awful sense of his great and glorious majesty, as very careful and diligent to please him, and afraid to offend him. Rejoice; do not esteem his yoke your dishonour and grievance; but know that it is a greater glory and happiness to be the subjects of this King, than to be emperors of the greatest empire; and accordingly rejoice in it, and bless God for this inestimable grace and benefit. With trembling: this is added to express the quality of this joy to which he calls them, and to distinguish it from that carnal and worldly rejoicing which is usually attended with security, and presumption, and licentiousness, and to warn them to take heed that they do not turn this grace of God into wantonness, nor slacken their dread of God’ s tremendous majesty, and of his terrible judgments, if they should hereafter revolt from him, or rebel against him; but, on the contrary, work out their salvation with fear and trembling, as it is prescribed, : compare .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
Psalms 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.Ver. 11. Serve the Lord with fear] Timore non servili sed amicali, with reverence and godly fear, Hebrews 12:28. Say to Christ, as the people did to Joshua, Joshua 1:16, and as the rulers and elders of Israel did to Jehu, 2 Kings 10:5, "We are thy servants, and will do all thou shalt bid us." And rejoice before him with trembling] A strange mixture of contrary passions (for base fear hath torment, 1 John 4:18), but such as is usual with God’ s servants, whose task it is to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12. Agreeable whereunto is that of Bernard, Laeti simus sed non securi; gaudentes in Domino sed caventes a recidivo. Those good women went from Christ’ s sepulchre with fear and great joy. We should come to him in his ordinances similarly affected.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
Verse 11. Serve the Lord with fear] A general direction to all men. Fear God with that reverence which is due to his supreme majesty. Serve him as subjects should their sovereign, and as servants should their master. Rejoice with trembling.] If ye serve God aright, ye cannot but be happy; but let a continual filial fear moderate all your joys. Ye must all stand at last before the judgment-seat of God; watch, pray, believe, work, and keep humble.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 2:11
11. Serve] The context indicates that political submission to Jehovah in the person of His representative is primarily intended. Cp. Psalms 18:43; Psalms 72:11. But the wider meaning must not be excluded. Serve and fear are words constantly used with a religious meaning; and political submission to Israel is only the prelude to that spiritual submission of the nations to Jehovah, which is a constant element in the Messianic expectation of the O.T. Cp. Psalms 22:27-28; Psalms 67:7; Psalms 100:1 ff.; Psalms 102:15; &c. rejoice with trembling] There is no need to alter the reading to tremble (Psalms 96:9) or to look for this meaning in the word rendered rejoice. Joyfulness tempered with reverent awe befits those who approach One so gracious yet so terrible. Cp.
Psalms 97:1; Psalms 100:2; Hosea 3:5; Hosea 11:10-11; Hebrews 12:28. P.B.V. adds unto him with LXX and Vulg.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 2:11
Serve the Lord with fear - With reverence, and with deep apprehensions of the consequences of not serving and obeying him.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 2:11
10-12. Be wise now—An admonition to kings and rulers to make peace with King Messiah. Be instructed—Be corrected, chastened, restrained.
Sermons on Psalms 2:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Fear of the Lord by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker discusses three important points. First, God's Spirit is searching for individuals with a heart that is fully committed to Him. Second, when God finds s |
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All Hail King Jesus by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of choosing to serve God wholeheartedly. He states that there are only two sides in the world: those who are with the king (J |
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Free to Live by Fred Whitmore | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the singer being portrayed in three ways throughout the scriptures. First, the singer is seen as a bond-slave, representing the |
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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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Homily 17 on Ephesians by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of imitating God by being kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving towards one another, just as God forgave us through Christ's sacrifice. He |
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The Fear of the Lord by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes the dual nature of fear in the Scriptures, distinguishing between sinful fear, which stems from unbelief, and the reverent fear of the Lord, which is roote |
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They Are Attended With a Christian Tenderness of Spirit. by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the contrast between gracious affections that soften the heart and false affections that harden it. Gracious affections lead to a Christian tenderne |