“With the Lord there is forgiveness, therefore He may be feared.” Ps. 130
When I read this line in a recent worship service, it struck me as quite odd. Why would God’s being a forgiving god cause us to fear him? Would it not be the opposite, that we should fear him less because He forgives?
The psalm as a whole is a plea for mercy and a statement of hope that the Lord will hear the psalmist’s prayers. He is waiting for God in hope, more than the watchmen wait for the morning, which is sure to come.
I think the key may be in verse 3: “If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, who could stand?” Of course, no one could stand. All have sinned, all have rebelled against God at some point. If He never forgives, then all is lost, there is no point in seeking mercy or forgiveness, and we are all simply doomed to judgment. It would then be perfectly reasonable to eat, drink, and be merry until we die. There would be no point in seeking a relationship with God, since it could only be one of condemnation and rejection. Fearing such a god would make no difference.
But if God is a forgiving god, if He may be approached somehow and this approach could lead to forgiveness, well then that is quite a different story. This is a God who can condemn you — or not. Now the fear of such a God can make a difference, can be in a sense practical and meaningful. It is for this reason that the psalmist has hope, and feels it is worth coming before his Maker and King to ask forgiveness and relief.
Little Gidding 