Psalm 119:120

Psalm 119:120, in plain English

The psalmist is so in awe of God and so respectful of His judgments that his whole body trembles with reverence. This is the fear of God—profound respect mixed with awe.

Why it's here

After everything he's said—his commitment, his suffering, his joy in God's word—he comes back to something foundational: reverence. He's trembling in awe of God and His righteous judgments. This isn't fear that makes you run away; it's the kind that makes you stand still in wonder.

Who's speaking

The psalmist in an attitude of reverent awe before God

Where it sits in the story

The fear of the Lord is described throughout Scripture as the beginning of wisdom, as something that produces obedience and protection. From Isaiah seeing God high and lifted up in the temple, to the disciples in the boat when Jesus calmed the storm asking 'Who is this?'—coming into the presence of God's greatness should shake you.

The scholarly reading

The psalmist's flesh trembles in reverential awe before God, and he maintains proper fear of God's judgments—depicting fear as the prerequisite for genuine wisdom and obedience.

Language and setting

The final verse of the Nun stanza completes a theological arc: from discipline and obedience, through joy and understanding, to culminating in 'fear of the Lord.' This is not cowardice but what rabbinical tradition calls 'yirat shamayim'—profound reverence for God's holiness and justice. The phrase 'my flesh trembles' signals visceral, not merely intellectual, awe.

Voice

The psalmist in posture of reverent worship, demonstrating that deep commitment to God's word flowers in appropriate fear and trembling before divine majesty.

Significance

This echoes the biblical arc from Exodus (Israel trembles at Sinai) through wisdom literature (Proverbs 1:7, 'fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge') and reaches Christian expression in the apostolic call to 'fear Him who can destroy both soul and body' (Matthew 10:28), understood as awe rather than terror.

118You reject all who stray from Your statutes, for their deceitfulness is in vain.

119All the wicked on earth You discard like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies.

120My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.

121I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

122Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.

Read all of Psalm 119 — 176 verses. An elaborate love letter to God's word. It's not meant to be rushed.