The fear of God is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Christianity. Modern culture recoils at the idea of fearing God, preferring to emphasize His love, grace, and friendship while downplaying anything that sounds uncomfortable or demanding. We’ve domesticated God into a cosmic therapist who exists to validate us rather than a holy Creator before whom we should tremble with reverent awe.
But Scripture consistently presents the fear of God as foundational to wisdom, the beginning of knowledge, and essential to genuine faith. This isn’t terror that makes you want to run away from God, but reverent awe that makes you take Him seriously. It’s recognizing who He actually is: infinitely holy, completely sovereign, and worthy of our utmost respect and obedience. The fear of God means understanding that your life is lived before an audience of One whose opinion matters infinitely more than anyone else’s.
These verses reveal what the fear of God means, why it matters, and what it produces in those who cultivate it. Far from being outdated or harsh, fearing God properly is the pathway to blessing, wisdom, protection, and an intimate relationship with Him.
Bible Verses About The Fear of God
1. Proverbs 9:10 – The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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2. Psalm 111:10 – The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
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3. Proverbs 1:7 – The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Knowledge
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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4. Proverbs 14:27 – The Fear of the Lord Is a Fountain of Life
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
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5. Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Fear God and Keep His Commandments
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
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6. Proverbs 16:6 – Through the Fear of the Lord Evil Is Avoided
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
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7. Psalm 34:11 – I Will Teach You the Fear of the Lord
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
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8. Proverbs 22:4 – Humility Is the Fear of the Lord
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
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9. Psalm 19:9 – The Fear of the Lord Is Pure
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
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10. Acts 9:31 – Living in the Fear of the Lord
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
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11. Proverbs 10:27 – The Fear of the Lord Adds Length to Life
The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
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12. Proverbs 14:26 – In the Fear of the Lord There Is Strong Confidence
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
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13. Psalm 25:14 – The Lord Confides in Those Who Fear Him
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
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14. Malachi 3:16 – Those Who Feared the Lord
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
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15. Luke 12:5 – Fear Him Who Has Authority
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
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16. Proverbs 15:33 – Wisdom’s Instruction Is to Fear the Lord
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
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17. Psalm 103:13 – As a Father Has Compassion
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
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18. Deuteronomy 6:13 – Fear the Lord Your God
Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
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19. Psalm 33:8 – Let All the Earth Fear the Lord
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.
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20. Psalm 147:11 – The Lord Delights in Those Who Fear Him
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
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21. Proverbs 19:23 – The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life
The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
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22. 2 Corinthians 7:1 – Perfecting Holiness Out of Reverence for God
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
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23. Psalm 115:13 – He Will Bless Those Who Fear the Lord
He will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike.
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24. Proverbs 8:13 – To Fear the Lord Is to Hate Evil
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
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25. Psalm 128:1 – Blessed Are All Who Fear the Lord
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
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26. Proverbs 15:16 – Better a Little With the Fear of the Lord
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
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27. Jeremiah 32:40 – I Will Inspire Them to Fear Me
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
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28. Psalm 34:7 – The Angel of the Lord Encamps
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
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29. Hebrews 12:28 – Worship God Acceptably With Reverence and Awe
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
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30. Psalm 103:17 – The Lord’s Love Is With Those Who Fear Him
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.
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31. Isaiah 8:13 – The Lord Almighty Is the One You Are to Fear
The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.
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32. Psalm 112:1 – Blessed Is the One Who Fears the Lord
Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.
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33. Proverbs 31:30 – A Woman Who Fears the Lord Is to Be Praised
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
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34. Deuteronomy 10:12 – What Does the Lord Require?
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
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35. Psalm 85:9 – His Salvation Is Near Those Who Fear Him
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
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Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About The Fear of God
The fear of God is repeatedly described as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, which means you can’t properly understand reality without it. Fearing God isn’t about being terrified of Him but about having a proper perspective on who He is: infinitely holy, completely sovereign, and worthy of reverent awe. It’s recognizing that every moment of your life is lived in His presence, that nothing is hidden from Him, and that one day you’ll give an account for how you lived.
What’s remarkable is how Scripture connects the fear of God with blessing rather than bondage. Those who fear the Lord are promised life, protection, confidence, intimacy with God, and His unfailing love. The fear of God doesn’t distance us from Him; it actually draws us closer in the right way, approaching Him with appropriate reverence rather than casual presumption. God confides in those who fear Him. He delights in them. His angel encamps around them.
The fear of God also produces practical holiness. When you truly fear God, you hate evil because you understand how He views sin. You pursue obedience not primarily out of obligation but out of reverence for the One who deserves your full allegiance. This isn’t legalism; it’s love responding appropriately to who God is.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often take You for granted, approaching You casually without proper reverence for who You are. Forgive me for treating You like a cosmic servant who exists for my convenience rather than the holy God before whom I should tremble with awe.
Teach me what it means to fear You properly. Help me to understand Your holiness, Your sovereignty, and Your worthiness of my utmost respect and obedience. Give me a healthy fear that takes You seriously while also drawing me closer to You in love and trust.
Let the fear of the Lord be the foundation of wisdom in my life. Help me to hate evil because I understand how You view sin. Give me the security and confidence that come from fearing You above fearing anything else. May my reverence for You produce obedience, humility, and wholehearted devotion.
Thank You that fearing You properly doesn’t distance me from You but invites me into deeper intimacy, knowing that You confide in those who fear You and delight in those who put their hope in Your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ holy Name, Amen.