Growing up in an incredibly conservative environment, I learned far more about fearing God than about any of His attributes.
As a child this created some confusion, and my understanding of God’s love became somewhat distorted. I interpreted the “fear of God” as being literally afraid of Him because of His immense power. I remember constantly thinking, “I don’t want to upset God.”
However, as my relationship with the Lord deepened and I matured both in faith and in life, my understanding began to shift. I discovered that the “fear” I had been taught wasn’t about being afraid of God at all—it was about recognizing His divine nature and responding with reverence.
Once I could connect the phrase “fear of God” with deep respect for who He truly is, I was able to experience God’s love in a completely new and profound way.
Scripture is full of Bible verses that reveal what the fear of God means. Understanding this biblical concept is essential to grasping God’s rightful place as the ultimate authority in our lives and recognizing what He desires from each of us in that sacred relationship.
Below are ten powerful Bible verses about the fear of God that show we should approach God in reverence and awe rather than trepidation or terror.
1. Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
We all long for wisdom and understanding, especially within our faith. This Bible verse reveals that genuine wisdom doesn’t begin with human intellect or worldly knowledge but with proper reverence and awe toward God.
When we approach life with this holy fear—a deep respect that acknowledges God’s supremacy and our dependence on Him—we position ourselves to receive true insight and discernment that transcends mere human understanding.
2. Ecclesiastes 12:13
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Solomon’s final words in Ecclesiastes distill humanity’s entire purpose into two essential elements: fearing God and obeying His commands.
This Bible verse isn’t a burden reserved for the spiritually elite, but the universal calling of every person ever created. It isn’t optional.
3. Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
This psalm echoes Proverbs 9:10 while adding a crucial element: those who “practice” the fear of God develop good understanding. The fear of the Lord isn’t just theoretical knowledge but an active, lived experience that produces practical wisdom.
This Bible verse concludes by linking this reverent fear to eternal worship, suggesting that true wisdom naturally flows into praise.
4. Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Here, the fear of God is represented as a life-giving source. The imagery of a fountain suggests continuous, refreshing provision rather than a one-time event.
This Scripture verse shows how a reverent relationship with God becomes our protection against the destructive patterns and choices that lead to spiritual death.
5. Psalm 33:8
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
The psalmist expands the scope from individual experience to worship by all humanity. The parallel between “fear” and “stand in awe” in this Scripture verse clarifies the nature of this reverence—it’s the breathtaking recognition of God’s majesty that should characterize every human heart.
This universal call demonstrates that the fear of God transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.
6. Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
This Bible verse addresses a common misconception about the fear of God by showing its results: satisfaction and protection rather than anxiety.
Those who maintain proper reverence toward God experience a deep contentment and security that comes from walking in alignment with their Creator’s design.
7. Malachi 3:16
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.
This remarkable Scripture verse reveals God’s attentiveness to those who honor Him. This Bible verse shows how the fear of God naturally creates community among believers and draws God’s favorable attention.
8. Psalm 147:11
… but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
This beautiful Scripture verse resolves any tension between fear and love by showing they’re complementary rather than contradictory. God delights in hearts that hold both reverent awe and confident hope in His faithful love.
This Bible verse reflects mature faith that honors God’s holiness while trusting His goodness.
9. Isaiah 11:2–3
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear …
The fear of the Lord appears as one of the six traits mentioned of the Messiah. Remarkably, Christ finds delight in this reverent relationship with the Father.
If the perfect Son of God delights in the fear of God, this Scripture verse reveals we should have the same delight in our relationship with the Lord.
10. 2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Paul demonstrates that the fear of God remains essential to all believers. Rather than being replaced by grace, reverent fear becomes the motivation for pursuing holiness.
This Bible verse shows how the fear of God empowers believers to actively participate in their sanctification, moving beyond mere positional righteousness to practical godliness.
The Fear of God Isn’t Terror—It’s Reverent Trust
For many years, I carried an anxious, fearful understanding of what it meant to fear God, imagining a harsh deity waiting to punish my every misstep. But walking through Scripture verses just like these ten has completely transformed my perspective on the fear of God.
What I have discovered is that I shouldn’t cower from God, but rather revere God with awe and wonder.
The fear of the Lord isn’t about terror—it’s about recognizing His magnificent supremacy and finding my proper place in relationship with Him. Instead of anxiety, I’ve found wisdom; instead of dread, I’ve discovered His delight in me.
These Bible verses reveal that the fear of God becomes a fountain of life, protection, and satisfaction rather than condemnation. My anxious fear has been replaced by reverent awe, and in that transformation, I’ve found my ultimate hope and sufficiency in the secure, life-giving relationship that comes from properly honoring the One who created me.
May you find the same joy in what it truly means to fear God.
Ready to Turn Your Fear into Trust?
If you’re ready to turn your fear into deeper trust in God, a great next step is getting to know Him more through His Word. The more you understand God’s character—His goodness, faithfulness, and power—the easier it becomes to rest in Him, even when life feels uncertain.
These blog posts will help you build a solid foundation of faith so you can trust God more fully each day:
