Quote:
Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah
For many years I have wondered about a verse in the Psalms that says "with God there is forgiveness that He might be feared". I could never understand that...
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I also struggled with that. It certainly seems opposite from logic. It may be helpful that the Psalm (#130) seems to reference Solomon's temple dedication prayer in 1 Kings 8.
38 "... and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— 39 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), 40 so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.
41 “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— 42 for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, 43 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name."
It's the opposite of our human logic. Instead of being big and bad and aloof, and causing fear, Solomon is asking God to be merciful and responsive, and he says that
this will engender fear in the populace, both Israelite and foreigner alike.
It may be helpful to think of fear as related to "awe" and "reverence". It's like the fear that came over the disciples when they saw Jesus do works of power. He didn't do works of destruction, but rather works of healing and restoration. This was so amazing that they were seized with trembling, astonishment, and wonder.
In spite of how awful we are, and have been, God's power is so great that He can restore us to Himself.