What does Psalms 119:120 mean?
"My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments." - Psalms 119:120

The verse Psalms 119:120 in the King James Version reads: "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments." This verse is part of Psalm 119, which is the longest psalm in the Book of Psalms and is known for its focus on the importance and beauty of God's Word.
In order to fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it is important to consider its context within the larger psalm. Psalm 119 is a psalm of praise and supplication, where the psalmist expresses his deep love for God's law and his reliance on it for guidance and strength. The psalmist also acknowledges his own struggles and shortcomings, and seeks God's help in remaining faithful to His commandments.
In Psalm 119:120, the psalmist expresses a deep sense of reverence and fear towards God. The phrase "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee" reflects the psalmist's intense awe and respect for the Almighty. This fear is not one of dread or terror, but rather a reverential fear that acknowledges the greatness and holiness of God. It is the fear that comes from recognizing God's power and sovereignty over all things.
The second part of the verse, "and I am afraid of thy judgments," further emphasizes the psalmist's reverence for God. The judgments of God refer to His righteous standards and the consequences of disobedience to His commandments. The psalmist is not just fearful of God's judgments in a punitive sense, but rather he is sobered by the weight of God's standards and the accountability that comes with living in accordance with them.
This verse touches on a significant theme found throughout the Book of Psalms, which is the tension between reverence for God and the awareness of one's own human frailty. The psalmist recognizes his own vulnerability and need for God's guidance and grace. This tension is further highlighted in Psalm 119:70, where the psalmist acknowledges that "their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law." Despite recognizing the failings of others, the psalmist remains committed to delighting in God's law and seeking His guidance.
Symbolism also plays a significant role in this verse. The trembling of the flesh can be seen as a physical manifestation of the psalmist's fear and reverence for God. It is a bodily response to the overwhelming presence of the divine. This trembling also serves as a reminder of the psalmist's own mortality and limitations in the presence of the eternal and powerful God.
The fear of God's judgments can also be seen as a symbolic representation of the moral accountability that comes with being a follower of God. The psalmist recognizes the weight of God's righteous standards and the consequences of disobedience. This fear inspires a sense of humility and reliance on God's guidance and mercy.
In summary, Psalm 119:120 is a verse that captures the psalmist's deep reverence and fear of God, as well as his recognition of the weight of God's judgments. It serves as a poignant reminder of the tension between human frailty and the holiness of God, and the need for humility and reliance on God's guidance and grace. This verse continues to resonate with believers as a powerful expression of reverence and reliance on the Almighty.
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Psalms 119:120 - "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments."
"My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments." - Psalms 119:120
Psalms 120:4 - "Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper."
Psalms 120:7 - "I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war."
Psalms 120:6 - "My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace."
"My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace." - Psalms 120:6
"Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!" - Psalms 120:5
Psalms 120:1 - "In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me."
Psalms 120:5 - "Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!"
Psalms 120:2 - "Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue."
"Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper." - Psalms 120:4
Psalms 120:3 - "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?"
"I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war." - Psalms 120:7
"What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?" - Psalms 120:3
Psalms 119:153 - "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law."
Psalms 119:174 - "I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight."
Psalms 119:61 - "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law."
Psalms 119:32 - "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart."
"In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me." - Psalms 120:1
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Psalms 119:176 - "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments."
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Psalms 119:119 - "Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies."
"Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue." - Psalms 120:2
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Psalms 119:3 - "They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways."
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Psalms 119:122 - "Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me."