Bible Verses for What the Bible Says About Reverence
Reverence is the deep respect, awe, and holy fear that creatures owe to their Creator. Throughout Scripture it is presented not as cringing terror but as the proper posture of a heart that grasps who God truly is. The book of Hebrews makes reverence the natural response to receiving God's unshakable kingdom: "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:28-29). True worship, then, is not casual or careless but marked by godly fear and wonder. Reverence is also the foundation of true wisdom. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Proverbs 9:10). The same truth opens the praise of the psalmist: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding" (Psalm 111:10). To revere God is to begin to see all of life rightly, ordering one's priorities around his greatness rather than one's own. Without reverence, knowledge becomes mere information; with it, knowledge becomes wisdom that leads to obedience. The Preacher distills the whole of human duty into reverent obedience: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Reverence is not a single feeling but a way of life that bows the whole person before God. It is meant to permeate even the worship of heaven, for God is "greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him" (Psalm 89:7). If the angels approach him with awe, how much more should we. God himself values and rewards reverence, describing his covenant with Levi as one "of life and peace... and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name" (Malachi 2:5). Even the Lord Jesus, in his earthly life, offered prayers "with loud cries and tears... and he was heard because of his reverence" (Hebrews 5:7). The Son of God himself models the godly fear that pleases the Father. Reverence, far from being a relic of the Old Testament, is the abiding mark of those who know and worship the living God.
Key verse snapshot
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
Bible Verses about What the Bible Says About Reverence
7 Scripture passages on this theme
Hebrews 12:28
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
Psalms 111:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Psalms 89:7
“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.”
Malachi 2:5
“My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.”
Hebrews 5:7
“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does reverence mean in the Bible?
Why is the fear of the Lord called the beginning of wisdom?
How can I show reverence to God?
Apply These Verses to Your Life
Scripture comes alive when we meditate on it and apply it daily. Read these verses in full context, pray for understanding, and ask God how they speak to your situation with what the bible says about reverence.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido, Engineer
- Last updated:
- Category:
- Scripture Guidance