“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.”
(Psalm 130:3-4 NASB)
It might seem strange that the psalmist’s response to God’s forgiveness in these verses is one of fear instead of devotion, love, or gratitude. But the experience of an Old Testament prince-turned-exile named Mephibosheth may offer some help in understanding why.
Mephibosheth was King Saul’s grandson, so as a young child he enjoyed life in the royal palace. But when Mephibosheth was 5 years old both his father and grandfather were killed in a gruesome battle with David’s armies at Mount Gilboa (1 Sam. 31).
Once news of their deaths reached the palace, everyone panicked. His nurse grabbed Mephibosheth and fled for their lives as she feared David’s army would come slaughter all potential heirs to Saul’s throne. But in her frantic attempt to escape she dropped young Mephibosheth and as a result he was crippled for life.
Many years later, Scripture tells us that Mephibosheth is living in exile in a remote area east of the Jordan River – almost 100 miles from the same palace where David now reigns over Jerusalem. After some investigating, King David found out where Mephibosheth was and sent his royal messengers to bring him to the palace.
When they showed up, naturally Mephibosheth was overcome with fear. He had no idea why King David would send for him, but he suspected the worst because he’d heard stories of how his grandfather was so jealous of David that he’d tried to kill him several different times.
That’s not the only reason he was filled with fear, however. Mephibosheth was ashamed to appear before King David in his poor, crippled condition. But since he couldn’t run or resist, there was nothing left to do but comply.
Carried and placed on the floor at the base of the steps before King David’s throne, Mephibosheth didn’t dare look up. Head bowed, he barely mustered the courage to utter “Your servant…” and awaited his death sentence.
But instead, David responded: “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”
Mephibosheth surely misunderstood the king. “What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?”
Crippled and broken, without hope and without inheritance… exiled in the desert miles from the palace. And yet King David is extending kindness, forgiveness, and a place at his table. On realizing his dire condition in contrast to the power of the king who could do whatever he pleased, Mephibosheth responded with reverent fear and trembling.
Only when we rightly see the depravity and shame of our sinful state in contrast to God’s power, righteousness, and ability to do whatever He pleases can we even begin to understand how we should respond before the King of kings. Without this realization, believers cannot apprehend the magnitude of God’s forgiveness, the richness of His salvation, and the incomprehensibility of His justification. Only when we see this, can we appreciate the Psalmist’s point.
Robert South said, “If God punished sin by a necessary outlet of His justice, then He must punish it to the utmost that justice requires, and the utmost that the sin deserves.” This is a terrible and fearful thought. Yet, none fear the Lord like those who have experienced His forgiving love. Without understanding the power and guilt of sin, of the holiness and severity of the Law, they will never appreciate the Psalmist’s point. Nor will they ever understand the greatness of the doctrine of being saved and justified by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Men cannot be justified in the sight of God by anything other than Jesus Christ and his righteousness (cf. Romans 1-3). Gratitude for pardon in Christ produces a biblical fear and reverence of God more than all the dread which is inspired by punishment. It is grace that leads the way to a holy regard for God, and subsequently a fear of grieving Him.
