That you may fear command

I recently received a question regarding the song: “Lord, From the Depths to You I Cry”,  specifically regarding the last stanza of the second verse:

If you, O LORD, should mark our sins,

then who, O Lord, could stand?

But pardon can be found with you

that you may fear command.

What do we mean when we sing “that you may fear command?” This phrase might be misinterpreted as suggesting that the LORD is in fear of command or a command. It is pertinent to specify that the song's second verse is a rewording of Psalm 130:3-4:

"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared."

In other words, as the LORD graciously forgives the sins of His people, He commands fear to come upon them. This is what we mean when we sing the last stanza of the second verse. Bible commentator Matthew Henry comments on this portion of Psalm 130 by writing,

"And, particularly, we are to have a holy awe and reverence of God’s pardoning mercy (Hos. 3:5, They shall fear the Lord, and his goodness); and then we may expect the benefit of the forgiveness that is with God when we make it the object of our holy fear."

As we experience abundant grace and mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ we are to have a holy reverence for the LORD and His glorious grace. This is only possible by the inward working of the Holy Spirit, who conforms believers to the image of Christ. That we, as believers, may continually die to sin and live unto righteousness. The soul that fears the LORD is the one that cries out, “If you O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” and “I wait for the LORD my soul waits and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:3; 5) May God instill within us a holy fear for His name as we receive plentiful forgiveness in Christ.