Psalms 33:18

33:18 Look, the Lord takes notice of his loyal followers, 1 

those who wait for him to demonstrate his faithfulness 2 

Psalms 118:4

118:4 Let the loyal followers of the Lord 3  say,

“Yes, his loyal love endures!”

Psalms 147:11

147:11 The Lord takes delight in his faithful followers, 4 

and in those who wait for his loyal love.

Proverbs 14:26

14:26 In the fear of the Lord one has 5  strong confidence, 6 

and it will be a refuge 7  for his children.

Proverbs 30:5

30:5 Every word of God is purified; 8 

he is like 9  a shield for those who take refuge in him. 10 

Acts 10:35

10:35 but in every nation 11  the person who fears him 12  and does what is right 13  is welcomed before him.

Revelation 19:5

19:5 Then 14  a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God

all you his servants,

and all you who fear Him,

both the small and the great!”

1 tn Heb “look, the eye of the Lord [is] toward the ones who fear him.” The expression “the eye…[is] toward” here indicates recognition and the bestowing of favor. See Ps 34:15. The one who fears the Lord respects his sovereignty and obeys his commandments. See Ps 128:1; Prov 14:2.

2 tn Heb “for the ones who wait for his faithfulness.”

3 tn Heb “fearers of the Lord.” See Ps 15:4.

4 tn Heb “those who fear him.”

5 tn Heb “In the fear of the Lord [is] confidence of strength.” The phrase “one has” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.

6 tn Heb “confidence of strength.” This construct phrase features an attributive genitive: “strong confidence” (so most English versions; NIV “a secure fortress”).

7 sn The fear of the Lord will not only provide security for the parent but will also be a refuge for children. The line recalls Exod 20:5-6 where children will reap the benefits of the righteous parents. The line could also be read as “he [= God] will be a refuge for the children.”

8 sn The text here uses an implied comparison (a figure of speech known as hypocatastasis): It compares the perfection of every word from God with some precious metal that has been refined and purified (e.g., Ps 12:6). The point is that God’s word is trustworthy; it has no defects and flaws, nothing false or misleading. The second half of the verse explains the significance of this point – it is safe to trust the Lord.

9 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.

10 sn The line uses two more figures of speech to declare that God can be trusted for security and salvation. “Shield” is a simple metaphor – God protects. “Take refuge” is another implied comparison (hypocatastasis) – God provides spiritual rest and security for those who put their trust in him.

11 sn See Luke 24:47.

12 tn Or “shows reverence for him.”

13 tn Grk “works righteousness”; the translation “does what is right” for this phrase in this verse is given by L&N 25.85.

14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.