Psalms 2:11 — Word Study
WLCעִבְד֣וּ אֶת־ יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה׃
BSAServeʻâbad [with reverence, in bondage to] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] with fearyirʼâh [reverence, respect, or awe] and rejoicegîyl [be glad, express joy] with tremblingraʻad [quaking, anxiety, or fear of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עִבְד֣וּ | serve | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine plural |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| יְהוָ֣ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| בְּיִרְאָ֑ה | with fear | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ | and rejoice | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person masculine plural |
| בִּרְעָדָֽה׃ | with trembling | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. |
| KJV | Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. |
| ASV | Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling. |
| YLT | Serve ye Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling. |
| WEB | Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling. |
| BBE | Give worship to the Lord with fear, kissing his feet and giving him honour, |
Translations agree on the key verbs but may vary in their nuances of reverence and joy.
The verse consists of two main commands that are balanced, emphasizing both the call to serve and the call to rejoice.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָבַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 2:11
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Call to Serve the LORDgenerated
Psalm 2:11 emphasizes the importance of serving the LORD with a sense of reverence and joy. The psalmist addresses rulers, urging them to recognize God's authority and respond appropriately. This verse sits within a context that highlights God's sovereignty over the nations and the appropriate response of His subjects, as seen in the surrounding verses that call for wisdom and caution.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 89:7 | In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him. |
| 2 | Hebrews 12:28–29 | Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. |
| 3 | Psalm 95:1–8 | Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! |
| 4 | Psalm 97:1 | The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad. |
| 5 | Psalm 99:1 | The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עִבְד֣וּ, 'iv.Dugenerated
The verb עָבַד (abad) means to serve or work, and it conveys a range of meanings from laboring for others to serving God. The imperative form here indicates a command directed at the audience, emphasizing the necessity of serving God with reverence.
This word can imply a sense of bondage or dedication, particularly in a religious context. The use of this verb in the psalm underscores the seriousness of the call to serve the LORD, as it denotes a commitment that is both respectful and devoted.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the rendering of the key verbs.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, each with its own verb: עִבְד֣וּ (serve) and גִ֗ילוּ (rejoice). The structure emphasizes the dual responses expected from the audience.
The Hebrew word order places the commands at the forefront, highlighting their importance. The prepositional phrases that follow each verb clarify the manner in which these actions should be performed.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew עִבְד֣וּ is rendered as δουλεύσατε (douleusate), which carries a connotation of servitude or slavery. This choice emphasizes the depth of commitment expected in serving God.
The Greek translation of גִ֗ילוּ as ἀγαλλιᾶσθε (agalaiasthe) suggests a joyful expression that aligns with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the call to rejoice in God's presence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 2:11 calls on rulers to serve the LORD with reverence and to rejoice with awe. This verse highlights the dual nature of our response to God: we are to honor Him while also expressing joy in His presence.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Serving the LORD with fear means to approach Him with reverence and respect, recognizing His authority and holiness.
Rejoicing with trembling suggests a deep joy that is accompanied by awe and recognition of God's power and majesty.
Fear in this context emphasizes the seriousness of serving God, highlighting the need for respect and acknowledgment of His greatness.
Trembling reflects a physical response to the awareness of God's presence, indicating both joy and reverence.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I serve God with reverence in my daily life?
- How can I express joy in my relationship with God while maintaining a sense of awe?
- What does it mean to you to rejoice with trembling?
- How can understanding God's authority influence the way I serve Him?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, like Augustine, have commented on this verse, emphasizing the importance of serving God with humility and joy.
"Serve the Lord with fear;" lest what is said, "You kings and judges of the earth," turn into pride: "And rejoice with trembling" [Psalms 2:11].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 2 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 2:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleServe the Lord with fear,.... Not the creature, neither more, nor besides, nor with the Creator; God and mammon cannot both be served; nor any fictitious and nominal deities, the idols of the
Read John Gill on Psalms 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryServe the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Serve the Lord - instead of 'taking counsel together' to cast away the bands of Yahweh and His Messiah (Psalms 2:2-3).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 2 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWith fear, i.e. with reverence, and an awful sense of his great and glorious majesty, as very careful and diligent to please him, and afraid to offend him. Rejoice; do not esteem his yoke your dishonour and grievance; but know that it is a greater glory and happiness to be the subjects of this King, than to be emperors of the greatest empire; and accordingly rejoice in it, and bless God for this inestimable grace and benefit. With trembling: this is added to express the quality of this joy to which he calls them, and to distinguish it from that carnal and worldly rejoicing which is usually attended with security, and presumption, and licentiousness, and to warn them to take heed that they…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 2 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.Ver. 11. Serve the Lord with fear] Timore non servili sed amicali, with reverence and godly fear, Hebrews 12:28. Say to Christ, as the people did to Joshua, Joshua 1:16, and as the rulers and elders of Israel did to Jehu, 2 Kings 10:5, "We are thy servants, and will do all thou shalt bid us." And rejoice before him with trembling] A strange mixture of contrary passions (for base fear hath torment, 1 John 4:18), but such as is usual with God’ s servants, whose task it is to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12. Agreeable whereunto is that of Bernard, Laeti simus sed non securi; gaudentes in Domino…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 2 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 11. Serve the Lord with fear] A general direction to all men. Fear God with that reverence which is due to his supreme majesty. Serve him as subjects should their sovereign, and as servants should their master. Rejoice with trembling.] If ye serve God aright, ye cannot but be happy; but let a continual filial fear moderate all your joys. Ye must all stand at last before the judgment-seat of God; watch, pray, believe, work, and keep humble.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 2 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges11. Serve] The context indicates that political submission to Jehovah in the person of His representative is primarily intended. Cp. Psalms 18:43; Psalms 72:11. But the wider meaning must not be excluded. Serve and fear are words constantly used with a religious meaning; and political submission to Israel is only the prelude to that spiritual submission of the nations to Jehovah, which is a constant element in the Messianic expectation of the O.T. Cp. Psalms 22:27-28; Psalms 67:7; Psalms 100:1 ff.; Psalms 102:15; &c. rejoice with trembling] There is no need to alter the reading to tremble (Psalms 96:9) or to look for this meaning in the word rendered rejoice. Joyfulness tempered with…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 2 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleServe the Lord with fear - With reverence, and with deep apprehensions of the consequences of not serving and obeying him.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 2 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10-12. Be wise now—An admonition to kings and rulers to make peace with King Messiah. Be instructed—Be corrected, chastened, restrained.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve the Lord in fear! Repent in terror!
Tyndale line
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serue the Lord in feare, and reioyce in trembling.
Strictly literal
Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve ye Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Serve YHWH with fear, || And rejoice with trembling.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Worship Yahweh in fear and rejoice with trembling.
From the Latin
Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling.
Simplified
Serve the Lord in reverence, celebrate with trembling!
Give worship to the Lord with fear, kissing his feet and giving him honour,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־ יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה׃. The Septuagint matches 4 of the 6 words, indicating a strong correspondence between the two texts, though its word order differs.
עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־ יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 2:11
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to work or serve, encompassing a range of activities from laboring for others to serving God, including Levitical service. It can also refer to the cultivation of land or the act of enslaving. The word appears in various forms, indicating different nuances of service and labor.
עָבַד 290 vb. work, serve
Qal
labour, work, do work
work for another, serve him by labour
serve as subjects
serve God
serve י׳ with Levitical service
Niph.
be tilled, of land
dub. cultivated field
Pu. worked
Hiph.
compel to labour as slaves
make to serve as subjects
cause to serve God
Hoph. be led or enticed to serve
base
H5647 עָבַד work, serve .. labour, work, do work
. work for another, serve him by labour
. serve as subjects
. serve God
. serve י׳ with Levitical service
. . be tilled, of land
. dub. cultivated field
. worked
. . compel to labour as slaves
. make to serve as subjects
. cause to serve God
. be led or enticed to serve
5647 `abad aw-bad'
a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to
serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.:--X be, keep in
bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear,
execute, + husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass,
(cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become)
servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from
margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve.
: serve[someone]
1) to work, serve
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to labour, work, do work
1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour
1a3) to serve as subjects
1a4) to serve (God)
1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)
1b2) to make oneself a servant
1c) (Pual) to be worked
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve
1d2) to cause to serve as subjects
1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve: minister.
: minister/serve[God/tabernacle/temple]/worship
1) to work, serve
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to labour, work, do work
1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour
1a3) to serve as subjects
1a4) to serve (God)
1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)
1b2) to make oneself a servant
1c) (Pual) to be worked
1d) (Hiphil)
V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine pluralHVqv2mp
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
יִרְאָה (yir'ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' encompassing both the emotion and the concept of reverence, particularly in relation to God. It can denote an object that causes fear or the respect and piety associated with divine authority. The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions without significant disagreement.
יִרְאָה n.f. fear
fear, terror
a terror = obj. of terror
fear of God, reverence, piety
the fear of י׳ the law as revered.
base
H3374 יִרְאָה fear
3374 yir'ah yir-aw'
feminine of 3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally,
reverence:--X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear(-fulness).
see HEBREW for 03373
יִרְאָה (yir.ah) — fear.
1) fear, terror, fearing
1a) fear, terror
1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
1d) revered
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
fer (yir'ah, yare'; phobos, phobeo):
Terms, etc.:
"Fear" is the translation of many words in the Old Testament; the chief are: yir'ah, "fear," "terror," "reverence," "awe," most often "the fear of God," "fear of Yahweh" (Ge 20:11; 2Ch 19:9, etc.); also of "fear" generally (Job 22:4; Isa 7:25; Eze 30:13, etc.); yare', "to be afraid," "to fear," "to reverence" (Ge 15:1; Le 19:3,14; De 6:2, etc.); pachadh, "fear," "terror," "dread" (
→ See COWARDICE
→ Also see FEAR OF GOD, below
גִּיל (giyl) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad, often associated with a sense of excitement or levity. It can also imply trembling, particularly from fear. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of spinning around due to strong emotions, covering both joy and fear.
[גִּיל] vb. rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
Qal
rejoice
tremble
base
H1523 גִּיל rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
1523 giyl gheel
or (by permutation) guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly,
to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion),
i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear:--be glad, joy,
be joyful, rejoice.
גִּיל (gil) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, exult, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to tremble (from fear)
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine pluralHC/Vqv2mp
רַ֫עַד (ra'ad) means 'trembling' and is closely related to רְעַדָה (re'adah), which also means 'trembling.' Both forms derive from the same root, indicating a sense of shuddering or fear. The entries consistently emphasize this meaning without significant disagreement.
רַ֫עַד n.m. trembling
base
רְעַדָה n.f. id. [t.dj.ab]
base
H7461a רַ֫עַד trembling H7461b רְעַדָה id. [7461a]
7461 ra`ad rah'-ad
or (feminine) radah {reh-aw-daw'}; from 7460; a
shudder:--trembling.
see HEBREW for 07460
רַ֫עַד (ra.ad) — trembling.
trembling
Another spelling of re.a.dah (רְעַדָה "trembling" H7461B)
רְעַדָה (re.a.dah) — trembling.
trembling
Also means: ra.ad (רַ֫עַד "trembling" H7461A)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa