Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before Him with trembling.
This verse brings together fear and joy. Serving the Lord should not be careless or irreverent, because He is a holy and great King. At the same time, service should not be gloomy slavery, because the presence of God is also a source of joy. The expression “Rejoice with trembling” describes the healthy balance of worship: the believer approaches God with confidence, but not with irreverence. Divine fear is not terror for those who rely on His mercy. It is reverence that keeps a person from sin and teaches him to value the greatness of the Lord. Joy and fear are not opposed to each other. The more deeply we know God’s holiness, the greater our gratitude becomes for His grace. This verse calls the believer to serve God with the whole heart, with humility, joy, and responsibility.