Psalms 2:11

Psa 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, 1Jn 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 sed caventes a recidivo. Those good women went from Christ’s sepulchre with fear and great joy. We should come to him in his ordinances similarly affected.