Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
This verse is part of a hymn sung in Revelation by people who have endured intense persecution and remained faithful. It's called the "Song of Moses and the Lamb" — deliberately echoing the ancient victory song Moses and the Israelites sang after God miraculously parted the Red Sea and delivered them from the Egyptian army (Exodus 15). The rhetorical question "Who will not fear you, O Lord?" implies the answer is no one — eventually, no one will be able to deny who God is. "You alone are holy" sets God apart from every human ruler, empire, or idol. His "righteous acts" — his faithful, just dealings with humanity — will ultimately be put on full display before all nations.
Lord, you alone are holy, and one day every knee will bow before you. Help me not wait for the other shore to start worshiping — teach me to trust your righteous acts even before I can fully see them. I come before you today with wonder and with need. Amen.
There's a kind of song you can only sing from the other side of something. Moses sang his after standing in a dry seabed with walls of water on either side, watching Pharaoh's army disappear. The singers in Revelation sing theirs after passing through what the text describes as nearly unbearable. You don't write a song like this from a comfortable chair. You write it when you're stunned — when the thing you feared didn't swallow you whole, when God showed up in a way that left you breathless. "Who will not fear you?" isn't a threat. It's the question that answers itself the moment you've survived the crossing. Most of us are still mid-crossing — somewhere between the army behind us and the far shore ahead, not sure if the walls of water are going to hold. This song is a gift from people who've been exactly where we are and seen what comes next. The righteous acts of God will be revealed — not whispered about in quiet faith circles, but seen. That's not wishful thinking. It's the testimony of every person who has ever made it through something that should have broken them. You can hum it now, even if you can't yet sing it at full volume.
The verse says "all nations will come and worship before you." What do you think this means — a single moment at the end of history, a gradual movement across time, or something else entirely?
When have you personally witnessed what felt like a "righteous act" of God — a moment of justice, rescue, or unexpected faithfulness — that made you want to stop and give genuine thanks?
This song asks "who will not fear you?" as if the answer is obvious. How do you personally understand the fear of God — reverence, awe, dread, or something else — and does your answer shape how close you feel to him day to day?
This hymn was sung by people who had endured terrible suffering before they could sing it. Does knowing their context change how you hear the words? Can praise feel more honest — or more costly — after real pain?
Is there a situation in your life right now where you're waiting for God's righteous acts to become clear? What would it look like to offer even a partial, imperfect version of this song while you wait?
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
Psalms 22:27
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelation 14:7
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Isaiah 66:22
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 1:11
"Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You alone are holy; For all the nations shall come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed."
AMP
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
ESV
'Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.'
NASB
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
NIV
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”
NKJV
Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”
NLT
Who can fail to fear you, God, give glory to your Name? Because you and you only are holy, all nations will come and worship you, because they see your judgments are right.
MSG