Want to learn more about your identity in Christ?
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Beautiful words, right?
Honestly, the whole passage where this verse comes from is full of beautiful words and meaning.
But what does βI am fearfully and wonderfully madeβ mean?
Could it be as simple as it sounds? God thinks Iβm wonderful and uhβ¦I guess fearful all at the same time. I get it, easy peasy.
Ha, close but no cigar.
The meaning behind this famous verse is incredibly simplistic and also oceans deep. Which could also be true for the entire Bible, which is why we love this extraordinary book so darn much, right?
Keeps us on our toes…
But the meaning behind Psalm 139:14, βI am fearfully and wonderfully madeβ is honestly ridiculously revelatory.
No joke, my sense of self-worth bumped up like, 3 notches after doing this study.
I hope itβll do the same for you because it doesnβt matter who you are or where you are from, you my friend, are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Letβs dive in!
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Meaning
Have you ever looked in the mirror and told yourself that you are average, inadequate, or not enough? If so, then youβre not seeing yourself the way God sees you.
You are not seeing yourself as a result of Godβs divine creation.
Listen to what God says about you:
βI praise youΒ because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.βPsalm 139:14 (NIV)
This verse is nestled inside of Psalm 139 which might just be one of my favorite psalms because it is full of meaning and comforting passages about how God is an ever-present presence in our lives.
God is constantly aware of our problems and needs.
However, the key verse we want to highlight is, βI am fearfully and wonderfully madeβ. This is probably not a new verse for you. Maybe youβve heard it before at church, or at least seen it on Pinterest boards, Instagram posts, or perhaps even t-shirts.
But, what does I amΒ fearfully and wonderfully made even mean?
In Psalm 139:14, the psalmist, David, is praising God because he is overwhelmed by the majesty of a God who could create him in such an intricate and unique way.
David is in complete awe of our amazing God.
However, to say, βI am fearfully and wonderfully madeβ while praising God is kind of an odd thing to do, right?
So, let’s look a bit closer at what’s going on here.
The word βwonderfullyβ is the Hebrew word βpalaβ, which means to be separate, distinguished, or unique. Basically it means that God made you to be special.
No, Iβm not trying to flatter you, it really means that!
There is no one else like you. You are the only you that God has ever created. God made you to be special, distinguished, and unique.Β
But this verse doesnβt end with you simply being wonderfully made, it says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The βwonderfullyβ part might be easier to understand without needing a deeper level of explanation.
But the fearfully part?! Thatβs a very interesting word for David to use isnβt it?
The word βfearfullyβ used in this passage of scripture is the Hebrew word βyareβ, which is the same word the Bible uses when referring to have a βfear of the Lordβ.Β
When the Bible speaks of βfearing the Lordβ, it doesnβt mean we are to be terrified of God. We arenβt to be constantly walking on eggshells, quivering in fear before God. Instead, what βfear of the Lordβ is referring to is we are to have a respect and reverence for God.
Hereβs a few examples of how the fear of the Lord is used in the Bible in reference to respecting and revering God:
βOne the third day Joseph said to them, βI am a God-fearing man. If you do as I say, you will live.ββ
Genesis 42:18 (NLT)Β
βAnd because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.β
Exodus 1:21 (NLT)
In these verses the word βfearβ isnβt used in reference to being absolutely terrified of God, but instead to have a deep respect and reverence for God. We follow God and obey God because we respect His ways and who He is.
We stand in awe of how great and mighty our God is and we come to Him in praise because He is worthy of our praise.Β
Praising God because God is worthy of our praise is exactly what David is doing in Psalm 139:14. David is coming to the Lord saying, βLord, I praise youΒ because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!β.
It may sound ever so slightly self-absorbed but itβs actually not at all. Itβs like David is saying, βLord, how great is your work, except your βworkβ is me! Therefore, how great am I?
However, I am only great because it is the greatness of God that makes me great. In the same way, I am only wonderful because Godβs wonderfulness makes me wonderful.
Make sense?
You see, it was God that created your innermost being and it was God that knitted you together in your motherβs womb.
Psalm 139 says:
βFor you created my innermost being;
You knit me together in my motherβs womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.β
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
So what David is saying is, βLord, I praise you because of how amazing you made me!β. David is praising God, because of how amazing God made David to be.
Every single person is a masterpiece of God. Think about it, thereβs seven billion people on the planet, but there is no one else with your finger print, or with your retina scan.
You are unique.
You are an original design.
Diamonds are expensive because they are rare, but youβre not rare. Youβre the only one that exists. Or will ever exist!!
That makes you priceless.
You are a masterpiece. You are a priceless work of art. It is because God is wonderful, that we are wonderful.
Now letβs take it one step further, it is because we are to fear God that we are fearfully made.
Remember the word βfearfullyβ here is the Hebrew word βyareβ which means to respect, to revere, to honor, to stand in awe of, and to be afraid of.
So, when God says you are fearfully made, what He means is when God made you, He made you full of respect, reverence, honor, and awe.
It is because God is worthy of respect, that we are respectfully made.
It is because God is worthy of reverence, that we are made in reverence.
It is because God is worthy of honor, that we are made in honor.
It is because we stand in awe of God, that we are an awe-inspiring creation.
Everything that we are first comes from the source of everything that He is.
We are made in the image of God.
Read More: What Does It Mean to Be Made in the Image of God?
Remember that when David wrote Psalm 139:14, David was praising God, because of how amazing God created David to be.
However, what is the opposite of praise? Itβs criticism. So, when we say we are worthless, not enough, or insignificant, we are not only criticizing ourselves, but we are also criticizing the God who made us!
Think about that.
When you criticize yourself, you are also criticizing the God who made you. But God doesnβt make mistakes.
Psalm 18 says:
βAs for God, His way is perfect: The LORDβs word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.β
Psalm 18:30
Godβs way is perfect, and His Word is flawless. That means when Godβs Word says that He created your innermost being, then that means God designed you exactly the way He wanted you to be.
βFor you created my innermost being;
You knit me together in my motherβs womb.β
Psalm 139:13 (NIV)
When Godβs Word says you are His masterpiece, then you really are His masterpiece.
βFor we are Godβs masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.β
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
When you look at yourself and everything that makes you (your giftings, your anointings, and your talents), you should stand in awe of what God has created in you.
You should thank Him and honor Him for everything He has given you, and the gift of life He has bestowed upon you.
To be fearfully and wonderfully made is not just a feel-good Bible verse, there is real power and authority that comes with being fearfully and wonderfully made. The same Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.
βThe Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.β
Romans 8:11 (NLT)
Never give into the lie that you are anything less than the most wonderful reflection of our glorious God, who is worthy of honor and praise.Β Remember, you are made in the image and likeness of God.
So, just as David did, give God all the glory and praise because of how fearfully and wonderfully He has made you!
More Resources for Understanding What it Means to Be Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
My signature course,Β Passport from Heaven will also help you understand what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made!
In it I do a deep dive on what the Bible says about your identity in Christ, and how knowing these truths will quite literally change your life. As you can tell, I am very passionate about it.Β If youβre interested, click here to check it out!
Bible Study Resources!
Just for fun, hereβs some of my favorite Bible study tools that have really helped me in understanding the Word of God:
Favorite Bibles and Commentaries:
Favorite Books and Devotionals:
Bible Journaling Supplies:
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- Dual Tip Brush HighlightersΒ (they donβt bleed!)
- Colorful Sticky NotesΒ (Iβm a big fan of the color scheme in their Bali Collection)
- Bible TabsΒ (Rose colored)
- Washi Tape
- Bible Journaling Collection Set
Read More
The 10 Most Accurate Bible Translations
Β Bible Overview: Summary of the Entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation
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Have more questions about the verse “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”? Let me know in the comments below!
Wowwww!!! this was soooo good!!!! spoke to me on so many levels and opened my eyes to how much meaning there is behind this piece of scripture that I’ve read through so many times- praise God!!!! only God could’ve made me the beautiful special creation that I am today ! <3 will revel in that thought today!
Amen to that! I am so glad God was able to speak to you through it! That is my greatest goal. π
I was realty really really really really blessed by your post, Thank God, who through His mercies and boundless grace, helped me to come across your blog. May God continue to speak through you and may His grace to spread His kingdom in Spirit and in Truth be upon you In Jesus Name, Amen.!!!π Stay blessed sis β¨. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made because of HIM, PRAISE GOD!!! ππ₯π₯π₯
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this passage. Iβve known this passage years but never understood how we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Thanks for shining light on that, so great to remember I am totally unique and created with honor and respect!
I am so glad it was helpful! We are all so special and created so wonderfully!
How do I respond to my 19 year old granddaughter who is in the process of becoming male? She is taking hormone shots and planning on having her breasts removed soon. She calls it “top surgery”
She believes a mistake was made at the point of birth. She was brought up in church and still believes in God. My husband is a retired pastor and this is breaking our hearts.
Hi Sandra! Thank you so much for reaching out and I completely understand how difficult this is for you and your family. There are so many things I would love to say, and ministering over a platform like this is always challenging. However, what I would encourage you to do is to continue showing her love despite her life choices and what she is wanting to do with her body. I am assuming she is aware of your view regarding her decision, and making her feel rejected by your family, or like an outcast, only worsens the pains that are already in her heart. I would also encourage you to press in and pray and fast for her. Prayer is your greatest weapon and I would surround her in prayer, even asking your church community to pray for her. I will also be lifting her up in prayer, as well as you. I hope this helps you, I am sending you lots of love my sister in Christ! Tiffany
Very well explained. I was actually meditating on this. I am really blessed because my thoughts we completed after reading this. God bless you.
That is so amazing to hear, Sheetal! I love it when God confirms something you’re already feeling in your heart. He is so good! Have a blessed week, my friend! <3
I have never seen this passage from this perspective. Thank you lavender vines for throwing more light.
You are very welcome! I am so happy it was helpful. π Have a blessed day!
I love this message. Thank you for studying, contemplating, and sharing this. You really have grasped the meaning of the text. This reminds me of many things.
You are very welcome!! Thank you for your message! π
Thanks so much more Grace
Really great work, I love the reminder at the end about criticism. The whole chapter he’s praising God and what are we doing when we listen to the lies of the enemy?! So good!
Thank you so much, Joshua! I am so glad it was helpful!
Literally cried the entire way through! The part that got me was when you criticize yourself, you are criticizing God. That hit deep because the last thing I want to is criticize My Heavenly Father.
Thank you so much, Iβm following you on all your social medias because I love the way you explain scriptures, Iβve never heard a scripture explained so detailed and I love it!
I had to share this with my bestie!
I am so happy you were touched! God is so, so good!! Thank you for sharing π
Hello Tiffany good morning to you I am now doing my morning devotions Psm. 139 14-16. I decided to delve deeper as I read this several times over taught an R.I. class on it. Bounced into your explanation for the first time an was gripped by your perspective. Oh “The wonder of how God made you/me”
despite the effects of the Fall we are awesome creations of God. Thank you.
Hi Merla! It makes me so happy to read this, thank you so much for sharing! Our God is so good!!
Thanks so much more Grace. this was soooo good!
I was realty really really really really blessed by your post, Thank God, who through His mercies and boundless grace, helped me to come across your blog. May God continue to speak through you and may His grace to spread His kingdom in Spirit and in Truth be upon you In Jesus Name, Amen.!!!π Stay blessed sis β¨. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made because of HIM, PRAISE GOD!!! ππ₯π₯π₯
Amen, I am so happy this post blessed you!