Isaiah 51
7,8

7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
nor be dismayed at their revilings.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool;
but my righteousness will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations.”

The people are encouraged not to fear human and earthly afflictions. Rather, it is implied that they should fear the LORD, who will deliver them.

12-16

12 “I, I am he who comforts you;
who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
of the son of man who is made like grass,
13 and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
when he sets himself to destroy?
And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
14 He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;
he shall not die and go down to the pit,
neither shall his bread be lacking.
15 I am the Lord your God,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord of hosts is his name.
16 And I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
establishing the heavens
and laying the foundations of the earth,
and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

The LORD contrasts humanity with himself, and asks, “who is more to to be feared, your enemies or me?” In evoking their fear, not only does He point to His awesomely powerful works in creation, He also includes the fact that he has put His words in their mouths and claimed them as His special chosen people. The call is for them to keep their gaze fixed on Him, and not on anything else.

Other posts of the series

1. The Fear of the LORD in Job -
2. Quotes from "The Fear of God" by John Murray -
3. Fear-of-the-LORD exemplified in 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 -
4. Fear -
5. Fear -
6. Fear -
7. Fear (This post)
8. Fear -
9. Fear -
10. Fear -