What does it mean to be fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)?

TL;DR:

To be fearfully and wonderfully made emphasizes the remarkable way that God designed us, which is both complex and purposeful. It reveals the value and dignity inherent in every human being.

Psalm 139:14 emphasizes that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," highlighting the awe-inspiring intricacy and purpose with which God created us. The term "fearfully" reflects reverence and wonder, showcasing God's intentional and profound act of creation. This verse reveals our bodies as a testament to God's wisdom, power, and love, urging us to worship Him. Understanding this truth reinforces humanity’s worth and calls us to treat others with kindness and respect, recognizing their God-given value. Ultimately, being fearfully and wonderfully made motivates us to honor God by living according to His purpose and reflecting His love to others.

from the old testament

Psalm 139:14 makes the well-known statement, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." To be fearfully and wonderfully made reveals the inestimable worth of all human life.
To be "fearfully made," means that God created us with awe-inspiring intricacy, care, and purpose. The term "fearfully" reflects a sense of reverence and wonder, highlighting that our creation is an intentional and profound act by God, worthy of deep respect and amazement.
The words in this verse are a clear statement about the amazing capabilities of the human body God has created. Our bodies are made of billions of cells and a myriad of parts that can only be adequately explained by a loving and wise Creator and Designer (Genesis 1:26–27).
This verse also reveals that God designed us. Much care is involved in the creation of each human being. As the verses immediately following Psalm 139:14 say, "My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them" (Psalm 139:15-16).
God's qualities of having all power (omnipotence) and all knowledge (omniscience) are revealed in this verse. God asked Job a question on the same topic: "Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?" (Job 38:36). It's a rhetorical question; the answer is, of course, "God." No one else can take the credit for creating every person. No one else knows each person at the most intimate level.
Being fearfully and wonderfully made causes us to worship the Lord Almighty. He has created us in such wisdom, power, and love, and the only proper response is to honor Him and glorify His name. As the Psalms note elsewhere, "There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God" (Psalm 86:8–10).

from the new testament

The same God who created the universe (Genesis 1:1) also knows the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7), and He made us fearfully and wonderfully.

implications for today

Understanding that God has intricately designed each of us with care and purpose should lead us to a deeper sense of gratitude and worship. This awareness helps us appreciate the love and attention God has invested in our creation, motivating us to live in a way that honors Him. It also reinforces our self-worth, reminding us that we are valuable and intentional creations of God, and it gives us purpose, knowing that the God who created us did not do so without intention and purpose. When we live according to God’s ways with the plans He has for us, life goes best (John 15:1–17).

Understanding that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made motivates us to treat every person with kindness and respect, knowing that they too are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. This perspective encourages us to value the uniqueness of others, embracing their differences and showing love, seeing them the way God sees them. It also prompts us to be sources of encouragement, emphasizing the worth of those around us and supporting them in recognizing the beauty of how God created them. Whether through words or actions, we can reflect God's love and purposes by honoring the divine craftsmanship in each person we encounter.

understand

Being fearfully and wonderfully made means we are created with profound intentionality and purpose by God.
Being fearfully and wonderfully made reveals the inherent worth and dignity of every person as a unique creation.
Being fearfully and wonderfully made prompts us to worship God and to treat others with kindness and respect, honoring their inherent value.

reflect

How does recognizing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made impact your view of yourself and others?
How can you use this understanding to enhance your relationship with God and seek to live in His purposes for you?
How does knowing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made influence your interactions with others?

engage

Psalm 139:14 is often quoted, especially in discussions regarding the Christian pro-life position. To be fearfully and wonderfully made reveals the immense worth of all human life, which is why it is used in the protection of life at all levels, from the womb to the final breath of a person's life. This is why Christians care deeply about the protection of life in the womb (Psalm 139:13), caring for those mistreated or undervalued by others in society (Proverbs 31:8–9), and for the elderly and those with terminal illnesses.
How does the concept of being "fearfully made" shape our view of God's involvement and care in the creation of each individual?
How can the acknowledgment of every person’s inherent value, as revealed by being fearfully and wonderfully made, affect societal issues like justice, equality, and respect for life?