How is God perceived by his people throughout the Bible?

Answer 1

A God to be feared Leviticus 2517 Thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 410 That they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children Deuteronomy 62 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments. Deuteronomy 613, 10:20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 624 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God. Deuteronomy 1012 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 1423 ...that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. Deuteronomy 3112 Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 3113 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God. Joshua 424 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever. Joshua 2414 Fear the Lord ... and put away the gods which your fathers served. 1 Samuel 1214 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: 1 Samuel 1224 Fear the Lord. 2 Kings 1739 But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. 1 Chronicles 1625 The Lord ... is to be feared above all gods. Nehemiah 59 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? Job 2828 The fear of the LORD, that is wisdom. Psalm 199 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever. Psalm 2514 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him. Psalm 338 Let all the earth fear the LORD. Psalm 3318 The eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him. Psalm 349 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. Psalm 964 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 10311 Great is his mercy toward them that fear him. Psalm 10313 The LORD pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 10317 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him. Psalm 11110 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 1121 Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD. Psalm 11513 He will bless them that fear the LORD. Psalm 1281 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD. Psalm 4711 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him. Proverbs 17 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 142 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD. Proverbs 224 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Proverbs 2421 My son, fear thou the LORD. Ecclesiates 57 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. Ecclesiastes 1213 Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Isaiah 813 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. Hosea 35 Fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. Malachi 24-5 ...that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. Jeremaih 522 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence? Matthew 1028, Luke 12:5 Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Luke 150 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. Romans 310-18 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ... There is no fear of God before their eyes. 2 Corinthians 71 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Ephesians 521 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Colossians 322 Servants, obey in all thingsyour masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. Hebrews 1031 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 1 Peter 217 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Revelation 147 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come. Revelation 154 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord?

Answer 2

Scholars tell us that the biblical source associated with the early southern Hebrew kingdom, Judah, saw God as anthropomorphic with human characteristics. He made promises and covenants with his chosen people.
The source associated with the early northern kingdom, Israel, saw God as more a transcendent being, who required obedience and was feared by his people. According to this source, people could never look at God, so he typically came in dreams or visions, but sometimes in the form of a cloud or a flame.

The Priestly source associated with later times described a remote and unmerciful God.

Second Isaiah, during the Babylonian exile, saw God as forgiving and merciful.

Christian sources generally saw God as forgiving.