A perfect G-d doesn’t need honor — reverence is framed here as entirely for our own benefit.
Q. What is the relationship between Mercy and Reverence for G-d?
Our monotheistic G-d is, by definition, perfect and doesn’t lack anything. Accordingly, the obligatory reverence (Dvarim 10, 20) is for our benefit, not for His “needs”. We are clearly not talking about some egoistical honor-craver, but a loving and merciful perfect G-d, who knows that through awe, we will admire and want to emulate His ways, to be that much more “merciful (!) gracious, tolerant […]”). In addition, the best way we can slightly understand G-d’s traits is through the allegory of the father and child. A good father may sometimes warn his child from doing wrong, and occasionally threaten to punish, in order to deter and convince the child to act nicely (even though he clearly, mercifully, would prefer not to carry out the threat). That’s reverence. That being said, that same Father is good and merciful, and accordingly will be patient, tolerantly giving another chance (e.g. He sent many prophets over several centuries (!) to warn us before sending us to exile); sometimes lessening the punishment from the original threat; willing to forgive as soon as there is a sincere resolve to improve; and eventually, if need be, redeem Israel, out of love and mercy, even if we don’t repent or deserve it (e.g. Yechezkel 36). Any parent will attest that it is neither beneficial nor merciful towards your children to give them everything they want, or never to discipline. For we children, who have and want free will, lack self-discipline, and need “Parental” guidelines.
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