Psalms 76:10

KJV

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

KJV (with Strong's)

Surely the wrath {H2534} of man {H120} shall praise {H3034}{H8686)} thee: the remainder {H7611} of wrath {H2534} shalt thou restrain {H2296}{H8799)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Human wrath serves only to praise you; what remains of this wrath you wear as an ornament.

Berean Standard Bible

Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.

American Standard Version

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: The residue of wrath shalt thou gird upon thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 76:10 powerfully declares God's absolute and unyielding sovereignty over all human endeavors, particularly over the destructive force of human wrath. It asserts that even the most intense and malicious human fury will ultimately be compelled to serve God's purposes and redound to His praise. Furthermore, the verse offers profound comfort by assuring believers that God actively sets precise limits on the destructive potential of human evil, preventing it from raging unchecked and ensuring His ultimate plans prevail. This passage profoundly underscores God's supreme control, His ability to orchestrate all events for His glory, and His providential restraint over the forces of wickedness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 76 is a majestic hymn of praise and triumph, often classified as a "Song of God's Victory." It functions as a communal song, likely sung during a festival in Jerusalem, commemorating a decisive and miraculous divine victory over invading enemies. The psalm opens by declaring God's profound presence and renown in Judah (verses 1-3), then transitions to a vivid and awe-inspiring portrayal of His destructive power against the wicked and their instruments of war (verses 4-6). Verse 10 is strategically placed within this narrative of divine triumph, specifically focusing on God's supreme authority over human opposition and malice. It reinforces the central theme that no earthly power, no matter how formidable or wrathful, can stand against God or thwart His sovereign purposes. It serves as a theological anchor within the psalm's broader celebration of God as the just Judge, the mighty Warrior, and the protector of His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the psalm does not explicitly name the specific historical event, a strong scholarly consensus connects Psalm 76 to God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian invasion under King Sennacherib in 701 BC. This event is vividly recounted in [2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Sennacherib's Defeat") and [Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Hezekiah's Prayer and Deliverance"). During this period, Sennacherib's vast and seemingly invincible army besieged Jerusalem, threatening to annihilate Judah. In a dramatic and unprecedented display of divine intervention, the Angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night, forcing Sennacherib's humiliating retreat. This historical event profoundly shaped Israel's understanding of God's protective power over His holy city and His covenant people. The cultural context included the pervasive fear of powerful imperial forces, the deep reliance on divine protection in times of existential threat, and the understanding of Yahweh as a fearsome, covenant-keeping warrior who defends His chosen people against overwhelming odds. Verse 10 speaks directly to this context, affirming that even the most formidable human wrath, like that of Sennacherib, is ultimately subject to God's will and can even be used to bring Him glory.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 76:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing God's absolute control over all creation, including human actions, intentions, and even their most malevolent emotions. Even the fiercest human wrath cannot operate outside of God's ultimate purview. Secondly, it underscores **God's Justice and Judgment**, portraying Him as the one who humbles the proud and protects the oppressed. The defeat of the wicked, even when they act in wrath, serves to reveal God's perfect righteousness and His unwavering commitment to justice. Thirdly, the verse speaks to **God's Ability to Extract Praise from Opposition**. It presents the profound theological truth that God can supernaturally turn what is intended for harm into an instrument of His glory, demonstrating His infinite power, wisdom, and unchallengeable authority. This concept resonates with other biblical accounts, such as God's use of Pharaoh's hardened heart to display His power throughout [the book of Exodus](/exodus "The Book of Exodus"), or Joseph's declaration in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Forgiveness and God's Plan") that what his brothers intended for evil, God intended for good. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Divine Restraint of Evil**, assuring believers that God does not permit wickedness to rage unchecked but actively sets limits on its destructive capacity, providing comfort and security.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _ḥēmâ_):** This term (H2534) denotes intense, hot anger, fury, or rage. It frequently carries connotations of destructive passion, violent indignation, and a burning desire for harm. In the context of "the wrath of man," it refers to human hostility, malice, and opposition directed against God or His people. It signifies the full, unbridled force of human rebellion and animosity, often with destructive intent.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yādâ_):** The verb (H3034) literally means "to use (i.e. hold out) the hand," but in its Hiphil stem (as used here), it signifies "to confess," "to give thanks," "to laud," or "to acknowledge." It implies an act of public declaration, adoration, or acknowledgment that brings honor and glory. The remarkable claim in the psalm is that even human wrath, despite its evil intent, will ultimately be compelled to acknowledge and magnify God's power, righteousness, and sovereign control, thereby bringing Him praise.
* **Restrain (Hebrew, _ḥāgar_):** This verb (H2296) literally means "to gird on," "to bind on," or "to put on a belt." When applied to "the remainder of wrath," it conveys the powerful image of God actively putting a leash, a belt, or a boundary on human fury, preventing it from exceeding His sovereign purposes. It implies not merely passive permission, but active, intentional control and limitation, like one who girds himself for battle or puts a belt on to secure something.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee:"** This initial clause presents a profound theological paradox. It asserts that even the most intense and destructive human anger, rebellion, or opposition will ultimately redound to God's glory. This can occur in several ways: by God's powerful overcoming of human wrath, thus demonstrating His supremacy; by His just judgment upon it, thereby revealing His righteousness; or by His sovereign use of it, even against its own intent, to advance His purposes or reveal His character to a greater degree. The very attempts to defy God paradoxically serve to magnify His power, wisdom, and unchallengeable authority, compelling an unwilling acknowledgment of His sovereignty.
* **"the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."** This second clause provides a crucial complement and offers immense comfort. While some wrath may be permitted to run its course to achieve God's purposes (and thereby praise Him), there is a clear and comforting assurance that God actively limits and controls the rest. He does not allow human evil to rage unchecked or to utterly destroy. This divine restraint provides a powerful source of hope and security for believers, affirming that God is not passive in the face of wickedness but actively intervenes to set boundaries on its destructive potential, ensuring it does not exceed His sovereign will or thwart His ultimate redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. Most prominently, there is **Paradox**, where the seemingly contradictory idea that "the wrath of man shall praise thee" is presented as a profound and undeniable truth. This highlights God's unique ability to transcend and transform human evil for His own glory. A strong sense of **Divine Sovereignty** is conveyed through the declarative statements, emphasizing God's ultimate and unchallenged control over all things, even the most chaotic and destructive human emotions. The phrase "the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain" utilizes vivid **Anthropomorphism** by picturing God actively "girding" or "binding" wrath, giving a tangible image to His powerful and deliberate limitation of evil. Furthermore, the two clauses exhibit a form of **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first, both reinforcing the central theme of God's absolute control over human wrath, first by transforming it into praise, then by actively limiting its destructive force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 76:10 is a powerful affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty, a theme woven throughout the entire biblical narrative from creation to consummation. It teaches that God is not merely reactive to human events or a passive observer of chaos, but is the ultimate orchestrator, capable of integrating even the most malevolent human intentions and actions into His divine, overarching plan. This profound truth provides immense comfort and security to believers, assuring us that no human opposition, no matter how fierce, destructive, or seemingly overwhelming, can ultimately thwart God's purposes or derail His kingdom. Instead, God is able to turn the very efforts of His enemies into occasions for His own glory, demonstrating His infinite power, perfect justice, and unparalleled wisdom. This verse powerfully underscores the biblical teaching that God's reign is supreme, His will ultimately prevails, and His providential hand is at work even through the crucible of human sin and rebellion.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Words to His Brothers: God's Good Purpose")
* [Proverbs 16:4](/proverbs/16-4 "Proverbs 16:4 - The Lord Has Made Everything for Its Purpose")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marked by escalating conflict, pervasive injustice, and seemingly unchecked human malice, Psalms 76:10 offers a profound and unwavering anchor for the soul. It calls us to lift our gaze beyond the immediate chaos, the headlines of human depravity, and our personal struggles, to remember that God remains sovereign over all. This truth should cultivate within us a deep sense of peace, unwavering trust, and resilient hope, knowing that even when human wrath flares with destructive intent, God is firmly on His throne, actively working His purposes. It encourages us to pray for those who act in malice, not out of fear or despair, but with a confident expectation that God can either restrain their destructive power or even use their actions, against their will, to bring about His glory. For the believer facing persecution, opposition, or the weight of systemic evil, this verse is a potent reminder that evil has divinely appointed limits, and God will not allow His people to be utterly consumed. It challenges us to view difficult circumstances through the lens of God's ultimate control and redemptive plan, fostering a worshipful heart that acknowledges Him as the one who triumphs over all, turning even the bitterest human opposition into a magnificent testament to His power, wisdom, and unwavering faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's sovereignty over human wrath impact your perspective on current world events or personal challenges you might be facing, particularly those involving injustice or hostility?**
* **Can you identify specific instances in your own life, or in broader history, where God seemed to use difficult or even malicious situations to bring about good, reveal His character, or advance His kingdom?**
* **How does knowing that God actively "restrains" evil provide comfort and encourage deeper trust in His ultimate control, especially when you feel overwhelmed by the pervasive presence of wickedness in the world?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that God causes human wrath or evil?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God causes human wrath or evil. The Bible clearly teaches that God is holy and righteous, and He does not tempt anyone to do evil ([James 1:13](/james/1-13 "James 1:13 - God does not tempt with evil")). Instead, Psalms 76:10 speaks to God's absolute sovereignty *over* human wrath. It means that while human beings are fully responsible for their sinful anger and malicious actions, God is so powerful and sovereign that He can either permit a certain amount of wrath to run its course to accomplish His purposes (and thereby bring Him praise), or He can actively restrain and limit its destructive potential. He does not instigate evil, but He remains in ultimate control of it, ensuring that it cannot thwart His ultimate plans and will ultimately redound to His glory and the good of those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")).

**How can "the wrath of man" possibly "praise" God?**

Answer: The wrath of man can praise God in several profound ways, demonstrating His supreme power and wisdom. Firstly, it does so by demonstrating God's superior power and justice when He decisively overcomes and judges it. For example, the arrogant wrath of Pharaoh against Israel ultimately led to God's mighty acts of deliverance and judgment, which brought Him immense glory and made His name known throughout the earth ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God raises Pharaoh for His glory")). Secondly, God can sovereignly use human wrath, even against its original intent, as an instrument to achieve His greater purposes. This doesn't mean He approves of the wrath itself, but that He is capable of weaving even evil into His tapestry of redemption and divine governance. The destructive acts of wicked nations, for instance, were sometimes used by God to discipline His own people or to bring about His judgments on other nations, thereby revealing His righteousness and control over history. In these instances, the futility of human rebellion against God's will ultimately serves to magnify His wisdom, power, and unchallengeable authority, compelling even an unwilling acknowledgment of His greatness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 76:10 finds its most profound and redemptive fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, particularly in His crucifixion and glorious resurrection. The cross represents the culmination of human wrath—the malice of the religious leaders, the political expediency of Rome, the fickle anger of the crowd, and the very power of sin and death—all converging to put the Son of God to death. Yet, this ultimate act of human evil, driven by intense wrath, paradoxically became the greatest demonstration of God's glory and the very means of humanity's salvation. As Peter declares on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan in the Crucifixion")). The wrath of man put Jesus on the cross, but it was God's sovereign plan that allowed it, and in doing so, turned it into the ultimate act of praise for His boundless love, perfect justice, and infinite mercy. Furthermore, the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God's restraint of wrath. Death, the final consequence of sin and human rebellion, could not hold Him. God "restrained" the power of death and the grave, raising Jesus to life and thereby disarming the wrath of sin and Satan ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Through Christ, God has definitively shown that even the most intense human and demonic wrath will ultimately serve His purposes, leading to the praise of His name and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, where all remaining wrath will be justly judged and forever restrained ([Revelation 19](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19 - The Rider on the White Horse and the Beast's Defeat")). Indeed, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), is the ultimate proof that God turns the wrath of man into His praise.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 4:26

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

Acts 4:28

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Matthew 24:22

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Daniel 3:19

¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

Daniel 3:20

And he commanded the most mighty men that [were] in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [and] to cast [them] into the burning fiery furnace.

Romans 9:17

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Matthew 2:13

¶ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.