Psalms 76:7

¶ Thou, [even] thou, [art] to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

Thou, even thou, art to be feared {H3372}{H8737)}: and who may stand {H5975}{H8799)} in thy sight {H6440} when {H227} once thou art angry {H639}?

You are fearsome! When once you are angry, who can stand in your presence?

You alone are to be feared. When You are angry, who can stand before You?

Thou, even thou, art to be feared; And who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

Psalm 76:7 is a powerful declaration of God's supreme majesty and irresistible judgment, particularly in the context of His divine intervention on behalf of His people.

Context

Psalm 76 is often referred to as a "Song of Triumph." It likely celebrates a specific, miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from a formidable enemy, possibly the Assyrian army during the time of King Hezekiah, as recounted in Isaiah 37:36 and 2 Kings 19:35. The psalm paints a picture of God dwelling in Zion, establishing His name there, and breaking the weapons of war. Verse 7 specifically highlights God's terrifying power, which strikes fear into the hearts of all who oppose Him, emphasizing that no one can withstand His righteous indignation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Unchallengeable Sovereignty: The opening phrase, "Thou, even thou, art to be feared," underscores God's singular authority and omnipotence. This fear is not merely terror but a profound reverence and awe for His majestic power and holiness. It acknowledges His absolute control over all creation and events.
  • The Irresistibility of Divine Judgment: The rhetorical question, "and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?" emphasizes that no human power, no army, no individual, can withstand the force of God's wrath. His anger is righteous and effective, bringing swift and decisive judgment upon those who defy Him or oppress His chosen ones. This theme resonates with other scriptures detailing God's judgment, such as Nahum 1:6.
  • Security for the Righteous: Implicit in the warning to God's enemies is the assurance of protection for His faithful. While His wrath is terrifying to His adversaries, it serves as a shield for those who trust in Him, as He is a refuge and strength in times of trouble.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "feared" here is yare' (יָרֵא), which conveys a sense of profound reverence, awe, and respect, not just terror. It's the kind of fear that leads to worship and obedience, as seen in the phrase "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). The term for "angry" is 'anaph (אָנַף), indicating a strong, often righteous, indignation or displeasure, particularly against sin and rebellion.

Practical Application

This verse calls believers to cultivate a deep sense of reverence for God, recognizing His supreme power and holiness. It reminds us that while God is love, He is also righteous in His judgment, and His justice will ultimately prevail. For those who are in Christ, this truth offers comfort and security, knowing that the God who judges sin also provides salvation. For those who do not know Him, it serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of resisting the Divine will and the ultimate accountability before a holy God, echoing the warning of the wrath of the Lamb in the New Testament.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Nahum 1:6

    Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

  • Psalms 2:12

    Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.

  • Psalms 89:7

    God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all [them that are] about him.

  • Ezra 9:15

    O LORD God of Israel, thou [art] righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as [it is] this day: behold, we [are] before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

  • Psalms 130:3

    If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

  • Jeremiah 10:7

    Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee.

  • Jeremiah 10:10

    But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

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