Psalms 90:11

KJV

Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, [so is] thy wrath.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who knoweth {H3045}{H8802)} the power {H5797} of thine anger {H639}? even according to thy fear {H3374}, so is thy wrath {H5678}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Who grasps the power of your anger and wrath to the degree that the fear due you should inspire?

Berean Standard Bible

Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.

American Standard Version

Who knoweth the power of thine anger, And thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 90:11, embedded within Moses' profound prayer, presents a rhetorical question and a declarative statement that challenges humanity's limited grasp of God's immense power, particularly His righteous anger and wrath against sin. The verse posits that the intensity of divine judgment is directly proportional to the reverence and awe (the "fear") properly due to God, thereby highlighting human ignorance and the dire consequences of failing to acknowledge His absolute holiness and authority. It serves as a sober reminder of the gravity of sin and the unfathomable nature of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 90 stands uniquely as the "Prayer of Moses," the sole psalm explicitly attributed to him, marking it as a foundational theological reflection within the Psalter. The psalm opens by contrasting God's eternal nature and dwelling place (e.g., [Psalms 90:1-2](/psalms/90-1 "Psalms 90:1-2 - God's Eternity")) with the fleeting and fragile existence of humanity, which is likened to grass that flourishes in the morning but withers by evening (e.g., [Psalms 90:3-6](/psalms/90-3 "Psalms 90:3-6 - Human Mortality")). This stark contrast is not merely an observation of natural mortality but is explicitly linked to divine judgment against sin, as human life is cut short by God's anger ([Psalms 90:7-9](/psalms/90-7 "Psalms 90:7-9 - The Effects of God's Anger")). Our focal verse, Psalms 90:11, immediately follows this lament, serving as an explanatory bridge: it articulates *why* human life is so brief and fraught with trouble, attributing it to a divine wrath whose full power remains largely unknown to humanity. The psalm then transitions into a fervent plea for wisdom and mercy, urging God to "teach us to number our days" so that we may gain a heart of wisdom ([Psalms 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalms 90:12 - A Prayer for Wisdom")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Given its attribution to Moses, Psalm 90 is widely understood to reflect the somber experiences of the Israelites during their forty years of wilderness wandering. This period was characterized by divine judgment, where an entire generation was condemned to die outside the Promised Land due to their persistent rebellion and unbelief (e.g., [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - The Wilderness Generation's Judgment")). The psalm vividly captures the weariness, the pervasive presence of death, and the profound sense of divine displeasure experienced by a people living under the direct consequences of their corporate sin. Culturally, the concept of "fear of the Lord" was paramount in ancient Israelite thought and worship. This "fear" was not mere terror but a deep, reverential awe, respect, and humble submission to God's holy character, absolute sovereignty, and moral authority. It was considered the very "beginning of wisdom" ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom")) and was essential for cultivating a right and flourishing relationship with the covenant-keeping God.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 90:11 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **sovereignty and immense power of God**, particularly His capacity for righteous judgment, which is portrayed as an irresistible force. Secondly, it highlights the **brevity and inherent frailty of human life** when juxtaposed with divine holiness and wrath, emphasizing that human mortality is not merely a natural cycle but often a direct consequence of sin and divine displeasure. Thirdly, the theme of **divine wrath against sin** is central, presenting God's anger not as an arbitrary or capricious emotion but as a just, holy, and necessary response to human rebellion and unrighteousness. Finally, the verse introduces the crucial theme of the **"fear of the Lord,"** implicitly suggesting that humanity's inability to fully grasp the extent of God's anger stems from a profound lack of proper reverence and awe for Him. The psalm, through this verse, implicitly calls for a renewed and proper understanding of God's character, urging a shift from human presumption and ignorance to a humble, reverent submission to His will, which is the true path to wisdom and spiritual flourishing (compare [Deuteronomy 10:12-13](/deuteronomy/10-12 "Deuteronomy 10:12-13 - What the Lord Requires")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Power (Hebrew, עֹז _'oz'_):** This term signifies strength, might, or force. In the context of God's anger, it denotes an immense, overwhelming, and irresistible divine force. It points to the active, potent, and devastating attribute of God's righteous character, capable of bringing about profound and inescapable consequences. The rhetorical question "Who knoweth...?" underscores that this power is beyond human comprehension or measurement, highlighting its unfathomable nature.
* **Anger (Hebrew, אַף _'aph'_):** Literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," this word is frequently used idiomatically in Hebrew to express anger, as the nostrils flare during intense rage. Theologically, God's "anger" is not an irrational human passion but a holy, just, and righteous indignation against sin, rebellion, and all forms of unrighteousness. It is a pure manifestation of His perfect holiness, which inherently cannot tolerate evil. The verse implies that humanity largely underestimates or remains ignorant of the full measure of this divine attribute.
* **Fear (Hebrew, יִרְאָה _yir'ah'_):** This is a pivotal term. While it can denote terror or dread, in relation to God, its primary meaning is a profound reverence, awe, and respectful submission. It represents the humble recognition of God's absolute holiness, majesty, and sovereign power, leading to a posture of obedience and worship. The verse establishes a direct correlation: the intensity of God's wrath is proportionate to the degree of reverential fear that is rightfully due to Him. If humanity truly understood and responded with proper _yir'ah_ towards God, they would then begin to grasp the terrifying reality and justness of His wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who knoweth the power of thine anger?":** This is a profound rhetorical question, designed to convey that no human being truly comprehends the full measure or devastating force of God's righteous anger. It serves to highlight humanity's profound ignorance, presumption, and dangerous underestimation of divine judgment. People often treat sin lightly, failing to grasp the infinite offense it poses to a holy God, and consequently, they fail to appreciate the just and powerful consequences that flow from His divine displeasure.
* **"even according to thy fear, [so is] thy wrath.":** This clause establishes a crucial proportional relationship. It asserts that the intensity, severity, and justness of God's wrath are precisely commensurate with the degree of reverence, awe, and holy fear that is rightfully due to Him. In essence, the more one truly understands, honors, and reveres God in His holiness, majesty, and supreme authority, the more one will grasp the terrifying reality and perfect justice of His wrath against all that opposes His divine character. Conversely, humanity's failure to "know" or adequately comprehend God's anger is directly linked to its failure to properly "fear" Him. The "fear" here is not merely terror, but a proper, reverential understanding of God's character and His just and holy response to sin.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 90:11 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The opening phrase, "Who knoweth the power of thine anger?", is a classic example of a **Rhetorical Question**. This device is not posed to elicit an answer but to emphasize the undeniable truth that the depth and intensity of God's wrath are utterly beyond human comprehension. It powerfully underscores human limitation, ignorance, and the vast chasm between human understanding and divine reality. Following this, the verse utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically a form of synthetic or constructive parallelism, where the second line expands upon and completes the thought introduced in the first: "even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath." This parallelism establishes a direct and proportional relationship, implying a divine standard of justice where the severity of judgment perfectly aligns with the degree of disrespect, rebellion, or lack of reverence shown towards God's holy character. Furthermore, an element of **Hyperbole** can be inferred in the rhetorical question, suggesting that God's anger is so immense and terrifying that it is virtually unknowable to finite mortals, thereby emphasizing its overwhelming nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 90:11 serves as a stark and necessary reminder of God's absolute holiness, unyielding justice, and the gravity of sin. It deeply connects with the pervasive biblical teaching that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom")), suggesting that a proper, reverential understanding of God's character—including His capacity for righteous anger—is not merely an academic exercise but foundational to living a truly wise and righteous life. This verse challenges human complacency, presumption, and the tendency to minimize the offense of sin, calling for a profound reverence for God that acknowledges His supreme authority and the dire consequences of offending Him. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not to be trifled with, and His perfect justice will ultimately prevail, bringing judgment upon all unrighteousness.

* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")
* [Hebrews 10:31](/hebrews/10-31 "Hebrews 10:31 - A Terrifying Thing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This profound verse calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our understanding of God and the profound seriousness of sin. In an era that often prioritizes God's love and grace, sometimes to the exclusion or diminishment of His justice and wrath, Psalms 90:11 provides a crucial and sobering corrective. It directly challenges our human tendency to underestimate the eternal consequences of disobedience and to presume upon divine mercy. To truly "know the power of His anger" is to cultivate a deep, reverential fear of God—not a cowering, paralyzing terror, but a holy awe that acknowledges His infinite holiness, absolute power, and unwavering justice. This fear should naturally lead to profound humility, genuine repentance for sin, and a fervent desire to live in accordance with His holy will, recognizing that our very lives are brief, fragile, and ultimately accountable before Him. Understanding the gravity of God's wrath should not lead to despair, but rather motivate us to earnestly seek His mercy and walk in humble obedience, thereby appreciating the immeasurable grace that has been extended to us through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my current understanding of God's anger and wrath influence my view of sin, its consequences, and my need for grace?**
* **In what specific ways might I be inadvertently underestimating the "power of God's anger" in my daily life or in my perception of the world's brokenness?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more proper and profound "fear of the Lord" in light of this verse, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to heartfelt reverence?**
* **How does the biblical emphasis on the brevity of life, as highlighted throughout Psalm 90, make the reality of God's righteous wrath even more urgent and compelling for my spiritual walk?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "fear" is meant in this verse, and how does it relate to God's wrath?**

Answer: The "fear" (Hebrew: _yir'ah_) in [Psalms 90:11](/psalms/90-11 "Psalms 90:11 - The Power of God's Anger") is not merely terror or dread, but a profound, reverential awe, respect, and humble submission to God's holiness, majesty, and supreme power. It is the kind of fear that leads to worship, obedience, and a proper recognition of God's authority. The verse states that God's wrath is "according to thy fear," meaning its intensity and justness are proportionate to the reverence that is properly due to Him. If humanity truly feared God as He deserves, they would then begin to comprehend the terrifying power and righteous nature of His wrath against sin. This implies that our limited understanding of God's anger often stems from our insufficient reverence for Him.

**Does God's wrath contradict His love and mercy, or are they compatible attributes?**

Answer: No, God's wrath does not contradict His love and mercy; rather, it is a necessary and complementary expression of His perfect holiness and justice. Because God is perfectly holy and righteous, He cannot tolerate sin or unrighteousness. His wrath is not a capricious or uncontrolled outburst, but His settled, righteous indignation against all rebellion, evil, and ungodliness ([Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed")). The biblical narrative consistently presents God as both infinitely loving and perfectly just. His mercy is profoundly demonstrated in His willingness to forgive and redeem those who turn to Him, but this mercy is only truly understood and appreciated when viewed against the backdrop of His righteous wrath, which sin justly deserves. The cross of Christ stands as the ultimate demonstration of how God's love and wrath are reconciled, as His wrath against sin was fully poured out on His Son, making a way for mercy and salvation to be extended to humanity ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - God's Love and Wrath")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 90:11, with its stark portrayal of God's incomprehensible anger and wrath against sin, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The rhetorical question, "Who knoweth the power of thine anger?", is answered definitively and tragically at the cross. It was there that the full, unmitigated power of God's righteous wrath against the accumulated sin of humanity was poured out, not upon us, but upon His beloved Son ([Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - The Lord's Will to Crush Him")). Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, willingly became the propitiation for our sins, absorbing the divine judgment that we justly deserved, thereby satisfying God's holy wrath ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ Our Propitiation")). For believers, the "fear" mentioned in the psalm—the reverence and awe due to God—is transformed. We no longer fear God's wrath in the sense of condemnation, for Christ has borne it for us, and there is now "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation")). Instead, our fear becomes a grateful, reverential awe for the God who, in His infinite love, "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all" ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Gave His Son")). The cross uniquely reveals both the terrifying power of God's wrath against sin and the immeasurable depth of His redeeming love, demonstrating that while His anger against unrighteousness is absolute, His provision for salvation is equally absolute and glorious, leading us to "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - Serve God with Reverence")).

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

Isaiah 33:14

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

Leviticus 26:24

Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.

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.

Deuteronomy 29:20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Deuteronomy 29:29

The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this law.

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Leviticus 26:18

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.