Psalm 76 7

Psalm 76:7 kjv

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

Psalm 76:7 nkjv

You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are angry?

Psalm 76:7 niv

It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?

Psalm 76:7 esv

But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?

Psalm 76:7 nlt

No wonder you are greatly feared!
Who can stand before you when your anger explodes?

Psalm 76 verses

Psalm 76 7 Meaning

Psalm 76:7 declares God's unparalleled and awe-inspiring nature, emphasizing that He alone is to be revered with dread, and none can endure or stand in His presence when His righteous indignation is kindled. This verse highlights His ultimate power, sovereign judgment, and the fearful consequences for those who oppose His will.

Psalm 76 7 Context

Psalm 76 is a psalm of triumph and thanksgiving, celebrating God's decisive victory over enemies who attacked Jerusalem (specifically "Salem," verse 2). It attributes Israel's deliverance not to human might, but solely to God's powerful intervention and justice. The historical context is often linked to the miraculous defeat of the Assyrian army under Sennacherib (2 Kgs 19, Isa 37), where God intervened by sending an angel to destroy the army overnight. This event served as a powerful demonstration that God alone is supreme and the defender of His people. Verse 7, "You, even You, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry?", reinforces the central theme: God's awesome power and wrath, displayed against the pride and arrogance of the world powers, reveal His absolute sovereignty and justice, making Him a terror to His foes and a protector to His chosen. The polemic is evident: it directly challenges the power and legitimacy of other gods and human rulers, asserting Yahweh's unparalleled might.

Psalm 76 7 Word analysis

• You, even You (אַתָּה, אַתָּה - attah, attah): This emphatic repetition of the second person singular pronoun ("You, You") underscores God's singular identity, uniqueness, and the exclusivity of His terrifying nature. It highlights that no one else holds this position of ultimate, fear-inspiring authority. It is a divine self-assertion, declaring Him alone worthy of this type of reverence.
• are to be feared (נוֹרָא - nora'): Derived from the root יָרֵא (yare), meaning "to fear" or "to be in awe." Nora' specifically denotes that which is awe-inspiring, terrible, dread-inducing, and majestic. It’s a holy fear, acknowledging God's absolute power, holiness, and capacity for righteous judgment. It signifies profound reverence mingled with an apprehension of His omnipotence and righteous indignation. It speaks to God's inherent majesty, not merely His actions.
• And who may stand (וּמִי יַעֲמֹד - u'mi ya'amod): This is a rhetorical question that powerfully implies "no one" can. "Stand" (ya'amod) can signify several things: to resist, to endure, to oppose, to remain in existence, or even simply to be present. In this context, it speaks to the utter inability of anyone, particularly enemies or the unrighteous, to endure or successfully defy God when His wrath is unleashed. It conveys their inevitable defeat and dissolution.
• in Your presence (לְפָנֶיךָ - l'faneykha): Literally "before Your face." It denotes being directly exposed to God's immediate presence, His power, His glory, or His judgment. There is no hiding place from His scrutiny or His manifested power.
• when once You are angry? (מֵאָז אַפֶּךָ - me'az 'appecha):
  • מֵאָז (me'az): Meaning "since," "from then on," or "when once." It indicates the specific moment or initiation of God's anger. It suggests a decisive, activated wrath.
  • אַפֶּךָ ('appecha): Derived from אַף ('aph), which literally means "nose" or "nostril," but idiomatically signifies anger or wrath, as flared nostrils often accompany strong emotion. God's anger is depicted as a potent, active force, irresistible and devastating when it burns. This is righteous anger against rebellion and injustice, not capricious rage.

Words-group analysis:

• "You, even You, are to be feared": This opening phrase unequivocally attributes unique and fearful majesty solely to God. It separates Him from all other entities, whether human powers or false deities, establishing His peerless authority and deserving of ultimate reverence.
• "And who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry?": This powerful rhetorical question underscores God's irresistible might in judgment. It signifies the utter helplessness and certain doom of His adversaries. The implication is that only by His grace, and not by human strength or righteousness, can one endure His scrutiny. This sets a boundary: outside His favor, there is only destruction in the face of His anger.

Psalm 76 7 Bonus section

The "fear of the LORD" (yirah YHWH) found elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Prov 1:7) is often spoken of as the beginning of wisdom, a respectful reverence leading to obedience and blessing. While distinct from the "terror" ('appecha - wrath) against enemies, the fearful dread in Psalm 76:7 is the ultimate manifestation of God's holy power, which underlies the wise and reverential "fear of the Lord." This verse illustrates the source of that respectful awe: God's unquestionable ability to bring devastating judgment upon those who oppose Him. Thus, understanding this verse provides a deeper dimension to the concept of godly fear, not just as abstract reverence but as a response to truly grasp the consequences of defying the Creator of all.

Psalm 76 7 Commentary

Psalm 76:7 serves as a stern declaration of God's fearful sovereignty and His swift, consuming judgment against the unrighteous. It underscores that God's nora' quality – His awe-inspiring dread – is inherently tied to His holiness and justice, particularly evident when He displays His righteous anger. This anger is not impulsive but a settled attribute against rebellion and wickedness. The rhetorical question, "Who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry?", leaves no room for human self-sufficiency or defiance. It signifies that all human power, military might, and sinful pride crumble utterly before Him. For those outside of covenant with Him, God's holiness means certain destruction; for His people, it is a comfort, knowing that the very power that judges their enemies is their protector.