Psalms 76:7
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
Original Language Analysis
נ֥וֹרָא
Thou even thou art to be feared
H3372
נ֥וֹרָא
Thou even thou art to be feared
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
2 of 8
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וּמִֽי
H4310
וּמִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
4 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יַעֲמֹ֥ד
and who may stand
H5975
יַעֲמֹ֥ד
and who may stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
5 of 8
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנֶ֗יךָ
in thy sight
H6440
לְפָנֶ֗יךָ
in thy sight
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Nahum 1:6Who 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 2:12Kiss 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 89:7God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Historical Context
The rhetorical question "who may stand?" appears throughout Scripture (Psalm 130:3, Nahum 1:6, Malachi 3:2, Revelation 6:17). No one withstands God's wrath independently. Yet believers "stand" through Christ's righteousness (Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 6:13). Hebrews 12:29 warns: "our God is a consuming fire." Yet Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to approach God's throne confidently through Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does healthy fear of God (reverent awe) differ from servile terror?
- What would it mean for God to be "angry" with you, and how does Christ's atonement address this?
- How does standing in Christ's righteousness enable you to approach the holy God who is "to be feared"?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalm declares: "Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?" (Hebrew atah nora atah u-mi-ya-amod l-faneycha me-az appekha). The doubled "thou, even thou" emphasizes exclusivity—God alone deserves fear. "Who may stand" is rhetorical—none can endure divine anger. "When once thou art angry" warns of God's wrath. The verse inspires holy fear: if God opposes you, no defense exists. This drives believers to faith and unbelievers to flee God's wrath.