Psalms 76:7

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַתָּ֤ה׀
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
נ֥וֹרָא
Thou even thou art to be feared
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#3
אַ֗תָּה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#4
וּמִֽי
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#5
יַעֲמֹ֥ד
and who may stand
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#6
לְפָנֶ֗יךָ
in thy sight
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#7
מֵאָ֥ז
when
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#8
אַפֶּֽךָ׃
once thou art angry
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection