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.
Original Language Analysis
אֵ֣ל
God
H410
אֵ֣ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
1 of 9
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
נַ֭עֲרָץ
to be feared
H6206
נַ֭עֲרָץ
to be feared
Strong's:
H6206
Word #:
2 of 9
to awe or (intransitive) to dread; hence, to harass
בְּסוֹד
in the assembly
H5475
בְּסוֹד
in the assembly
Strong's:
H5475
Word #:
3 of 9
a session, i.e., company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret
קְדֹשִׁ֣ים
of the saints
H6918
קְדֹשִׁ֣ים
of the saints
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
4 of 9
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
רַבָּ֑ה
is greatly
H7227
רַבָּ֑ה
is greatly
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
5 of 9
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְ֝נוֹרָ֗א
and to be had in reverence
H3372
וְ֝נוֹרָ֗א
and to be had in reverence
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
6 of 9
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Psalms 47:2For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.Acts 5:11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.Jeremiah 10:10But 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.Jeremiah 10:7Who 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.
Historical Context
The 'assembly of the saints' connects to Israel's covenant community gathered for worship at the tabernacle/temple. God's manifest presence (Shekinah glory) made these encounters both inviting and terrifying—the same God who dwelt among His people also consumed Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2) for irreverent approach.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you cultivate both intimacy with God and appropriate fear/reverence in your prayer and worship?
- In what ways might contemporary worship have lost the element of reverent fear? How can it be recovered?
- How does Jesus as our High Priest enable bold approach (Hebrews 4:16) while maintaining God's awesome holiness?
Analysis & Commentary
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints (אֵל נַעֲרָץ בְּסוֹד־קְדֹשִׁים רַבָּה)—Na'aratz (feared, held in awe) describes reverent dread before God's holiness within the sod (council, secret assembly) of qedoshim (holy ones). This may refer to the heavenly court or to Israel's worship assemblies. And to be had in reverence of all them that are about him (וְנוֹרָא עַל־כָּל־סְבִיבָיו)—Nora (awesome, dreadful) extends to all who surround His throne.
True worship balances intimacy with reverence. While God invites us near through covenant love (hesed), His holiness remains terrifying. Isaiah 6:1-5 captures this—seraphim cover themselves in God's presence, crying 'Holy, holy, holy.' Hebrews 12:28-29 commands we serve God 'with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.' The modern church often loses this balance, emphasizing intimacy without the trembling awe due to infinite majesty.