Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that God doesn't just stop man's wrath; He actually uses it. The verse says He "girds Himself" with the "remainder of wrath," suggesting He takes what's left of human fury and puts it on like a warrior dons armor or an ornament, turning it into a display of His own power and justice.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm celebrates a dramatic divine intervention, likely the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem. The preceding verses describe God's awesome power displayed in silencing his enemies and delivering his people. This verse then reflects on how even human aggression, when thwarted by God, ultimately serves to magnify His glory.
Ever notice how sometimes the worst of people, or the most terrible situations, end up somehow serving a greater good? This verse points to that strange paradox.
The psalm declares, 'Surely the wrath of man shall praise you.' This isn't saying that human anger is good, but that God can take the fury and rage of humanity – even when directed against His people – and use it for His own glory. Think of it like this: a sharp, jagged rock might seem useless or even dangerous, but skilled hands can use it to carve a beautiful sculpture. The 'wrath of man' is that raw, often destructive force, but God, in His sovereignty, can shape it. The enemies' furious attempts and blasphemous speeches, instead of diminishing God, actually highlight His wisdom, power, and faithfulness when He intervenes and delivers His people. Their anger becomes a backdrop that makes God's goodness shine even brighter.
What happens when human anger doesn't achieve its destructive aims? This verse has a powerful answer about God's control.
The second part of the verse speaks of 'the remainder of wrath.' This refers to the fury that hasn't yet been unleashed or the malicious plans that are still in the wicked's heart. But God declares, 'you will put on like a belt.' This imagery is striking! A belt is something worn, often as part of a warrior's or ruler's attire, signifying readiness, authority, and control. It's not that God uses the remaining wrath as a weapon directly, but rather that He firmly restrains and controls it. He can choose to let anger go so far, but no further. He girds Himself with it, meaning He keeps it contained and under His absolute command, preventing it from doing more damage than He permits. It’s a powerful picture of divine sovereignty – even the leftover rage of humanity is subject to God's will and is kept in check.
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Understand the original words
chemah · Hebrew Noun
The righteous, intense, and holy indignation of God against sin. Unlike human anger, it is always directed toward justice and the ultimate triumph of God's sovereign purposes.
This verse highlights how even the fiercest opposition and 'wrath of man' ultimately serves God's purposes, either by displaying His power in their defeat or by being restrained before it can achieve its destructive aims. The historical event of Sennacherib's army being miraculously destroyed before Jerusalem demonstrates this powerfully.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. The people of Judah are terrified by the might of the Assyrian army.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Defeat
The angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp overnight, causing the army to retreat in disarray. This miraculous deliverance saves Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Assassination
Following his failed campaign in Judah, Sennacherib returns to Nineveh. He is later assassinated by his own sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, while he is worshipping in the temple of his god Nisroch.
This passage directly parallels the idea that God uses the wrath and plans of wicked nations, like Assyria, not for their intended purpose but to accomplish His own sovereign will and judgment.
Romans 9:17-18This explains how God raised up Pharaoh and his wrath specifically to display His power and mercy, showing how even human sin and rebellion can be instruments in God's hands for His glory.
Exodus 14:1-31This narrative depicts God deliberately leading the Israelites into a seemingly impossible situation with the pursuing Egyptian army, ultimately to showcase His power in delivering them and destroying their enemies.
Acts 4:27-28Here, the apostles directly state that earthly rulers who conspired against Jesus were fulfilling what God's hand and plan had predetermined, highlighting how human malice ultimately serves divine purposes.
poolePsalms 76:10: "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."
The wrath of man shall praise thee; the blasphemous speeches and furious attempts of thine enemies shall serve thy glory, and cause thy people and others to praise and magnify thee for that admirable wisdom, and power, and faithfulness, and goodness which thou shalt discover upon that occasion. The remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain; thou shalt prevent and disappoint the succeeding malicio…
jfbPsalms 76:10: "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."
- Man's wrath praises God by its futility before His power.restrain—or, "gird"; that is, Thyself, as with a sword, with which to destroy, or as an ornament to Thy praise.
What's easy to miss is that God doesn't just stop man's wrath; He actually uses it. The verse says He "girds Himself" with the "remainder of wrath," suggesting He takes what's left of human fury and puts it on like a warrior dons armor or an ornament, turning it into a display of His own power and justice.
This psalm celebrates a dramatic divine intervention, likely the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem. The preceding verses describe God's awesome power displayed in silencing his enemies and delivering his people. This verse then reflects on how even human aggression, when thwarted by God, ultimately serves to magnify His glory.
This psalm celebrates a dramatic divine intervention, likely the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem. The preceding verses describe God's awesome power displayed in silencing his enemies and delivering his people. This verse then reflects on how even human aggression, when thwarted by God, ultimately serves to magnify His glory.
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt." — What's easy to miss is that God doesn't just stop man's wrath; He actually uses it. The verse says He "girds Himself" with the "remainder of wrath," suggesting He takes what's left of human fury…
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Last reviewed October 2026