The repetition of "you, you" isn't just emphasis; it's setting God apart, declaring that He alone is the one truly to be feared, especially when His righteous anger is stirred. This isn't just about power, but about a holy justice that demands a response, a justice from which no one can hide once it's fully unleashed.
But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a powerful song of remembrance and awe, celebrating a specific moment when God intervened dramatically to defend His people. The psalmist is recounting a past act of divine judgment, likely the miraculous destruction of an invading army (possibly Sennacherib's Assyrians), which preserved Jerusalem. The verses immediately before this one describe God's majestic, overwhelming power as He rose up to judge, leaving enemies utterly defeated and disarmed.
The verse starts with a powerful emphasis: 'But you, you are to be feared!' What does this unique 'fear' truly mean, and why is God's alone supreme?
The repetition of 'you' in the original language emphasizes that God's fearfulness is absolute and distinct from anything else. It's not just about being scary; it's about an awe-inspiring power and holiness that commands ultimate reverence.
A Fear Unlike Any Other
The question 'Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?' isn't a challenge, but a rhetorical statement about ultimate futility. What does this tell us about confronting divine wrath?
When God's anger is ignited, it signifies a moment of decisive judgment. It's not a temper tantrum, but a holy and righteous response to sin and rebellion.
Ask a follow-up
The Moment of Judgment
Understand the original words
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A profound sense of awe, reverence, and trembling before the majesty, power, and holiness of God. It is the appropriate response of a creature recognizing the Creator’s supreme authority.
aph · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting God's intense, righteous reaction against sin, rebellion, and injustice. It is not an irrational outburst but a settled, holy opposition to everything contrary to His nature.
din · Hebrew Noun
The judicial act of God, whereby He discerns between right and wrong and declares a verdict. It involves both the condemnation of the wicked and the vindication of the righteous.
anav · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who are oppressed, lowly, or afflicted, who recognize their complete dependence on God. They are the objects of God's favor and protection because they trust in Him rather than themselves.
This psalm likely commemorates the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem in 701 BC. The verse emphasizes that God's power and wrath are so absolute that no earthly force can withstand Him when He chooses to act.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria campaigns in the region, capturing many fortified cities in Judah. He lays siege to Jerusalem, threatening the capital.
c. 701 BC
Destruction of Assyrian Army
The Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem is miraculously struck down overnight by an unseen force, leading to Sennacherib's hasty retreat. This event is attributed to direct divine intervention.
Late 8th Century BC
Composition of Psalm 76
In the aftermath of the Assyrian crisis, this psalm is composed, likely by Asaph or one of his descendants, to commemorate God's deliverance and inspire awe in His power.
c. 605 BC - 539 BC
Babylonian Exile
Though later than the Assyrian event, the memory of God's past interventions, like the destruction of Sennacherib's army, would have provided a crucial reminder of hope and divine power during periods of exile and oppression.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 76:7, asking 'Who can stand before his indignation?' highlighting the awesome power and destructive potential of God's anger.
Job 9:4Similar to Psalm 76:7, this verse questions who could stand before a righteous and powerful God, emphasizing His unchallengeable might and the futility of human resistance against Him.
Revelation 6:16-17This passage describes people hiding in fear from God's wrath during the final judgment, illustrating the terrifying reality of facing God's anger that is also conveyed in Psalm 76:7.
Romans 1:18This verse speaks of the wrath of God being revealed from heaven against ungodliness, connecting the divine anger mentioned in Psalm 76:7 to a present spiritual reality that impacts humanity.
Psalm 2:12This verse offers a contrasting perspective, urging rulers to 'kiss the Son, lest he be angry,' directly linking the fear of God's anger to the wisdom of submission and obedience, as implied by the rhetorical question in Psalm 76:7.
clarkePsalms 76:7: "Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?"
Thou, even thou, art to be feared - The Hebrew is simple, but very emphatic: אתה נורא אתה attah nora attah, "Thou art terrible; thou art." The repetition of the pronoun deepens the sense. When once thou art angry? - Literally, From the time thou art angry. In the moment thy wrath is kindled, in that moment judgment is executed. How awful is this consideration! If one hundred and eighty-fi…
expositorsPsalms 76:1-12: "To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel."
Psalm 76:1-12 IN contents and tone this psalm is connected with Psalm 46:1-11 ; Psalm 48:1-14 . No known event corresponds so closely with its allusions as the destruction of Sennacherib’s army, to which the LXX in its superscription refers it. The singer is absorbed in the one tremendous judgment which had delivered the dwelling place of Jehovah. His song has but o…
The repetition of "you, you" isn't just emphasis; it's setting God apart, declaring that He alone is the one truly to be feared, especially when His righteous anger is stirred. This isn't just about power, but about a holy justice that demands a response, a justice from which no one can hide once it's fully unleashed.
This psalm is a powerful song of remembrance and awe, celebrating a specific moment when God intervened dramatically to defend His people. The psalmist is recounting a past act of divine judgment, likely the miraculous destruction of an invading army (possibly Sennacherib's Assyrians), which preserved Jerusalem. The verses immediately before this one describe God's majestic, overwhelming power as He rose up to judge, leaving enemies utterly defeated and disarmed.
This psalm is a powerful song of remembrance and awe, celebrating a specific moment when God intervened dramatically to defend His people. The psalmist is recounting a past act of divine judgment, likely the miraculous destruction of an invading army (possibly Sennacherib's Assyrians), which preserved Jerusalem. The verses immediately before this one describe God's majestic, overwhelming power as He rose up to judge, leaving enemies utterly defeated and disarmed.
"But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save al…" — The repetition of "you, you" isn't just emphasis; it's setting God apart, declaring that He alone is the one truly to be feared, especially when His righteous anger is stirred. This isn't just abou…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
