John Calvin Commentary Psalms 76:7

John Calvin Commentary

Psalms 76:7

1509–1564
Protestant
John Calvin
John Calvin

John Calvin Commentary

Psalms 76:7

1509–1564
Protestant
SCRIPTURE

"Thou, even thou, art to be feared; And who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?" — Psalms 76:7 (ASV)

Thou, even thou, art terrible. The repetition of the pronoun Thou, is intended to exclude all others from what is here affirmed of God, as if it had been said, Whatever power there is in the world, it immediately vanishes and is reduced to nothing when He comes forth and reveals Himself; and, therefore, He alone is terrible.

This is confirmed by the comparison added immediately after, which suggests that, although the wicked are so filled with pride as to be ready to burst with it, yet they are unable to endure the look and presence of God. But as He sometimes remains silent, and seems merely to look on as an idle spectator, it is clearly stated that as soon as He begins to be angry, ruin will be near all the wicked.

Although they may then for a time not only stand, but also rise above the clouds by their fury, we are here, nevertheless, admonished to wait for the time of wrath. Let us also note that this terror is denounced against the wicked in such a way that it sweetly draws all true believers to God.