Bible Strands
Psalms 89:7
In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the heavenly court and the gathered assembly, contrasting Yahweh’s unmatched sovereignty with all created beings. This declaration functions within a covenant psalm that establishes God’s supreme rule alongside His faithfulness.
The words — נַ֭עֲרָץ (Na.'a.rotz) translates literally as "[is] awesome," and וְ֝/נוֹרָ֗א (ve./no.Ra') means "and/ to be feared." These terms describe the overwhelming reverence due to God within the divine assembly.
The thread — This theme of divine awe appears in Psalms 47:2, which calls the Most High "awesome," and Psalms 76:7, which states He alone is to be feared. Hebrews 12:28 later applies this reverence to worship within the unshakable kingdom.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of God's supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly powers. It requires the reader to respond with unshakable gratitude and acceptable worship.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Psalms 47:2 How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!
- Psalms 76:7 You alone are to be feared. When You are angry, who can stand before You?
- Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
- Jeremiah 10:7 Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.
- Isaiah 6:2 Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
- Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.
- Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Luke 12:4 I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Acts 5:11 And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.
- Revelation 15:3 and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!