What does Psalms 90:11 mean?
"Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath." - Psalms 90:11
The verse Psalms 90:11 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath."
This verse comes from the book of Psalms, which is a collection of poems and songs attributed to King David and others, expressing a wide range of emotions and experiences. Psalm 90, in particular, is attributed to Moses, and it is a reflective and contemplative Psalm that focuses on the eternal nature of God and the brevity of human life.
In the context of the entire Psalm, the author reflects on the frailty and transience of human life, contrasting it with the everlasting nature of God. The Psalmist acknowledges the wrath and anger of God, and in verse 11, he questions who can truly comprehend the power of God's anger. This verse serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring and incomprehensible nature of God's wrath.
The theme of divine wrath and fear of God's anger is a recurring motif in the Bible, and it serves as a reminder of the holiness and righteousness of God. Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous accounts of God's wrath being poured out on those who rebel against Him or disobey His commands. This verse emphasizes the fear and reverence that we should have for God, acknowledging the power and sovereignty that He holds over all creation.
The language used in this verse also carries symbolic significance. The power of God's anger is described as something that is unknowable and incomprehensible to humanity. This serves as a reminder of the limitations of human understanding when it comes to the divine. It emphasizes the need for humility and reverence in approaching God, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).
The juxtaposition of fear and wrath in this verse also underscores the idea that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 9:10. This fear is not meant to drive us away from God, but rather to draw us closer to Him in awe and reverence. It is a healthy and respectful fear that acknowledges God's holiness and righteousness.
In the Christian tradition, the concept of God's wrath is often understood in the context of His justice and righteousness. It is the necessary response to sin and rebellion, and it stands in contrast to His love and mercy. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:18, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."
Ultimately, the verse Psalms 90:11 serves as a reminder of the awesome and incomprehensible nature of God's anger, and the need for humility, fear, and reverence in our relationship with Him. It points to the holiness and righteousness of God, and the importance of acknowledging His sovereignty and authority over all creation. This verse invites us to reflect on the awe-inspiring nature of God and to approach Him with humility and reverence.
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Psalms 90:11 - "Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath."
"Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath." - Psalms 90:11
"In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth." - Psalms 90:6
Psalms 90:6 - "In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth."
"Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations." - Psalms 90:1
Psalms 90:4 - "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night."
Psalms 90:17 - "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
"Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth." - Psalms 119:90
Psalms 90:13 - "Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants."
Psalms 90:5 - "Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up."
Psalms 90:7 - "For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled."
Psalms 90:1 - "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations."
Psalms 90:3 - "Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men."
"Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men." - Psalms 90:3
Psalms 119:90 - "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth."
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalms 90:12
Psalms 90:16 - "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children."
Psalms 90:15 - "Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil."
Psalms 90:12 - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Psalms 90:14 - "O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."
Psalms 90:9 - "For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told."
Psalms 90:8 - "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance."
"For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled." - Psalms 90:7
"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." - Psalms 90:4
"O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." - Psalms 90:14
Psalms 90:2 - "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."
Psalms 90:10 - "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
"Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up." - Psalms 90:5
"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." - Psalms 90:2
"Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children." - Psalms 90:16