Psalms 68:35 Meaning and Explanation
“O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God is awesome from his holy places; he gives strength to his people, and he is blessed.
The Context of Psalms 68:35
Concluding affirmation of God's holiness, power, and commitment to his people.
What Does Psalms 68:35 Mean?
The psalm concludes with a final affirmation of God's character: 'terrible out of thy holy places' captures divine holiness and the awe appropriate before God's presence. 'Terrible' conveys not cruelty but the overwhelming, fearsome reality of encountering the holy. From this sanctity, God gives strength and power to his people—not generic blessing but specific empowerment for covenant living.
The final 'Blessed be God' is both a benediction and a return to the psalm's opening movement of praise. The entire narrative arc—from petition to recollection to celebration—culminates in blessing and affirmation that this terrible, holy God is Israel's God, committed to strengthening and sustaining his people.
Psalms 68:35 in the Original Language
נוֹרָא (nôrāʾ), 'terrible'—from a root meaning to fear or dread, describing not cruelty but the awesome, overwhelming nature of God's holiness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 68:35
What does Psalms 68:35 mean?
God is awesome from his holy places; he gives strength to his people, and he is blessed.
What is the context of Psalms 68:35?
Concluding affirmation of God's holiness, power, and commitment to his people.