Psalms 88:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's fierce wrath flows over the psalmist and his terrors have severed him from all connection.
The Context of Psalms 88:16
The overwhelming, all-encompassing character of God's wrath and its cutting-off power.
What Does Psalms 88:16 Mean?
The wrath is 'fierce' (burning, intense) and 'goeth over me' like a flood or wave, total and inescapable. This is not gentle correction but intense, overwhelming divine anger. The terrors—not just fear but the actual manifestations of God's wrath—cut the psalmist off from connection, relationship, and hope.
Being 'cut off' by God's terrors is complete severance: from life, from community, from God's protection. The verse returns to the overwhelming power of God's wrath to destroy, not to build up. The psalmist is left with the experience of raw divine anger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 88:16
What does Psalms 88:16 mean?
God's fierce wrath flows over the psalmist and his terrors have severed him from all connection.
What is the context of Psalms 88:16?
The overwhelming, all-encompassing character of God's wrath and its cutting-off power.