What Does Psalm 47:2 Mean in the King James?

For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Hebrew behind “terrible” comes from the same root as awe: the King’s greatness is something the whole earth stands in awe of.

THE MEANING

The LORD is higher than every power, and the whole earth lies within his kingship. His greatness fills the world with awe; no border or earthly throne contains him.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that the LORD belongs to one place or can be measured by any earthly throne.

THE ROOT

נוֹרָא

nora

GROWS FROM

ירא

y-r-ʾ

To fear, revere, or stand in awe.

The word translated “terrible” is ⁨נוֹרָא⁩ (nora), an awe-inspiring form of ⁨ירא⁩ (yare), “to fear or stand in awe.” The verse describes the LORD’s greatness as a presence that awakens awe across the whole earth.

ALSO GROWS

yare: To fear, revere, or stand in awe.

יָרֵא

This verb shares the seed of ⁨נוֹרָא⁩, showing that the LORD’s “terribleness” and the awe he evokes belong to one word-family.

yirah: Fear or awe.

יִרְאָה

This noun names the response carried by the root: the King’s rule reaches beyond what the mind can hold and evokes awe.

nora: Awe-inspiring, fearsome.

נוֹרָא

This is the form used here: the LORD himself is described as the one who evokes awe.

THE PATTERN

The LORD’s rule exceeds every rival and summons awe across peoples and creation.

The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Psalm 99:1 · KJVThe LORD’s reign makes the earth tremble, echoing the awe stirred by his kingship over all the earth.

For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Deuteronomy 10:17 · KJVThe LORD is named great and terrible above every rival power, just as Psalm 47 places him over all the earth.

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Revelation 15:4 · KJVAwe before the Lord reaches all nations, carrying the verse’s universal kingship into a vision of the whole world.

THE THREAD

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11 · KJV

“Fearful” here is ⁨נוֹרָא⁩ (nora), from the same root ⁨ירא⁩ (y-r-ʾ) as “terrible” in Psalm 47:2. Both verses use that root to reveal the LORD as one whose unmatched nature awakens awe.

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