The Glorious Wrath of God | Christopher Ellis Osterbrock

by CBTS Student | Jun 15, 2026 | Old Testament, Systematic Theology

As an example of poetic biblical meditation, I have chosen three separate expositions and poetic expressions to share. Our congregation has sang each of these poems at one point or another in the last four years (corporately or in small groups). No surprise, some are better read than sung. However, for the sake of emphasizing the usefulness and importance of artistic expression through Reformed, Biblical, Experiential Spirituality, let us share a devotion from Scripture and then consider the English poetic expression.

The Glory of God’s Wrath

Few pastors preach through Nahum; it only takes the first chapter to understand why. When we come to read Nahum 1:1–8, relating to God’s wrath, we have two worthy ways of rendering the text. First, we look to the joy of our salvation. Second, we trust God’s judgment and turn to repent and grow sorrowful over the evils and wickedness that demand justice and reprisal. Yet Nahum teaches more than flat, cold judgment. Nahum teaches that the Lord’s wrath is good. Nahum calls God’s people to worship when the wrath arrives.

Nahum 1:7

Nahum receives a “burden” from the Lord (Nahum 1:1). Three times Nahum refers to God as the avenger who will come to deliver what is spelled out in the burden. Yet this is not a letter about Israel, but rather about the glory of God. The Almighty desires for His name to be honored and revered. Nineveh has traduced the Lord. Even as the wrath due is expounded, God has control and discernment in His anger concerning them, such that He will send the most chaotic of instruments to judge and purify the land. In His wrath, the sea is dried up, the clouds are stirred as in a storm, the mountains tremble and melt, and the flowers wither before Him. The earth and all its flora and fauna flee but cannot escape witnessing the judgments here outpoured. There is no acquittal—righteousness must be found in purity. Yet, God alone is righteousness; He is good, a stronghold on this great day of judgment and vengeance for His holy name. Those unrighteous will suffer the darkness of wrath. But who is kept in the stronghold of God (Nahum 1:7)?

No one can stand before God’s indignation. Only the pure righteousness of the divine nature can control such might and power. When the Lord speaks of being “slow to anger,” He is here articulating the control and operation of His power—He is not led my passions as we are. God executes His sovereign purposes with exactness, precision, and perfection. But who has need of a stronghold? Who will receive the blessedness of His goodness as He exacts His judgment in accordance with righteousness?

Nahum abruptly speaks the evangelical call to faith and repentance that will take further shape in the following verses (Nahum 1:7, 15). Those who trust in Him are kept, held fast, preserved. Jesus Christ—the object of faith through all of Scripture—He alone preserves through the divine act of receiving the wrath and vengeance herein described. God’s covenant people experience the exclusivity of redemption, miraculous acquittal, and the enormity of mercy’s inheritance. Do you experience this preservation today? For those in Christ, the trials and troubles you face may appear heavy, but they are nothing compared to the actual wrath of God that consumes utterly and eternally. Your Savior covered you and preserved you from such wrath—what you face may be challenging, but more than preservation, Jesus is shepherding you and purposing your trials through His shield of goodness.

We celebrate His glorious name in its preservation and demonstration. This does not mean we grow cold or that we wickedly celebrate destruction for destruction’s sake—we celebrate for our Savior.

Praise Him, All-conquering Savior

Whose faithful fortress does defend

His wrath consumes all the wicked

Their reign a tumult swift to end

All evil shall He crush; believe!