THEOSISGregory the Great
He will cause you great distress if you conceal your intentions from Him. Upon His awakening, you will face judgment; His awe will descend upon you. The phrase "you shall take His face secretly" can be interpreted in two ways. Some individuals may inwardly recognize the truth while outwardly proclaiming falsehoods about God. Lacking humility, they understand the truth but still outwardly oppose it. Thus, it rightly follows that He will deal harshly with you for your hidden motives. It implies that you will be even more condemned in His eyes for your deceptions, knowing the truth within you.
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Indeed, there are those who, upon turning their minds inward, reflect on God's justice and righteousness, trembling in prayer and mourning, but after a brief reflection on what transpired, return boldly to their impure actions, behaving as if they are unseen in their unrighteousness. They take His face secretly, for in His presence, they pretend to honor Him with tears, yet when they think themselves unseen, they commit acts against Him. They face greater punishment for their sins, as their hearts acknowledge the righteous judgments of God. Thus, it is stated, When He shall arise, He shall punish you; and His awe shall fall upon you.
We understand that Almighty God is eternally unchangeable and that His judgments remain steadfast and unyielding. Therefore, the expression of the righteous concerning God Who 'shall arise' signifies His administering justice, through which humanity's corruption is condemned. The righteous maintain a reverent fear of God’s impending wrath; they tremble even in moments of peace, fearing that His anger may soon be stirred. In contrast, the wicked might initially be struck with profound terror when they feel the full weight of His wrath upon them, waking them from their state of insensitivity. Hence, the prophet proclaimed that terror shall rise at a single sound. For when the wicked are afflicted as a consequence of disregarding God's commands, they begin to grasp the truths they have heard. As the psalmist noted, When He slew them, they sought Him. Thus, it is aptly said, When He shall arise, He shall punish you; and His awe shall fall upon you; for the hearts of the sons of destruction do not fear Him in His patience, and only through punishment do they come to fear Him.