Wellington man Simon Harvey Frank was convinced God instructed him to kill his wife.
The devout follower of Judaism also thought that by killing her they would both rise to heaven, Justice Pherose Jagose said in the High Court at Rotorua today.
Justice Jogose found Frank, 56, not guilty on the grounds of insanity in the murder of Petra Frank, his wife of 32 years, at Taupo on April 15 .
He remanded Frank to Waikato Hospital's Puna Maatai psychiatric unit until November 24.
Frank, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, sobbed throughout Tuesday's hearing, at which he appeared by audio visual link.
Justice Jagose said Frank was diagnosed as a bi-polar sufferer in 1987.
Since then, and despite various medications, his condition had continued to deteriorate to the extent he had delusions which included seeing shapes in the sky, believing a neighbour was running a P house, and his computer was being hacked.
He had fallen out with members of his synagogue and started brooding over the deterioration of his relationship with the Jewish community, had suicidal thoughts and was preoccupied with the idea of becoming the Messiah.
The judge said the couple had gone to Taupo for a break because Mrs Frank felt it would help her husband's mental state. On the way he had visions which included the world ending.
At 8am on April 15 Frank approached his wife as she sat in bed, stabbing her twice with a carving knife, puncturing both her lungs.
A police officer had attempted to staunch the bleeding but Mrs Frank died while being airlifted to hospital.
One psychiatrist noted that after his admission to care, Frank continued to believe he was the Messiah and was motivated by God's instructions to kill his wife.
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