The Book of Psalms

Psalm 75

Psalm LXXV · Vol. II, p. 1036

1 The psalmist praiseth God. 2 He promiseth to judge uprightly. 4 He rebuketh the proud by consideration of God's providence. 9 He promiseth to praise God and execute justice.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

To the chief musician, Al-taschith,¹ A psalm or song of² Asaph.

1 Unto thee,^a O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for ^bthat thy name³ is near thy wondrous works declare.

B.C. cir. 1048.

1 Or, Destroy not, Ps.57.title.

2 Or, for.

a Ps.92.1; ciii.-cv. cvii. cxxxv. cxxxvi.

b Ps.76.1; ix. xviii. Ex.vii.-xx.

3 In this opening verse the church renders united thanks, seeing by faith the speedy coming of Messiah in the name, that is, in all the attributes of Jehovah.—C.

2 When ^cI shall receive the congregation⁴ I will judge uprightly.

c 2 Sa.2.4; 5.3-8,15; 23.3,4. Ps.78.70-72; 101.2-8. Ac.17.31.

4 Or, When I shall take a set time.

3 The^d earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: ^eI bear up the pillars of it. Selah.⁵

d Ps.60.1-3. 1 Sa.31.1-7. 2 Sa.4.1-7.

e Ps.60.4. 2 Sa.v.viii. He.1.3. Is.49.8. 1 Ti.3.15,16. Ga.2.9.

5 See note on Ps.3.2.—C.

4 I^g said unto the fools,⁶ Deal not foolishly; and to the wicked, ^hLift not up the horn:⁷

g 2 Sa.ii.v.viii.x. Ps.82.1-7; 101.2-8.

6 Fools. To men forgetting or practically denying God. See Ps.14.1.—C.

h Zec.1.21. Ps.52.1. Is.17.12-14. Da.7.8,20.

7 Horn. The horn is used throughout the Psalms as an emblem of power.—C.

5 Lift not up your horn on high:⁸ speak not with a stiff neck.

8 Use your power humbly; be ready to stoop to men of low degree.—C.

6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south;⁹

9 Heb. desert.

7 Butⁱ God is the judge: ^jhe putteth down one, and setteth up another.

i Ps.50.6; 58.11. Da.4.35.

j 1 Sa.2.7,8. Ps.113.7,8. Da.2.21. Eze.17.24.

8 For^k in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture: and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

A.M. cir. 2956. B.C. cir. 1048.

k Ps.11.6; 60.3; 73.10. Is.51.17. Je.25.15. Re.14.9,10; 16.19. Job 20.21. 1 Th.2.16.

9 But^l I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.¹

l Ps.22.22; 145.1,2; 146.2; 103.1-5; 104.33,34; 115.1,3.

1 Jacob prized the blessing, was exiled, and a pilgrim (He.11.13), prospered in toil, wrestled in faith and prayer—of all such Jehovah is the God.—C.

10 Allⁿ the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but ^othe horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

n Ps.101.8. Je.48.25. Zec.1.20.

o Ps.89.17; 148.14; 92.10; 132.17,18. 1 Sa.2.10.

Notes

Ver. 3. The single speaker can be no other than Messiah, prophetically arrived in his church. None but Christ alone could, without vain boasting and arrogance, attribute to himself such mighty power.—Note, The world, with all its institutions, is preserved from ruin merely that Christ may be glorified. C.

Reflections.—While we think of Jesus Christ, whom God has marvellously crowned with glory and honour, and of the infinite danger of opposing his government, let us remark what wonderful works of God have been exercised to usward. Great is the praise which we owe to God on every review of his mercies. Important and useful is the charge which is committed to magistrates and ministers: and there is great need of activity and care in their administrations, as they must be accountable to God, from whom they received their power. One true patriot may sometimes save a disjointed church or state from impending ruin. But vain and dangerous is it to withstand God's deputies. The righteous shall be advanced and flourish, while obstinate sinners shall be plunged into everlasting misery.