Psalm 75

English Standard Version Psalm 75:10

the wicked I will cut off

1. THE PEOPLE PRAISE GOD v1

The importance of worship.

. “We should praise God again and again. Stinted gratitude is ingratitude. For infinite goodness there should be measureless thanks.” (Spurgeon)

Why praise?

a. He is Near

The name of God, as is well known, is taken for his power; and his presence, or nearness, is judged of by the assistance which he grants to his people in the time of their need.1

1 Calvin,

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 75

God’s name represents His presence. The history of God’s supernatural interventions on behalf of His people demonstrated that God was personally immanent.

b. His Deeds Are Great

True worship is offered when God’s nearness, God’s presence, is communicated by His actions1 His wondrous deeds deserve praise & show that He is near

When Jesus commands Peter to haul in a catch of fish, the disciple falls at His feet in fear and wonder (Luke 5:8).1

We are grateful for God’s great works among us, but not only for the works themselves. They are constant reminders of the love, goodness, mercy, and wisdom of God toward and among His people. It is a wonderful thing to know and experience that His name is near.

2. THE LORD SPEAKS v2-5

with awestruck hearts we are ready to receive His Word. In this context God speaks1

1 Williams,

In context worship God speaks. When come Sunday must come to listen.

a. Asserts His Sovereignty v2

At set time I will judge.

God is the Lord of time (v. 2). He alone chooses when to act. He is sovereign1

We often feel that we know the proper time for God’s judgments and we are often troubled because God does not seem to share our perspective. The believer should have a humble trust in the uprightness of God’s judgments and the proper time of them.

“If judgment were left in our hands, we would probably let it flash out against anything that displeases us whenever we see it. But God lets evil go unchecked sometimes for a rather long time, knowing that he has appointed a proper time when it will be brought down.” (Boice)

God’s work is His work, and we must wait for Him while praying diligently. As Jesus told the disciples: “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:71

b. Asserts His Fairness v2

God declares Himself to be the “upright” (“straight, just”) judge (v. 2)1

c. Asserts His Stabilising Power v3

I keep its pillars steady. Judgement is coming. Final Judgement but until then God keeps the world standing.

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 75

In uncertain times, God stabilizes societies through His common grace.

d. Commands The Wicked v4-5

In light of the coming judgment, God addresses the “boastful” and the “wicked” in verses 4–51

First, God warns the “boastful: Do not deal boastfully1

Second, God addresses the “wicked” (“criminals, lawbreakers,” see Ps. 1:1): “Do not lift up the horn.” The “horn” is a symbol of power1

: The figure of the stiff neck was taken from the world of agriculture, where ox or cattle might resist the yoke for plowing and other work. God cautioned the proud and wicked to not resist Him in the same way.

i. “Impudence before God is madness. The out-stretched neck of insolent pride is sure to provoke his axe. Those who carry their heads high shall find that they will be lifted yet higher, as Haman was upon the gallows which he had prepared for the righteous man.” (Spurgeon)

3. THE PSALMIST CONSIDERS v6-8

Meditates on the word that He has haerd.

We must do same. Not rush out. New way helpful. cant just chatter away.

a. Men do not determine Outcomes v6, 7

English Standard Version Psalm 75:6

For not from the east or from the west

What does the psalmist receive in his meditation? His first thought is that “exaltation” doesn’t come from a geographical location, neither “east,” “west,” nor “south” (literally, “the wilderness”); it does not originate on this planet. His second thought is that exaltation comes from God. He is the “judge” (see v. 2). He “puts down one” and “exalts another” (v. 7). It is before Him that we stand or fall. To the wicked He gives the cup of judgment or destiny (see Ps. 11:6; Mark 10:38). This cup is held in His hand, since He is sovereign. Moreover, it is “fully mixed”; it is ready to be drunk, and it will be drained completely.1

1 Williams, D., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1989). Psalms 73–150 (Vol. 14, p. 36). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

The word “promotion” here is used in a very expressive way; it means the desire of sell-advancement, (harim), and would teach us that all our inward schemes, and outward plans, cannot gain for us advancement, unless based upon the fear and love of God.” (Bateman, cited in Spurgeon)

Commentary on the Book of Psalms Psalm 75

The prophet here furnishes an admirable remedy for correcting pride, when he teaches us that promotion or advancement proceeds not from the earth but from God alone

Commentary on the Book of Psalms Psalm 75

The prophet does not simply attribute judgment to God. He also defines what kind of judgment it is, affirming it to consist in this, that, casting down one man and elevating another to dignity, he orders the affairs of the human race as seemeth good in his sight.

b. God’s Judgement is Dreadful v8

Commentary on the Book of Psalms Psalm 75

He affirms, that the object for which God reigns is, that no iniquity may remain unpunished; but that when wicked men have broken through all restraint and abandoned themselves to wickedness, he may drag them to deserved punishment

Commentary on the Book of Psalms Psalm 75

As red wine among the Jews was the strongest and sharpest, we may suppose that it is here referred to; and the similitude is very appropriate, which represents God as having in his hand wine of a highly intoxicating character, with which to make the ungodly drunk even to death. It is implied, that the swiftness of divine vengeance is incredible, resembling the rapidity and power with which strong wine penetrates to the brain, and either produces madness or kindles a fever

The metaphor of Psalms 75:8, in which judgment is represented as a cup of foaming wine, which God puts to the lips of the nations, receives great expansion in the prophets, especially in Jeremiah, and recurs in the Apocalypse. There is a grim contrast between the images of festivity and hospitality called up by the picture of a host presenting the wine cup to his guests, and the stern compulsion which makes the ‘wicked’ gulp down the nauseous draught held by God to their reluctant lips.” (Maclaren)

They who have drunk so willingly and freely of the cup of sin, shall be forced, whether they will or no, to drink the cup of judgment. And it is not a sip or two shall serve their turns; they must drink all, dregs and all, they shall drink it to the bottom, and yet they shall never come to the bottom; they have loved long draughts, and now they shall have one long enough; there is eternity to the bottom.” (Caryl,

4. THE PSALMIST PROCLAIMS v9-10

English Standard Version Psalm 75:9

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob

In light of these awesome realities, the psalmist “will declare [“tell, confess”] forever” (v. 9). 1

He declares the Word of The Lord

English Standard Version Psalm 75:10

the wicked I will cut off

God now has the last word. He will destroy the “wicked” (see v. 4). Their “horns,” their power (see vv. 4–5), will be “cut off,” terminated. However, the horns of the “righteous,” those who live in the covenant and who obey Torah (the law), will be exalted. Their godly power will be magnified on the day of judgment.1