Psalm 75
Anticipation of What God Will Do As a Righteous Judge
Anticipation of What God Will Do As a Righteous Judge
Psalm 75. This is another Psalm of Asaph, and it it titled “Destroy Not”, which indicates that the Psalm has the character of a prayer for preservation. Here it is the deliverance anticipated, but not yet realized. This Psalm is the answer to the prayer of the previous Psalm. It gives us the voice of the remnant at times, and the answer from God at other times. Prophetically, this Psalm would be placed shortly before the king of the north (“the wicked”) are “cut off”.
PSALM 75
To the chief Musician. ‘Destroy not.’ A Psalm of Asaph: a Song.
1 Unto thee we give thanks, O God, we give thanks; and thy name is near: thy marvellous works declare it.
v.1 Thanks to God. The Psalm opens with thanksgiving to God from the faithful remnant, for the marvelous works of God.
3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I have established its pillars. Selah.
vv.2-3 The Set Time. In the previous psalm the remnant were asking “how long” until God would intervene in judgment. Verses 2-3 are the answer from God to that prayer; “when I shall reach the set time”. God has a “set time” for judgment, and when that time comes, He will “judge with equity”. His judgment is so severe and efficacious that it dissolves the earth [or, the land] and the inhabitants thereof. But when the land is desolated, Messiah upholds its pillars. This is what will happen when Christ appears; He will decimate the earth with judgments, but then He will step underneath and carry it on His shoulders and restore it to a state of unparalleled peace and tranquility.
4 I said unto the boastful, Boast not; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
5 Lift not up your horn on high; speak not arrogantly with a stiff neck.
6 For not from the east nor from the west, nor yet from the south doth exaltation come:
7 For God is the judge; he putteth down one and exalteth another.
8 For in the hand of Jehovah there is a cup, and it foameth with wine, it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same; yea, the dregs thereof shall all the wicked of the earth drain off, and drink.
vv.4-8 Strength Is From Above. In answer to the wicked who have ravaged the land and temple, their boasting and their pride are in vain. True power does not come from the east or west or south. The direction that is omitted is north. The judgment on apostate Israel which will deliver the remnant from Antichrist will come from the north, from the attack of the king of the north! But ultimately, it comes from above, because “God is the judge” (v.7). It is God alone that puts down one or exalts another (see Hannah’s prayer). They see a cup of judgment in Jehovah’s hand (v.8), foaming with a mixture that is intended for the nations to drink. The wicked of the earth must drain that cup of judgment down to the dregs. “For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. … And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.” (Jer. 25:15, 28).
9 But as for me, I will declare for ever; I will sing psalms to the God of Jacob.
10 And all the horns of the wicked will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
vv.9-10 Praise the Result of Judgment. In a characteristic expression of the remnant, “but as for me”, prayers will result from the deliverance of Israel, and the judgment of their enemies. When God judges, everything is set right. An animal’s horn is a symbol of its dignity and strength. All the horns of the wicked are cut off, but the horns of the righteous are exalted.