Read Psalm 75
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 We praise you, God,
we praise you, for your Name is near;
people tell of your wonderful deeds.
2 You say, “I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge with equity.
3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak so defiantly.’”
6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.
9 As for me, I will declare this forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”
Go Deeper
Psalm 75 marks the halfway point through the Psalms. Similar to Psalm 57, 58, and 59, this psalm is set to the tune of “Do Not Destroy” for the fourth and final time. It is a prayer by Asaph to God consisting of thanksgiving, a word from God, a warning by the church, and anticipation of the Lord’s deliverance.
Asaph knew that judgment was coming. He knew God would destroy the people not following Him, but he prayed for deliverance of the believers. He rejoiced, even though he knew heartbreak was around the corner. This served as a warning for those who were not following God; there was a destructive fate ahead if they did not take the opportunity to turn to righteousness.
This chapter has many references to a horn. In the Old Testament times, the horn was a symbol of boastful power and strength. The foolish were using their horns to promote themselves and their power, exalting themselves even over God. It seems like an old issue… until we think of a phrase we use today. How often do you “toot your own horn?”
We do not want to be foolish. Charles Spurgeon, a preacher and Bible scholar, notes, “When possessed by the arrogant, the horn is said to be ‘cut down’ or humbled. While God rejects the horns of the haughty, he exalts the horns of the righteous.” The Lord sees how we act every day. Self-promoting tendencies and boasting of success will feel good for a moment, but we will be left with God humbling us. Rather, let us live for righteousness and let God lift us up in His timing.
God will judge with equity and He gives us plenty of opportunities to turn to Him. When we turn to Him, He is near and works in our lives. With a focus on His wondrous deeds and praising Him, it will be much easier to declare His praise than tooting our own horn in vain.
Questions
- Has your behavior this week been leading to life in Christ or sin and death?
- Have you been tooting your own horn often? Take a moment to confess and repent.
- How can you encourage another believer today?
Keep Digging
If you are curious about learning more about the verse-by-verse breakdown of this chapter, check out this commentary by Charles Spurgeon.
5 thoughts on “Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 75”
This is something I think everyone struggles with. The balance of humility and gratitude while joyfully enjoying the gifts and blessings the Lord has giving us. I thank and praise him everyday for the blessings in my life. On the flip side I also pray for those lost on wicked paths and hope they can see Jesus in me and other Christians and are encouraged to accept the Holy Spirit to be set free from their wickedness and their ultimate destruction.
I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 1:31, Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” Boasting in the Lord is not self-seeking or self-gratifying. Rather it is centered around the Lord God who deserves all our glory and praise. Everyday we are given opportunities to make much of him. May we apprentice to Christ who lived to love and serve, giving his life as a ransom for many.
Judging and righteousness
When we are wronged by someone it is so easy to “judge” them. We should put them first on our prayer list to be praying for them. They may not know about God or they may have a “stumbling” moment, either way our responsibilty is to pray for those who are persecuting you.
Matthew 5:43-45 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…
We all stumble, we all do what we do not want to do, say things we wish we could take back. BUT GOD gives us another chance due to Jesus Christ blood, through that ALONE, that blood is the only reason. We will stumble, so will the people around us. Grace and pray for them, not our pride rising up, to be more holier than them, or tooting our own horn.
God thank You for eyes to see Your people through Love goggles. Forgive my quick to condem and give me a ability to see the other persons need for You and prays to do that. God all of the world around me struggles, help me to lift them up as I see situations. Thank You for blessings on my “enemies” and eyes to see them as You do and a heart to forgive but a mouth to repent to You when I get aggravated by their actions in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
7 “It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.”
I need to judge less and pray more as I go about my days!
In Matthew 7:3 it asks, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
In Psalm 76:7 it is stated, “But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.”
Powerful contrast!!