Asaph
Psalm 75
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.
Scripture (KJV)
1Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
2When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
3The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
4I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
5Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
6For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
8For 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.
9But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Summary
Psalm 75 is a thanksgiving psalm that celebrates God as the judge who puts down one and sets up another. Asaph gives thanks to God, whose name is near and whose wondrous works declare it. God declares that when He receives the congregation, He will judge uprightly, and even when the earth and its inhabitants are dissolved, He bears up its pillars. He warns the foolish and the wicked not to lift up their horn or speak with a stiff neck, for promotion comes neither from east, west, nor south, but God is the judge. In the LORD’s hand is a cup of red wine, and the wicked of the earth shall wring out its dregs and drink them. Asaph resolves to declare God’s deeds forever and sing praises to the God of Jacob, and closes with a promise: "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted."
The major themes are thanksgiving, God as judge, the cup of wrath, promotion, and the exaltation of the righteous. Practically, the psalm teaches that human promotion is in God’s hands and that the proud will be humbled while the righteous are exalted. The great lesson is that God is the judge who puts down one and sets up another.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 75
To You, O God, we give thanks, for Your name is near and Your wondrous works declare it. You will judge uprightly. When the earth is dissolved, You bear up its pillars. Let me not lift up my horn or speak with a stiff neck, for promotion comes from You alone. You are the judge; You put down one and set up another. In Your hand is a cup, and the wicked shall wring out its dregs and drink. I will declare Your deeds forever and sing praises to the God of Jacob. Cut off the horns of the wicked, and let the horns of the righteous be exalted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does this psalm reframe my ambition for promotion?
- 2What does it mean that God "putteth down one, and setteth up another"?
- 3How does the cup of the LORD warn the wicked?
- 4Where do I need to trust that the horns of the righteous shall be exalted?
Related Psalms
Psalm 73
“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”
A struggle with the prosperity of the wicked resolved in God’s presence.
Read morePsalm 74
“O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?”
A national lament over the sanctuary’s destruction, pleading for God to remember.
Read morePsalm 76
“In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.”
A hymn to God’s majesty who establishes peace in Zion.
Read morePsalm 82
“God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.”
God judges unjust judges and calls them to defend the weak.
Read morePsalm 50
“The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.”
God’s judgment on formal worship without thanksgiving and obedience.
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