Psalm chapter 75
English Standard Version
1We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds. 2"At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. 3When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah 4I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; 5do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’" 6For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 7but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. 8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs. 9But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
New International Version
1For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song. We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. 2You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity. 3When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. 4To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
5Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’ " 6No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. 7It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
8In 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. 9As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob, 10who says, "I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up."
New American Standard Bible
1 We give thanks to You, God, we give thanks, For Your name is near; People declare Your wondrous works. 2'When I select an appointed time, It is I who judge fairly. 3The earth and all who inhabit it are unsteady; It is I who have firmly set its pillars. Selah 4I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn; 5Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.’?' 6For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation; 7But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another. 8For a cup is in the hand of the Lord, and the wine foams; It is well mixed, and He pours out of this; Certainly all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink its dregs. 9But as for me, I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10And He will cut off all the horns of the wicked, But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.
Christian Standard Bible
1For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song. We give thanks to you, God; we give thanks to you, for your name is near. People tell about your wondrous works. 2"When I choose a time, I will judge fairly.
3When the earth and all its inhabitants shake, I am the one who steadies its pillars. Selah 4I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.
New Living Translation
4'I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’ I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists! 5Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.’' 6For no one on earth — from east or west, or even from the wilderness — should raise a defiant fist. 7It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall. 8For the Lord holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.} We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. 2“When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly.
4“I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. 5Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.’ ” 6For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. 7But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. 8For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, And the wine is red; It is fully mixed, and He pours it out; Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth Drain and drink down. 9But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10“All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”
What does Psalm chapter 75 mean?
This passage, along with Psalms 57—59, refers to "Do Not Destroy." This was probably a melody to which these words were set. It is also associated with Asaph, a common name seen in titles of psalms (Psalm 50; 73—83). While other psalms request victory, this one speaks in expectation that God's victory is guaranteed.The song begins with thanks to God. He is "near" to the people of Israel. In this context, this implies that God has an intimate, loving relationship with His people. The Lord's influence on them is obvious. Thanks are also given for the miracles He has done. Recognition of God's previous wonders (Psalm 46:8–10; 66:5–7) is important when facing an existing struggle (Psalm 75:1).
Next, the psalmist speaks from God's perspective. As noted in the prior psalm (Psalm 74:10, 23), judgment will come in God's timing. The term "equity" is a combination of the concepts of justice and goodness. This means things which are morally right and perfectly just. Even when the world is shaken—by natural disasters or God's own power—He maintains it (Psalm 75:2–3).
Continuing His statement, the Lord warns those who would reject Him: they should set aside their arrogance and stubbornness (Psalm 10:11–14; 14:1). The imagery of an animal lifting its horns up high implies defiance. The same is true of the reference to the neck: an animal resisting its master's commands does so most immediately by refusing to move its head when it is told. This imagery is common when the Bible speaks about obstinate sin (Exodus 33:5; Nehemiah 9:29; Proverbs 29:1). Those who think to defy God will suffer His wrath (Psalm 75:4–5).
The psalm returns to the viewpoint of the psalmist. Rescue from life's dangers and salvation for one's soul come from nowhere on earth, no matter how near or far. Rather, all success and failure are ultimately up to the will of God. Those who refuse to submit to their Creator (Psalm 75:4–5) can expect to suffer God's unimaginable wrath. This is symbolized by a cup of wine, also a common symbol in the Bible (Isaiah 51:17; Matthew 20:21–23; 26:42; Revelation 14:10). This represents wrath: God will bring every drop of judgment to those who prefer evil over goodness (Psalm 75:6–8).
The final two verses of the psalm may both come from the psalmist's perspective. It's also possible that the final verse is again coming from the Lord Himself. The psalmist intends to praise the One True God (John 17:3) who came to Israel's patriarchs (Psalm 46:7; Acts 3:13). Either the psalmist, or the Lord, promise to strike at the "horns" of evil people, while preserving those who are godly (Psalm 75:9–10).
