What does Psalm 75:5 mean?
ESV: do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’"
NIV: Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’ "
NASB: Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.’?'
CSB: Do not lift up your horn against heaven or speak arrogantly.’"
NLT: Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.’'
KJV: Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
NKJV: Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.’ ”
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 75:4–8 continues to speak from God's point of view. The Lord warns anyone whose arrogance keeps them from obeying their Creator (Psalm 10:11–13). In Scripture, obstinate refusal of God's will is depicted as a stiff neck: one that refuses to bow or move as its master requires (Exodus 33:5; Proverbs 29:1). The psalm then returns to the psalmist's voice by declaring that rescue and salvation don't come from earth, but from the Lord alone. Using the common metaphor of a cup of wine (Isaiah 51:17; Revelation 14:10), those who refuse the Lord will suffer every single bit of His judgment.
Chapter Summary:
This psalm begins by thanking the Lord for His many incredible actions. It then speaks from the Lord's perspective as He states that judgment will occur only on His timing. This comes with warnings to those tempted to reject God's authority. Those who oppose the Lord will suffer wrath beyond their imagination. In contrast, the psalmist intends to praise the Lord. He expects God's judgment to separate the righteous from the wicked.
Chapter Context:
The prior psalm, also associated with the name Asaph, was an appeal for God to answer an enemy's horrific attack. Now, this psalmist acknowledges that God has His own timing for judgment. This follows a pattern seen in songs connected Asaph: recognition of a problem (Psalm 73:2–3; 74:1–3) followed by reassurance that God is ultimately in control (Psalm 73:15–18; 74:12–13). What is probably the tune of this song, "Do Not Destroy," is also mentioned in psalms 57—59.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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