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God’s Righteous Judgment
Psalm 75 is a song that gives thanks to God, then speaks about his judgment. It moves from praise, to God’s own words, to a closing contrast between the wicked and the righteous.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this psalm, the worshippers thank God because his Name is near and people tell of his wondrous works. The passage then records God’s words about the appointed time for judgment, warns the arrogant, and says that God puts down one and lifts up another.
Psalms 75:1–10Main takeaway
Psalm 75 teaches that God judges rightly in his chosen time, and human boasting cannot replace his rule.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Thanks for God’s nearnessThe psalm opens with repeated thanks to God. The reason given is that his Name is near. People also tell about his wondrous works.
Explanation
The psalm opens with repeated thanks to God. The reason given is that his Name is near. People also tell about his wondrous works. From the first verse, this song joins together gratitude, God’s nearness, and public telling of what he has done.
02God chooses the time to judgeThe next words speak in God’s voice. He says he will choose the appointed time and judge blamelessly.
Explanation
The next words speak in God’s voice. He says he will choose the appointed time and judge blamelessly. Even when the earth and all its inhabitants quake, he firmly holds its pillars. The picture is of a shaken world under God’s steady rule.
03A warning against boastingThe arrogant and the wicked are told not to boast and not to lift up the horn. They are also told not to speak with a stiff neck.
Explanation
The arrogant and the wicked are told not to boast and not to lift up the horn. They are also told not to speak with a stiff neck. In this psalm, the repeated horn image is linked with boasting, being lifted up, and being cut off or lifted up.
04God alone lifts up or puts downThe psalm says exaltation does not come from the east, west, or south. Instead, God is the judge.
Explanation
The psalm says exaltation does not come from the east, west, or south. Instead, God is the judge. He puts down one and lifts up another. Honour is not presented here as coming from direction, place, or human power, but from God’s judgment.
05Judgment for the wicked, praise to GodThe cup in Yahweh’s hand shows judgment for the wicked of the earth, who drink it to the dregs.
Explanation
The cup in Yahweh’s hand shows judgment for the wicked of the earth, who drink it to the dregs. The psalmist answers with lasting praise to the God of Jacob. The final line contrasts the wicked and the righteous through the image of their horns.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons for thanksgiving are given in the opening verse?
Notice both what is said about God’s Name and what people tell about him.
02What do the shaking earth and firm pillars say about God’s rule?
Compare the quaking of the earth and its inhabitants with God’s statement that he firmly holds its pillars.
03How does the psalm explain who truly gives exaltation?
Read the denied directions first, then the clear statement that follows about God as judge.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 75:1–10
1We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell about your wondrous works.
2When I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly.
3The earth and all its inhabitants quake. I firmly hold its pillars. Selah.
4I said to the arrogant, “Don’t boast!” I said to the wicked, “Don’t lift up the horn.
5Don’t lift up your horn on high. Don’t speak with a stiff neck.”
6For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation.
7But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another.
8For in Yahweh’s hand there is a cup, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours it out. Indeed the wicked of the earth drink and drink it to its very dregs.
9But I will declare this forever: I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.