Psalms 75

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 75

1¶ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm [or] Song of Asaph. Unto 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.

6¶ For 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalms 75 opens with fervent thanksgiving to God, acknowledging His nearness and wondrous works. The psalm then declares God's righteous judgment, asserting His sole authority over promotion and abasement among men. It warns the arrogant and wicked against their pride, promising that their power will be cut off, while the righteous will be exalted.

Medium Summary

The psalmist offers profound thanks to God, acknowledging His presence and the declaration of His wondrous works. A divine voice proclaims the intention to judge righteously, even as the earth and its inhabitants seem to dissolve, for God upholds its foundations. The psalm sternly admonishes the foolish and wicked to cease their arrogant boasting and stiff-necked speech. It emphasizes that true promotion and authority do not originate from any earthly direction but solely from God, who acts as the supreme judge, humbling some and elevating others. The imagery of a cup of wrath is presented, from which the wicked must drink the bitter dregs of divine judgment. Consequently, the psalmist resolves to continually declare God's praise, confident that the power of the wicked will be diminished, and the power of the righteous will be magnified.

Long Summary

Psalms 75 opens with a fervent expression of thanksgiving to God, repeated for emphasis, acknowledging that His name is near and His wondrous works are clearly manifest. The psalm then transitions to a declaration, possibly from God Himself or a divinely appointed judge, stating the intent to judge the congregation uprightly. This judgment is set against a backdrop where "the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved," yet the speaker asserts divine sustenance, bearing up its very pillars. A direct warning is issued to the foolish and the wicked, admonishing them not to act foolishly, "lift not up the horn" in arrogance, nor speak with a "stiff neck" of pride. The psalm explicitly states that promotion and elevation do not originate from any earthly direction—neither east, west, nor south—but rather from God alone. He is unequivocally declared as the supreme judge, possessing the authority to put down one and set up another according to His sovereign will. A powerful metaphor is introduced: in the hand of the LORD is a cup filled with red wine, "full of mixture," from which He pours out judgment. The dregs of this cup, representing the most severe aspects of divine wrath, are reserved for "all the wicked of the earth," who "shall wring them out, and drink them." In contrast to this impending judgment upon the wicked, the psalmist expresses a personal commitment to declare God's praise forever and to sing praises to the God of Jacob. The psalm concludes with a definitive statement regarding the ultimate fate of the wicked and the righteous: "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted," symbolizing the complete abasement of the wicked's power and the elevation of the righteous.

Core Concepts

  • Divine ThanksgivingThe psalm begins with a direct and repeated expression of gratitude to God, acknowledging His presence and the evidence of His mighty works.
  • Righteous JudgmentGod is presented as the ultimate and impartial judge, who will preside over the congregation and correct the dissolution of the earth.
  • Divine Sovereignty over PromotionThe chapter asserts that human advancement or demotion does not come from earthly sources but is solely determined by God's will.
  • Warning Against ArroganceThe foolish and wicked are explicitly warned against pride, boasting, and stubbornness, symbolized by "lifting up the horn" and speaking with a "stiff neck."
  • Cup of WrathThis vivid metaphor illustrates God's impending judgment upon the wicked, who are destined to drink the full measure of His indignation.
  • Exaltation of the RighteousThe psalm contrasts the cutting off of the wicked's power ("horns") with the promised elevation and strength of the righteous.