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Psalm 75

The God of History

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For the choir director. “Do Not Destroy.”[a] A psalm by Asaph. A song.

Opening Praise

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks.
Your wonderful deeds reveal that your name is near.

God’s Declaration

Yes, I choose the appointed time.
I am the one who judges rightly.
The earth and all its inhabitants are shaking.
I am the one who holds its pillars firm. Interlude
I say to the boasters, “Do not boast,”
and to the wicked, “Do not raise a horn.[b]
Do not raise your horns to the heights.
Do not speak insolently with an outstretched neck.”

His People’s Response

Indeed, power to promote someone does not come
    from the east or from the west or from the wilderness.
No, it is God who makes the decision.
He brings down one. He raises up another.
Indeed, a cup is in the hand of the Lord.
The wine foams. It is fully mixed.
He pours this out.
Yes, they drain its dregs.
All the wicked of the earth drink.

Closing Praise

As for me, I will proclaim this forever.
I will make music for the God of Jacob.
10 I will cut off all the horns of the wicked.
The horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 75:1 This may be the name of the melody.
  2. Psalm 75:4 The word used here is not the word for a musical horn (shofar) but the horn which is the weapon of an animal (qeren).

Psalm 75[a]

For 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;(A)
    people tell of your wonderful deeds.(B)

You say, “I choose the appointed time;(C)
    it is I who judge with equity.(D)
When the earth and all its people quake,(E)
    it is I who hold its pillars(F) firm.[b]
To the arrogant(G) I say, ‘Boast no more,’(H)
    and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.[c](I)
Do not lift your horns against heaven;
    do not speak so defiantly.(J)’”

No one from the east or the west
    or from the desert can exalt themselves.
It is God who judges:(K)
    He brings one down, he exalts another.(L)
In the hand of the Lord is a cup
    full of foaming wine mixed(M) with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
    drink it down to its very dregs.(N)

As for me, I will declare(O) this forever;
    I will sing(P) praise to the God of Jacob,(Q)
10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
    but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 75:1 In Hebrew texts 75:1-10 is numbered 75:2-11.
  2. Psalm 75:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  3. Psalm 75:4 Horns here symbolize strength; also in verses 5 and 10.