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Psalm 75[a]

God the Judge of the World

For the leader. Do not destroy! A psalm of Asaph; a song.

I

We thank you, God, we give thanks;
    we call upon your name,
    we declare your wonderful deeds.
[You said:][b]
“I will choose the time;
    I will judge fairly.
Though the earth and all its inhabitants quake,
    I make steady its pillars.”(A)
Selah

II

So I say to the boastful: “Do not boast!”(B)
    to the wicked: “Do not raise your horns![c]
Do not raise your horns against heaven!
    Do not speak with a stiff neck!”(C)
For judgment comes not from east or from west,
    not from the wilderness or the mountains,(D)
But from God who decides,
    who brings some low and raises others high.(E)
Yes, a cup[d] is in the Lord’s hand,
    foaming wine, fully spiced.
When God pours it out,
    they will drain it even to the dregs;
    all the wicked of the earth will drink.(F)
10 But I will rejoice forever;
    I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
11 (G)[Who has said:]
“I will cut off all the horns of the wicked,
    but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 75 The psalmist gives thanks and rejoices (Ps 75:2, 10) for the direct intervention of God, which is promised in two oracles (Ps 75:3–4, 11). Expecting that divine intervention, the psalmist warns evildoers to repent (Ps 75:5–9).
  2. 75:2 You said: supplied for clarity here and in Ps 75:11. The translation assumes in both places that the psalmist is citing an oracle of God.
  3. 75:5 Do not raise your horns!: the horn is the symbol of strength; to raise one’s horn is to exalt one’s own power as Ps 75:5 explains.
  4. 75:9 A cup: “the cup of God’s wrath” is the punishment inflicted on the wicked, cf. Is 51:17; Jer 25:15–29; 49:12; Eze 23:31–33. Spiced: lit., “a mixed drink”; spices or drugs were added to wine, cf. Prv 9:2, 5.

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.