Bible Commentaries
Psalms 75

Verses 1-10

Psalms 75

God Is Supreme Judge

This is a prayer Psalm of anticipatory faith that is to come to Israel, believed to have been made when Shennacherib besieged Jerusalem, 2 Kings 19:35. It expresses strong faith that God would send bitter judgment and defeat to the proud and boasting wicked who were oppressing God’s people, thus bringing an happy victory to Israel.

Scripture v. 1-10:

Verse 1 repeats with joy an expression of gratitude to God, for a victory God was about to grant them over a proud, wicked, and boastful heathen enemy. Their faith in the words of God’s prophet Isaiah regarding certain victory over the enemy is expressed "For that thy name (honor) is near thy works declare," 2 Kings 19:35; 2 Chronicles 32:21-22; Psalms 20:1. The people seem to have believed the victory was at hand, as prophesied by Isaiah, because of so many past victories he had given them, from the time of their deliverance from Egypt, Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 14:13-15; Exodus 14:21-31. See also Deuteronomy 4:7; Isaiah 30:27; Psalms 119:151; Psalms 145:18; 2 Chronicles 20:19-22; Isaiah 37:21-35.

Verse 2 relates Jehovah God’s instant reply to His people’s prayer of thanksgiving and faith. He pledges that when He shall receive or "take a set time," at the right moment, He will judge his assembly for rewards and the wicked with retribution uprightly, starting on time, doing the work well, Daniel 8:19; Daniel 11:27; Daniel 11:35; Daniel 12:8; Daniel 12:12-13; Habakkuk 2:3; Acts 1:6-7; Luke 21:24. This both alludes to the judgment of doom upon Sennacherib’s army when 185,000 were supernaturally slain outside Jerusalem in one night, and to our Lord’s final judgment of the wicked of the earth, Isaiah 65:24; Revelation 11:12; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 19:7-16. And His judgment is just.

Verse 3, 4 recount Jehovah’s assertion "the earth and all the inhabitants are dissolved. I bear up (support) the pillars of it. Selah." Meditate upon and gain nourishment in this assurance. This assured Israel that the Assyrian armies at hand would be defeated, dividing, frustrating the Assyrian armies. Even as Jesus will those of the antichrist when He comes, Psalms 46:2; Psalms 46:6-7; Luke 21:25-27; Isaiah 24:19-23. At the hour the Lord will also bear up the pillars of the earth, restoring it to its former state of creation in Eden, before the sin of man, Job 38:4-7; Job 28:25; Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 40:21. See also 1 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 5:2; Hebrews 1:3.
Verse 4 adds "I said (warned) the fools (foolish, stupid acting ones) deal not foolishly, and to the wicked, lift not up the horn," the insolent, boasting voice of self-glory and power, which the term "horn" symbolized, Psalms 5:5; Daniel 7:7; Revelation 13:1.

Verse 5 adds a further warning "lift not up your horn on high; speak not with a stiff neck," O Israel, as the Assyrians had done under Sennacherib, 2 Chronicles 32:17-19; 2 Kings 19:9-13; Zechariah 1:21; Isaiah 37:26. The uplifted neck suggested pride and haughtiness, Job 15:26.

Verses 6, 7 declare that promotion comes not from the south (Heb midbar, meaning the desert), south of Palestine, from other nations; Neither did it come from the east or the west, or Egypt, Isaiah 36:4-6; From Horeb or Siani, south and east of Palestine, Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:4. For "God is (administrative) judge. He putteth down one, (repeatedly) and setteth up another," for His own sovereign, covenant will purpose, 1 Samuel 2:7; Daniel 5:18-23.

Verse 8 declares , that:
1) "In the hand of the Lord (extended or reaching out) there is (exists) a cup," a cup (container) of Grace and just judgment, as expressed Job 21:20; Psalms 60:3; Jeremiah 25:15; Ezekiel 23:31-33; Matthew 20:22-23; Matthew 27:46; 1 Peter 3:18.
2)The wine is red," (signifying His shed blood), shed for the sins of all men, for the remission of sins to all who believe, Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14.
3) "It is full of mixture," signifying His red, shed blood, accepted for salvation, brings forgiveness, pardon, reconciliation, peace with God, hope, joy, and eternal life, .
4) "And He poureth out (continually) of the same, repeatedly meeting every need of the believer to sustain him for spiritual service, for which he was saved, Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14.
5) "But the dregs (bitter settlings of the red wine) thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them," or drink of the bitterness of the cup of His blood which they have rejected, until it is too late! The dregs of the wicked shall exist of: a) God’s laughing at His victory over Satan and his hord of devotees, Proverbs 1:26-31; Proverbs 29:1; b) Their memories in hell of rejected calls to salvation, Luke 16:25; c) The cries of their torments echoing through the halls of hell, without any rest, day or night, for ever and ever, Revelation 14:11; Mark 16:16.

Verse 9 relates David’s and Israel’s true faith, "But I will declare (witness) forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob," the covenant God of Israel, to the deliverer and redeemer, for His extended cup of wine (sinless, innocent, personal redemption blood) Exodus 19:3-18; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Revelation 5:9-10; Psalms 107:2; Matthew 5:15-16; Acts 1:8.

Verse 10 concludes that "all the horns (proud boasting) of the wicked also will I cut off: " Psalms 101:8; Jeremiah 48:25. In contrast He (Jehovah God) pledges "But the horns (shouts of praise) of the righteous shall be exalted," lifted high, to the glory of God, personally, and when offered through His church in particular, 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 3:21; See also Psalms 89:17; Psalms 148:14; Revelation 19:6-10.