Psalms 75:1

PSALM 75

GOD ABASES THE PROUD; BUT HE EXALTS THE RIGHTEOUS

Leupold observed that, "It is particularly meaningful that this Psalm follows Psalms 74."[1] It will be remembered that in Psalms 74, the psalmist was demanding action on God's part "at once," "immediately." Such words, of course, were not used; but the thought of urgency is in every line of that Psalm. "Remember this (Psalms 75:18)," "forget not (Psalms 75:19)," "have respect (Psalms 75:20)," "arise, O God (Psalms 75:22)," "plead thine own cause (Psalms 75:22)," "remember (Psalms 75:22)," and "forget not (Psalms 75:23)."

It seems that Psalms 75 replies to such urgency of human appeals with the revelation that, "In God's own good time, when conditions are just right, when the fullness of time has come, when the fruit of evil is ripe, when wickedness has reached its full development ... then will God order the judgment.

The bold presentation here of God as the Judge seems to caution men against any special urgency calling for God's intervention. The Judge knows when to intervene.

McCullough remarked that, "It is not clear whether the Psalmist is thinking of God's constant judgments in this present world, or of a final definitive judgment at the end of the age."[2] However, Halley summarized the teaching of this psalm as, "The certain destruction of the wicked and certain triumph of the righteous in the day when the earth shall be dissolved."[3] We find no fault with either view, because all earthly judgments of God, such as the Great Deluge, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A. D., and countless other "judgments," are all tokens and pledges of the ultimate judgment of that Final Day.

The occasion with which this psalm may be identified is unknown, although a number of scholars point out that the time shortly before God's judgment against Sennacherib as he was preparing to destroy Jerusalem seems particularly appropriate. Certainly, the background reflected in the psalm is that of a great national disaster looming starkly ahead and threatening the destruction of the people.

What an incredible comfort and consolation it must ever be for either nations or individuals confronting disastrous prospects of any kind whatsoever to remember that The Judge is watching, that he will invariably punish the wicked and reward the righteous, and that he can be fully honored and trusted to do what is right for every person.

Psalms 75:1

"We give thanks unto thee, O God;

We give thanks for thy name is near;

Men tell of thy wondrous works."

The psalmist, who may have been Asaph, or one of his descendants, as indicated in the superscription, began a song of praise and thanksgiving to God; but it was interrupted by God himself breaking into the message with a revelation of The Judge and his righteous judgments. Scholars are by no means in agreement regarding exactly what portions of this psalm were spoken by the psalmist and what was spoken by God himself. It is clear, however, that Psalms 75:1 and Psalms 75:9 belong to the psalmist.

"Thy name is near." This is equivalent to the nearness of God himself.

"Men shall tell of thy wondrous works." There were many things to be included in such declarations, such as the wonders of creation, the wonders of God's dealing with human wickedness on the occasion of the great Deluge, his selection of a Chosen People following the construction of the Tower of Babel, his deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery, his leading them through the wilderness, his settlement of them in Canaan, driving out the sinful nations before them, and many other wonderful things.