Psalms Reading – 3.11.2022
Psalm 75
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near;
people tell of your wonderful deeds.
people tell of your wonderful deeds.
2 You say, “I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge with equity.
3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak so defiantly.’”
it is I who judge with equity.
3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak so defiantly.’”
6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.
9 As for me, I will declare this forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”
Asaph leads the congregation in offering praise to God because they know He is near, and they have experienced His many wonderful acts.
Then God speaks in verses 2-5 telling us of His justice. There is an appointed judgment day coming when all things will be made right. God declares He is the one who steadies the world as the ancient people envisioned the earth was set upon pillars as a foundation.
God speaks to the arrogant to stop their boasting and defiant speech and to quit exercising their little power against heaven. There is no one from anywhere on earth who can rival God.
The psalmist confirms what God says beginning in verse 6. God is the righteous Judge. He brings down those who rebel against God and elevates those who worship and honor Him.
We, too, can offer our praise as we are confident in His righteous nature. Justice is at the heart of who God is. Even though things may seem out of order in our world today and evil is gaining significant ground, we can rest assured that God is going to make all things good and right in the final judgment. For the believer in Jesus, this is good news!
Memory Verse: Psalm 73:25, Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
Question(s) to Consider: How do you feel about God’s justice? Are you comforted that all things will be made right and good in due time? Does it motivate you to be found among the righteous?