Click here to read PSALM 75 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 75 is in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. This Psalm shows the Messiah who is righteous and humble overcoming the prideful, who lift up their own “horn” in wickedness. It is God Who “promotes” the Messiah to his rightful position of majesty and power in God’s true sanctuary.
This Psalm has the title “of Asaph.” Psalm 50 in the Exodus book of the Psalms also has this title. There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the Leviticus book of Psalms. Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.” They were responsible for worship in the Temple. For further study on Asaph, see II Kings 18:18,37; I Chronicles 6:39; 9:15; 15:17,19; 16:5,7,37; 25:1,2,6,9; 26:1; II Chronicles 5:12; 20:14; 29:13,30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 2:8; 7:44; 11:17,22; 12:35,46; Psalms 50:1; 73:1; 74:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 78:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1; 82:1; 83:1; Isaiah 36:3,22.
The Psalm includes the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Structure
(Verses 1-3) Messiah gives thanks and judges righteously
Pause
(Verses 4-6) Wicked lift their own horn; God promotes the righteous one (Messiah)
(Verses 7-9) Messiah praises God Who judges righteously
(Verse 10) Wicked lift their own horn; God promotes the righteous
Key Scriptures
Verse 6—“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.” The only direction not mentioned is the north. The north can be associated with God and His power. Lucifer says he will exalt himself above God’s throne and “sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:13). All true promotion comes from God. Proverbs 4:8 says that God’s wisdom will “promote thee.” King Nebuchadnezzar “promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon” because of their trust in God (Daniel 3:30).
Verse 4—“Lift not up the horn.” Priests and kings in some ancient cultures wore horns on their helmets to symbolize divine power. To lift up the horn meant to revel in power or majesty. It is associated with earthly pride in several Bible uses.
Verse 7—“But God is the judge.” The Psalmists declare this great truth repeatedly (Psalms 50:6; 68:5; 75:7). God has given all judgment unto His Son, Jesus Christ. Acts 10:42: “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he [Jesus Christ] which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick [living] and dead.” John 5:27: “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”
Verse 10—“the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.” God is faithful to reward those who serve Him in love. Hebrews 6:10: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
