Message Notes

SSS 4 7 May 2023
Book 3
Psalms 73-89
Text: Psalm 75

PSALM 75

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
1 We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

2 “When I choose the proper time,
I will judge uprightly.

3 The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved;
I set up its pillars firmly. Selah

4 “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’
And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn.

5 Do not lift up your horn on high;
Do not speak with a stiff neck.’ ”

6 For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.

7 But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another.

8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup,
And the wine is red;
It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;
Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth
Drain and drink down.

9 But I will declare forever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

10 “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,
But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”

Psalm 75:1-10

1. Psalm 75 may be called “An interactive Psalm”

2. A special feature to note

a) The Psalmist prays to the LORD

b) The LORD responds and His word is noted in the Psalm

THE PSALMIST’S PRAISE

1. The Psalmist leads in worship and praise

2. Giving of thanks to the LORD

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

Psalm 75:1

a) Giving of thanks

i) Personal

ii) Congregational

b) Reasons

i) The wondrous works of God

ii) They declare that God (His name) is near

c) Normal Jewish reference to God

i) Reference to God’s name is normal

ii) They call God “Hashem” (literally, “The Name)

THE LORD’S RESPONSE I

2 “When I choose the proper time,
I will judge uprightly.

3 The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved;
I set up its pillars firmly.

Psalm 75:2-3

1. This Response of the LORD

a) It is more in response to Psalm 74

b) In Psalm 74 the Psalmist brings to God’s attention all the harm done to Jerusalem

c) The Psalmist pleaded with God to judge the wicked

2. God’s Judgment

a) It would be meted out

b) He would judge and that uprightly

c) It would be done according to His time

d) God will re-establish the earth

i) The wicked would be dealt with

ii) The pillars (of truth and righteousness) would be established

THE LORD’S RESPONSE II

4 “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’
And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn.

5 Do not lift up your horn on high;
Do not speak with a stiff neck.’ ”

Psalm 75:4-5

1. A word of warning to the boastful

“Do not deal boastfully”

2. A word of warning to the wicked?

a) “Do not lift up the horn”

b) “Do not lift up your horn on high”

c) “Do not speak with a stiff neck”

THE LORD’S RESPONSE III

6 For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.

7 But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another.

Psalm 75:6-7

1. Exaltation in life

a) It does not come from kings

b) There were many neighbouring countries surrounding Israel

c) They “exalt” people by giving them position, power, wealth etc

2. God is the Ultimate Judge

a) He puts down one

b) He exalts another

THE LORD’S RESPONSE IV

8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup,
And the wine is red;
It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;
Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth
Drain and drink down.

9 But I will declare forever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

10 “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,
But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”

Psalm 75:8-10

1. The Cup of Judgment

a) It is in the hand of God

b) The wicked will drink the dregs of the winecup of wrath

2. The horns

a) An imagery used to describe “power”

b) The horns of the wicked would be destroyed

c) The horns of the righteous would be exalted

3. The Response of the Psalmist

“But I will declare forever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.”

Psalm 75:8

a) He would declare what God has spoken

b) He would sing praise to God of Jacob