Psalms 75
Big idea: God answers the previous psalm's how long with a schedule: when I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly. The image at the centre is a cup — full of foaming wine mixed with spices, poured out, and drunk to the very dregs. And the psalm's deflation of ambition is geographical: exaltation comes from neither east, nor west, nor south. Three directions are named and one is conspicuously missing, because that is where it comes from.
Psalm 75 has God name the appointed time. Psalm 76 shows what it looks like when it arrives.
75:1–10 — He puts down one, and lifts up another
A psalm about timing, and God speaks in the middle of it to say so: 'WHEN I CHOOSE the appointed time, I will judge.' The delay everyone else complains about is described here as a decision. Then the psalm's geography joke — exaltation comes from no compass point at all, because promotion is not horizontal — and the cup, which is passed down to the dregs.
1 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm by Asaph. A song. We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell about your wondrous works. 2 When I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly. 3 The earth and all its inhabitants quake. I firmly hold its pillars. Selah. 4 I said to the arrogant, “Don’t boast!” I said to the wicked, “Don’t lift up the horn. 5 Don’t lift up your horn on high. Don’t speak with a stiff neck.” 6 For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation. 7 But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another. 8 For in Yahweh’s hand there is a cup, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours it out. Indeed the wicked of the earth drink and drink it to its very dregs. 9 But I will declare this forever: I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).