God
is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another.
Psalm 75:7
Psalm 75 [1.] We give thanks to you, God.
We give thanks, for your Name is near.
Men tell about your wondrous works.
When I choose the appointed time,
I will judge blamelessly.
The earth and all its inhabitants quake.
I firmly hold its pillars.
Selah.
I said to the arrogant, “Don’t boast!”
I said to the wicked, “Don’t lift up the horn.
Don’t lift up your horn on high.
Don’t speak with a stiff neck.”
For neither from the east, nor from the west,
nor yet from the south, comes exaltation.
But God is the judge.
He puts down one, and lifts up another.
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.
But I will declare this forever:
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
Psalm 75 [10.] I will cut off all the horns of the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
Meaning:
This verse is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ultimate authority over the affairs of the world. It comes from a psalm attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levite musician and a leader in King David's court. Psalm 75, as a whole, is a song of thanksgiving and a declaration of God's righteous judgment.
- The Sovereignty of God as Judge:
God’s Role as Judge: The verse explicitly acknowledges God as the ultimate judge, the one who decides the fate of individuals and nations. In human history, we often see rulers, judges, and leaders exert power and make decisions that affect the lives of many. However, Psalm 75:7 reminds us that above all earthly powers, God is the supreme judge. His judgments are final, and He alone has the authority to bring down the proud and to elevate the humble.
Divine Justice: The phrase "He puts down one and lifts up another" speaks to the divine justice that God administers. In a world where injustice often seems to prevail, this verse assures us that God sees everything and that He will ultimately set things right. The proud and wicked may seem to prosper for a time, but God's justice will eventually prevail. Conversely, those who are humble and righteous may be oppressed or overlooked by the world, but God will lift them up in due time.
- The Broader Context of Psalm 75:
A Song of Thanksgiving: Psalm 75 begins with a declaration of thanks to God for His wondrous works and His nearness to His people. The psalmist speaks of God’s promise to judge the world with equity, a theme that runs throughout the psalm. The psalm is both a celebration of God’s righteous judgment and a warning to the wicked that their power is temporary.
God’s Control Over the World: Earlier in the psalm, in verse 3, the psalmist writes, "When the earth and all its inhabitants shake, I firmly hold its pillars." This imagery reinforces the idea that God is in control, even when the world seems unstable and chaotic. He is the one who sustains the world and has the authority to govern it according to His will.
Significance and Application
- Understanding God's Sovereignty:
Trusting in God's Justice: In our lives, we may encounter situations where it seems that those who do wrong prosper, while those who try to live righteously suffer. Psalm 75:7 calls us to trust in God's justice, even when we do not see it immediately. God, as the ultimate judge, knows the hearts of all people, and His judgments are perfectly just. We can take comfort in knowing that He will lift up the humble and bring down the proud according to His righteous judgment.
Humility Before God: This verse also encourages us to approach life with humility. Knowing that God is the one who exalts and humbles should lead us to recognize that our status, success, and positions are not solely the result of our own efforts but are ultimately in God's hands. This perspective fosters humility and a reliance on God rather than on our own abilities or on human approval.
- God's Timing and Wisdom:
God’s Perfect Timing: The verse also speaks to the timing of God's actions. While we might desire immediate justice or reward, God's timing is often different from ours. He knows the right time to lift someone up or to bring them down. This requires patience and faith on our part, trusting that God's timing is perfect and that He knows what is best.
Wisdom in God’s Judgments: God's judgments are not arbitrary; they are based on His perfect wisdom and knowledge. Unlike human judges who can be influenced by external factors or personal biases, God’s decisions are based on His complete understanding of every situation and every heart. This gives us confidence that His judgments are always right and just.
Cross-References:
Daniel 2:21: "He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding." This verse from Daniel echoes the themes of Psalm 75:7, emphasizing God’s control over the rise and fall of leaders and kingdoms. It reinforces the idea that God is sovereign over all human affairs and that He alone has the power to elevate or remove rulers according to His will.
James 4:10: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you." James' exhortation to humility ties directly into the message of Psalm 75:7. It highlights the biblical principle that God lifts up those who humble themselves before Him. This promise of exaltation is not about earthly success but about being honored by God, which is far more significant and lasting.
1 Samuel 2:7: "The LORD makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up." In Hannah’s prayer, we find a similar expression of God’s sovereignty in the lives of individuals. Like Psalm 75:7, this verse affirms that God has the power to change a person’s circumstances, whether by humbling or exalting them, according to His divine purposes.
Conclusion: Psalm 75:7 serves as a profound reminder of God’s sovereignty and His role as the ultimate judge. It encourages us to trust in His justice, knowing that He will ultimately lift up the humble and bring down the proud. The verse calls us to live with humility, recognizing that our lives and destinies are in God’s hands. It also reassures us that even in a world where injustice seems to prevail, God’s righteous judgment will prevail in the end.
As we reflect on this verse, we are reminded to place our trust in God’s timing and wisdom, knowing that He is in control. Whether we are in a position of power or experiencing hardship, our response should be one of humility before God, trusting that He will act justly in His perfect time.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible