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God the Judge

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm of Asaph [C a Levitical musician, a descendant of Gershon, at the time of David; 1 Chr. 6:39; 15:17; 2 Chr. 5:12]. A song.

75 God, we ·thank [praise] you;
    we ·thank [praise] you because ·you [L your name] are near.
We tell about the ·miracles [wonders] you do.

You say, “I set ·the time for trial [L an appointed time],
    and I will judge ·fairly [with integrity].
The earth with all its people may ·shake [totter],
    but I ·am the one who holds it steady [L set/establish its pillars; C the idea was that the earth was supported by pillars]. ·Selah [Interlude]
I say to those who ·are proud [brag; boast], ‘Don’t ·be proud [brag; boast],’
    and to the wicked, ‘Don’t ·show your power [L exalt your horn; C a horn is a symbol of strength].
Don’t ·try to use your power [L exalt your horn] against ·heaven [L the heights; or on high].
    Don’t ·be stubborn [L speak with an insolent neck].’”

No one from the east or the west
    or the ·desert [wilderness] ·can judge you [comes exalting].
God is the judge;
    he ·judges one person as guilty [L puts one down] and ·another as innocent [L raises another up].
The Lord holds a cup in his hand;
    it is ·full of wine mixed with [foaming wine full of] spices [C the cup of God’s wrath; 60:3; Jer. 25:15–29; Nah. 3:11; Matt. 26:39].
He pours it out ·even to the last drop [until its dregs drain out],
    and the wicked drink it all.

I will tell about this forever;
    I will ·sing praise [make a psalm] to the God of Jacob.
10 ·He will take all power away from [L I will cut off all the horns of] the wicked [v. 4],
    but the ·power [L horn] of ·good [righteous] people will ·grow [be exalted].

Psalm 75[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm of Asaph. A song.

We praise you, God,
    we praise you, for your Name is near;(A)
    people tell of your wonderful deeds.(B)

You say, “I choose the appointed time;(C)
    it is I who judge with equity.(D)
When the earth and all its people quake,(E)
    it is I who hold its pillars(F) firm.[b]
To the arrogant(G) I say, ‘Boast no more,’(H)
    and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.[c](I)
Do not lift your horns against heaven;
    do not speak so defiantly.(J)’”

No one from the east or the west
    or from the desert can exalt themselves.
It is God who judges:(K)
    He brings one down, he exalts another.(L)
In the hand of the Lord is a cup
    full of foaming wine mixed(M) with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
    drink it down to its very dregs.(N)

As for me, I will declare(O) this forever;
    I will sing(P) praise to the God of Jacob,(Q)
10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
    but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 75:1 In Hebrew texts 75:1-10 is numbered 75:2-11.
  2. Psalm 75:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  3. Psalm 75:4 Horns here symbolize strength; also in verses 5 and 10.