God Judges the Proud

75:1 We give thanks to you, O God! We give thanks! You reveal your presence; people tell about your amazing deeds. 75:2 God says, “At the appointed times, I judge fairly. 75:3 When the earth and all its inhabitants dissolve in fear, I make its pillars secure.” (Selah) 75:4 I say to the proud, “Do not be proud,” and to the wicked, “Do not be so confident of victory! 75:5 Do not be so certain you have won! Do not speak with your head held so high! 75:6 For victory does not come from the east or west, or from the wilderness. 75:7 For God is the judge! He brings one down and exalts another. 75:8 For the Lord holds in his hand a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices, and pours it out. Surely all the wicked of the earth will slurp it up and drink it to its very last drop.” 75:9 As for me, I will continually tell what you have done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob! 75:10 God says, “I will bring down all the power of the wicked; the godly will be victorious.” Psalm 76 For the music director; to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of Asaph, a song.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Psalm 75 thanks God for his nearness and mighty deeds. It says that God judges at the right time, makes the world secure, brings down the proud, and lifts up whom he chooses. The psalm ends with praise and the warning that the wicked will be humbled while the godly will be victorious.

This psalm begins with thanksgiving. God is near, and his great works are known among his people. Then God himself speaks. He says that his judgment comes at the appointed time. Even when the earth seems to tremble and life looks unstable, he is the one who makes it secure.

The psalm warns the proud not to boast. The wicked should not act as if they have already won. Human strength, position, or location cannot secure victory. East, west, and wilderness all fail to guarantee success. God is the judge. He humbles one person and lifts up another.

The cup image shows the certainty of judgment. The Lord holds a cup of mixed wine and makes the wicked drink it to the last drop. This is a picture of severe judgment.

The psalm ends as it began, with praise. The singer will keep telling what God has done and will sing to the God of Jacob. God’s final word is that he will bring down the power of the wicked, and the godly will be victorious.

• God is near and worthy of thanksgiving.
• God judges at the appointed time.
• God keeps the world secure even when things seem unstable.
• Pride and boastful confidence are sinful and foolish.
• Victory does not come from human power or place.
• God is the judge who humbles one and exalts another.
• The wicked will face judgment.
• The godly will be victorious by God’s rule.

• Thank God for his mighty deeds.
• Do not be proud.
• Do not boast as if you have already won.
• Do not trust human strength for victory.
• God will judge at his appointed time.
• The wicked will drink the cup of judgment.
• God will bring down the power of the wicked.
• The godly will be victorious.

Psalm 75 belongs to Israel’s worship and teaches that God rules with justice. It shows that God humbles the proud and upholds the faithful. It keeps the focus on the Lord’s own rule and on his appointed time for judgment.

When the world feels unstable, remember that God is still judging wisely and holding things together. Do not build your hope on pride, success, or human strength. Give thanks, stay humble, and trust God to do what is right.

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