Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 75

Do we give thanks. The use of the first person plural pronoun suggests that the psalm was intended for public worship. The repetition of the phrase lends liturgical emphasis. Name. See on Ps. 5:11; 7:17. Is near. In His manifestation of power in delivering Israel from the enemy, God manifests His nearness (see Deut. 4:7). Thy wondrous works declare. Or, “they recount Thy wondrous deeds.”

Congregation. Heb. mo‘ed, “set time,” “assembly,” “place of assembly.” God is introduced as Speaker (see Ps. 46:10). He chooses the opportune time, the exact moment best suited to His purposes. In our human impatience, we tend to run ahead of God (see Hab. 2:3). Uprightly. When God judges, there is equal justice for all (see 2 Sam. 23:3; Ps. 58:1).

Are dissolved. When the land seems about to melt before the invader, God steps in to sustain. Without God, everything would fail. Pillars. The earth is likened to a strong building upheld by pillars. Selah. See p. 629.

Horn. Frequently a symbo1 of strength (see 1 Sam. 2:10; Ps. 89:24).

With a stiff neck. That is, arrogantly, imperiously, obstinately; the phrase “a stiff neck” is common in the Pentateuch (see Ex. 32:9; 33:3, 5; Deut. 9:6, 13; 31:27).

Promotion. Literally, “lifting up.” Success does not come from natural geographic advantages or from nations inhabiting the regions at the four points of the compass, but from man’s conformity to God’s eternal plan (see MH 476, 477). The ultimate issue is decided by God (see v. 7).

Judge. See Gen. 18:25; Ps. 50:6; 82:1; 94:2. Putteth down. True of individuals and of nations (see 1 Sam. 2:7, 8; Ps. 147:6; Dan. 2:21; 4:17).

Cup. God is represented as holding in His hand a cup for men to drink (see on Ps. 60:3; cf. Isa. 51:17, 22; Rev. 14:9, 10). Full of mixture. Mixed with spices, to make the wine stronger and increase its intoxicating power (see Prov. 9:2; 23:30; Isa. 5:22). Dregs. The wicked must empty the cup, drinking its entire contents. This impressive picture of the righteous judgment of God is well calculated to inspire a fear of sin.

I. The psalmist speaks for himself, and, as an act of public worship, for the people of Israel. Will declare. The psalmist pledges himself to declare the righteousness of God’s dealing with men (see v. 1).

Horns. See on v. 4. Will I cut off. “I” may mean God; the Hebrew language abounds in such sudden changes in person. The psalmist may speak for God, or the psalmist may speak for the people, confident that God will assist them in defeating the wicked. The psalm closes with a universal statement of God’s just government.