30 Days in the PsalmsНамуна

Day #14: Psalm 75

Psalm 75, like Psalm 73, is associated with Asaph, a poet-musician who was a contemporary of King David (1 Chronicles 15:17, 19). Psalm 75 actually addresses the same situation as Psalm 73—the fate of the wicked. But this time, the psalmist approaches it from a starting point of thanksgiving rather than lament.

This is clearly a collective prayer—the whole community of faith lifts its voice together. “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks; your name is near” (v. 1, NRSV). Then God replies—a beautiful illustration of the two-way nature of prayer! The Lord speaks words of assurance to his people who are contemplating what will happen to the wicked: “At the set time that I appoint I will judge the earth with equity. When the earth totters, with all its inhabitants, it is I who keep its pillars steady” (vv. 2–3).

Then we hear Asaph’s solo voice. Surprisingly, he addresses the wicked directly, issuing them a stern warning not to boast or use insolent, self-aggrandizing speech (vv. 4–5). The rationale for his warning is the reality that God has just expressed, the one that Asaph saw so clearly when he took his lament into God’s presence (Psalm 73:17–20). The Lord himself will execute judgment, which Asaph pictures as a foaming cup of wine that the wicked must drink, draining it to the dregs (vv. 6–8).

Then this singing, praying poet seems to turn back to his community of fellow worshipers, leading them in grateful praise. “I will rejoice forever,” he sings. “I will sing praises to the God of Jacob” (v. 9). Following the praise, God speaks again, with a further reassurance that strongly echoes Psalm 1: “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly” (v. 10, NLT). The psalm ends on that resounding promise.

Today is a good day to praise the Lord—and to call your community to join you in celebrating his promises to the righteous.