Psalm 75 In times of turmoil,
We seek something solid,
A steady voice that speaks not from the ever-changing tides of the world,
But from an eternal,
Unmovable foundation.
Psalm 75,
Attributed to Aesop,
Sings this kind of voice.
It is a song of gratitude,
Of divine judgment,
And of sovereignty that both comforts and challenges us.
In our modern lives,
Full of shifting opinions,
Sudden changes,
And uncertainties,
Psalm 75 stands as a timeless reminder that God holds all things,
That there is a rhythm and timing beyond our understanding,
And that the judge of the world is good,
Just,
And near.
Psalm 75 We give thanks to you,
O God,
We give thanks,
For your wondrous works declare that your name is near.
When I choose the proper time,
I will judge uprightly.
The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved.
I set up its pillars firmly,
Selah.
I said to the boastful,
Do not deal boastfully,
And to the wicked,
Do not lift up the horn.
Do not lift up your horn on high,
Do not speak with a stiff neck.
For exaltation comes neither from the east,
Nor from the west,
Nor from the south.
But God is the judge.
He puts down one and exalts another.
For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup,
And the wine is dead.
It is fully mixed,
And he pours it out.
Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down.
But I will declare forever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,
But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Verse 1 We give thanks to you,
O God,
We give thanks.
For your wondrous works declare that your name is near.
This opening of joyful exclamation,
A reminder that gratitude lies at the heart of spiritual practice.
In moments of stillness,
In moments of stillness,
Think of how often we take for granted the nearness of the divine.
We rush to life,
Barely pausing to feel the presence that hovers gently over all creation.
Reflecting on this,
Imagine a warm glow surrounding you,
A nearness of something infinitely loving and powerful.
Today,
Pause and give thanks.
Find one beautiful thing in your surroundings or in your life,
And let your heart pour out gratitude.
As you breathe in deeply,
Remind yourself that God's name is near,
Closer than your breath,
And know that this nearness holds wondrous works beyond what you can comprehend.
Verses 2 and 3 When I choose the proper time,
I will judge uprightly.
The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved.
I set up its pillars firmly,
Sela.
Here we learn that God operates in divine timing,
Choosing the proper time to act.
This verse teaches patience and trust in divine wisdom.
How often do we feel like things are falling apart,
Like our lives or even the world are dissolving before us.
Yet,
God assures us there is order in the apparent chaos.
The pillars of the earth,
Though unseen,
Are held firmly by the Creator.
When you feel impatience creeping in,
Or when anxiety grips you because of uncertainty,
Take a moment to surrender control.
Trust that there is a timing beyond our understanding.
As you exhale,
Let go of the need to have all the answers now.
Whisper to yourself,
God is holding everything together and rest in that truth.
Verses 4 and 5 I said to the boastful,
Do not deal boastfully.
I said to the boastful,
Do not deal boastfully.
And to the wicked,
Do not lift up the horn.
Do not lift up your horn on high.
Do not speak with a stiff neck.
This passage addresses human pride.
It is a call to humility,
A gentle admonition not to live boastfully or in self-importance.
How often do we become stiff-necked,
Resistant to surrendering our egos,
Thinking our way is best.
Pride,
In all its subtle forms,
Closes us off from grace.
Ask yourself,
Where am I holding pride?
Maybe it shows up as a need to be right,
To control or to resist the gentle nudging of the spirit.
Today,
Soften your heart.
In humility,
Open yourself to the wisdom that comes not from your own strength,
But from a higher source.
Verses 6 and 7 For exaltation comes neither from the East,
Nor from the West,
Nor from the South.
But God is the judge.
But God is the judge.
He puts down one and exalts another.
Here the psalmist reminds us that promotion,
Success or recognition does not come from human effort alone.
True elevation comes from God,
The ultimate judge who sees beyond appearances and acts in divine wisdom.
It is a call to let go of striving for approval and validation from external sources.
As you reflect on these verses,
Release any anxiety about where you stand in life,
Who recognizes you or whether you are seen.
Know that your worth and destiny are lovingly directed by God.
Imagine yourself resting in divine hands,
Perfectly placed where you need to be at this moment.
Verse 8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup and the wine is red.
It is fully mixed and He pours it out.
Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down.
The image of the cup is one of judgment and justice.
It is a sobering reminder that actions have consequences and divine justice will prevail.
Yet,
In contemplating this we can also find comfort.
In a world where so much seems unjust,
The cup in God's hand symbolizes that nothing escapes divine awareness.
Reflect on the injustices you see or experience and in prayer release them into God's hands.
Trust that God is just and that all things will be made right.
Let this bring you peace and release any desire for personal vengeance.
Verses 9 and 10 But I will declare forever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,
But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
The psalm concludes with a declaration of eternal praise.
Despite all the mysteries of judgment and the weight of the world's wrongs,
There is a resolution to sing praises to God.
It is a call to align ourselves with righteousness and to trust that goodness will ultimately be lifted.
End this meditation with a song of praise in your heart.
Even if it feels like things are unresolved,
Choose to sing anyway,
Trusting that in God's perfect plan all will be set right.
As you breathe in,
Feel joy rising within you.
As you breathe out,
Let it express gratitude and awe.
A prayer Divine Judge,
Merciful Creator,
I surrender my striving,
My need for control and my impatience.
I rest in your perfect timing and trust in your righteous judgment.
Help me to live humbly,
To trust deeply and to praise you endlessly.
When I feel unsteady,
Remind me of your nearness.
When I feel overlooked,
Remind me that you see.
When I feel anxious,
Remind me of your pillars holding all things.
May I walk in your peace and may my life be a song of gratitude to you.
Amen.
