Psalms 75

David gives God thanks, together with all the godly, for the gracious changed of affairs in Israel, and voweth that being once made by God (the Author of exilting and humbling) King over Israel, that he will reign piously, punishing the wicked, and exalting the good; and praying God, which suffers indeed the godly to drink of the cup of his wrath, but maketh the ungodly to sup up the dregs.

1. For the Chief song-master, [See Psalm 4.on ver.1.] Al-tascheth: [See Psalm 57.on v.1.] a Psalm, a Hymn, [see Psalm 48.on v.1.] for Asaph. Others of Asaph: But it seemeth altogether, that the opinion of those is the plainest, which by comparing the matter of this Psalm with 2 Sam.chap.2.3.4,5. Gather that David himself did make this Psalm, and gave it to Asaph, when as after Sauls death he was made King over Juda, and the affairs stood so after the death of Ishboseth, that he was like to be possest of the promised Kingdom over all Israel; to give God praise and thanks for this wonderful and gracious change things, promising to reform according to the will of God, whatsoever there was amiss or decayed in the land, and to carry himself suteably as a Type of Christ. Compare this Psalm likewise with Psalm 101.]

2. We praise thee O God, we praise that thy Name is nigh: [i.e. thy self with the performance or accomplishment of thy promises, which thou hast made unto me: others, and thy Name is nigh; viz. In our mouths,] thy wonders are rehearsed; [Heb. They rehearse viz. I my self and all those that adhere to me, and have waited for this time with much patience, praising thee now, as was said, v.2.]

3. When I shall have received the appointed (office:) [i.e. the Kingdom which thou hast promised, and all the Tribes assigned me. Some do apply it to the appointed time of the kingdom; Item, to the assembly of the Elders, as a Diet or Parliament appointed for this purpose; or, the appointed place of holy congregations: to wit, Zion, which David being made King, presently went about to subdue, and to make it the place of Gods worship, and of his regal throne: the matter being all one and the same:] then will I judge rightly altogether. [Heb. Rightnesses, straightnesses, i.e. I shall rule and govern with all right and equity, and fairly and squarely, and so elsewhere frequently.]

4. The land and all the inhabitants thereof, were molten: [By reason of the former troubles, all manner of licentiousness, fear and terror: so Josh.2.9. Compare Deut.1.on v.28.] (but) I have begun in Juda to redress and re-establish all things into good order, in matters of Religion, state and Justice; and I will proceed thus, by the grace of God; For time to come in all Israel] Sela! [See Psa.3.on v.3.]

5. I said to the mad ones; [See of the Hebrew word, Psalm.5.on v.6.] be not mad! And to the ungodly; exalt not the horn: [that is, Be not insolent and high-minded in your power and greatness. See Deut.33.on ver.17. and below v.11.]

6. Exalt not your horn on high, and speak not (with) a stiff neck. [Proudly and stubbornly. Compare Exod.32.on v.9. Job 15:26.]

7. For the exalting [That no one is exalted to great honour and dignity.] (cometh) not from the East, [Heb. From the going forth, i.e. from the rising of the Sun. See Psalms 19:6.] nor from the West, not from the wilderness: (or desert:) [that is, as some conceive, nor from the south, nor from the North, being the land of Juda had Deserts on both these sides, as it is described by some.]

8. But God is judge; he humbleth this (man,) and exalteth that (man.) This hath a particular regard to the exaltation of David unto Kingdom, (after all his sufferings under Saul) according as God had promised him by Samuel, and to the humbling and rejecting of Saul, from the Kingdom, as by Samuel God had likewise foretold him.]

9. For in the hand of the LOD, there is a Cup [Of this comparison, See Psal.11.on v.6. and Job 21.on v.20. etc.] and the wine is troubled,] or bedregged, (full of dregs) see of the Hebrew word above, Psalms 46:4. and Job 16.on v.16. Others troubled, strong, red:] full of mixture, [i.e. fully prepared to be drunk, as in those Countries they used to mingle their strong wines with water: Compare Prov.9.2. Rev.14.2. etc.] and it; viz. First of all to his own people, as David and his good followers and partners had their share. Compare Psalms 73:10. Jer.25.17,18. 1 Pet.4.17.] yet all the ungodly of the earth shall sucking-out drink. [Hebr. Drinking out, drink out: compare Isa.51.17. Ezek.23.34.] the dregs of it: [of that Cup.i.e. they shall undergo the heaviest punishments, endless and everlasting destruction.]

10. And I will declare it forever; I will sing Psalms to the God of Jacob.

11. And I will cut off all the horns of the wicked: [All the might and power, whereby they annoy and hurt the godly. See above v.5.] the horns of the righteous, [i.e. his power and glory] shall be exalted.