INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 75 TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, ALTASCHITH, A PSALM [OR] SONG OF ASAPH. Of the word "altaschith", Psalms 57:1, it signifies "do not destroy", or "do not corrupt"; the Targum renders it, "do not destroy thy people;'' so Jarchi, "do not destroy Israel;'' perhaps it may be consider... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THEE, O GOD, DO WE GIVE THANKS,.... Either David and his men, when he was delivered from Saul, and raised to the kingdom, or the Jews upon their return from the Babylonish captivity; or rather the churches of Christ under the Gospel dispensation, for the coming of Christ and the blessings of gr... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I SHALL RECEIVE THE CONGREGATION,.... Some render it, from the Arabic signification of the word, "the promise" o; the Spirit promised, the gifts of the Spirit, which Christ received for men, and gave to men, whereby he executes the judgment or government of the church committed to him: others t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EARTH AND ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF ARE DISSOLVED,.... Or "melted" p; the inhabitants, through fear and dread of the righteous Judge, appearing in the clouds of heaven, and of the wrath that is coming on they are deserving of; and the earth, through fire, when the heavens being on fire shall b... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAID UNTO THE FOOLS,.... To the vain gloriosos, proud boasters, mockers, and scoffers at the day of judgment, and burning of the world: DEAL NOT FOOLISHLY; by glorying in themselves, boasting of their riches, and trusting in them; singing a requiem to themselves on account of their abundance, and... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFT NOT UP YOUR HORN ON HIGH,.... Or "against the most High" q; as the little horn, or the beast with ten horns, antichrist, does, whose look is more stout than his fellows, and opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven, Daniel 7:8, SPEAK [NO... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR PROMOTION COMETH NEITHER FROM THE EAST, NOR FROM THE WEST, NOR FROM THE SOUTH. It is not from men, from themselves, or others, or from any quarter under the heavens, but from God; it is he that raises men to high places, and sets them there, which are often slippery ones: by him kings reign; the... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GOD IS THE JUDGE,.... Or "because God is the Judge" u; and so this is another reason why fools should not deal foolishly, nor wicked men lift up the horn, and speak with a stiff neck, because there is a Judge to whom they are accountable for their words and actions; and this Judge is God omnisci... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN THE HAND OF THE LORD THERE IS A CUP,.... Another reason why men should not act haughtily and arrogantly; for by the cup are meant afflictions, calamities, and judgments, which are measured out in proportion to men's sins, and are of God's appointing, and in his hands, and at his disposal AND... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL DECLARE FOR EVER,.... These are not the words of the psalmist, but of Christ, who is all along speaking in the psalm; what he would declare is not expressed, and is to be supplied in sense thus; either that he would declare the wonderful works of God, Psalms 75:1, so the Targum, his thou... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE HORNS OF THE WICKED ALSO WILL I CUT OFF,.... Therefore let them not lift up the horn on high: "horns" denote the power and authority of wicked men, their kingdoms and states; both Rome Pagan and Rome Papal are said to have ten horns, which are interpreted of ten kings or kingdoms; and which... [ Continue Reading ]