◄ Psalm 75:5 ►
Do not lift up your horn against heaven or speak with an outstretched neck.'"
Study Bible
Do not lift up your horn
The phrase "lift up your horn" is a metaphor derived from the imagery of animals, particularly those with horns like bulls or rams, which use their horns as a symbol of strength and dominance. In the Hebrew context, the "horn" (Hebrew: "qeren") symbolizes power, pride, and self-exaltation. The admonition here is against arrogance and self-promotion. Historically, the horn was also used as a symbol of authority and kingship, as seen in various ancient Near Eastern cultures. The psalmist warns against the human tendency to assert one's own power and pride in defiance of God's sovereignty.

against heaven
The term "against heaven" indicates a rebellion or defiance against God, who resides in the heavens. In the biblical worldview, heaven is the realm of God's authority and majesty. To lift one's horn "against heaven" is to challenge divine authority, an act of hubris that is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. This phrase serves as a reminder of the futility of human pride when set against the omnipotence of God. It echoes the biblical theme that true power and authority belong to God alone, and any attempt to usurp this is both foolish and doomed to fail.

or speak with an outstretched neck
The imagery of an "outstretched neck" conveys arrogance and haughtiness. In Hebrew culture, the neck is often associated with one's attitude or disposition. An "outstretched neck" (Hebrew: "marom tsavvar") suggests a posture of pride and defiance, akin to someone who is stiff-necked or unyielding. This phrase warns against the prideful speech that often accompanies a rebellious heart. Throughout Scripture, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The historical context of this admonition would resonate with the Israelites, who were repeatedly cautioned against the dangers of pride and self-reliance, urging them instead to trust in God's wisdom and guidance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 75, Asaph was a prominent Levite musician appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle. His psalms often focus on God's justice and sovereignty.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the psalm was originally addressed, often warned against pride and self-exaltation in their relationship with God.

3. Heaven
Represents the divine realm and authority of God, against which human pride is futile.

4. The Horn
Symbolizes strength and power in biblical literature. In this context, it represents human pride and self-exaltation.

5. The Wicked
Those who oppose God and His ways, often characterized by pride and arrogance.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Pride is a significant barrier to a right relationship with God. It leads to self-reliance and a rejection of God's authority.

God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is sovereign over all creation. Human strength and power are insignificant compared to His divine authority.

Humility as a Virtue
Embrace humility as a key Christian virtue. It aligns us with God's will and opens us to His grace and guidance.

The Futility of Self-Exaltation
Understand that self-exaltation is ultimately futile. True exaltation comes from God alone, who lifts up the humble.

Living in Submission to God
Live a life of submission to God's will, acknowledging His authority in all areas of life. This leads to peace and fulfillment.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the "horn" in Psalm 75:5 help us understand the nature of pride?

2. In what ways can we see the consequences of pride in our own lives and in the world around us?

3. How does the message of Psalm 75:5 relate to the teachings of Jesus on humility and servanthood?

4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate humility and avoid the pitfalls of pride in our daily lives?

5. How can we encourage others in our community to recognize and submit to God's sovereignty, as emphasized in Psalm 75:5?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 2:3
This verse warns against pride and arrogance, emphasizing that God is a God of knowledge who weighs actions.

Proverbs 16:18
This proverb highlights the destructive nature of pride, stating that it precedes destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6
This New Testament verse echoes the theme of humility, stating that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Sermons
Stiff NecksW. Birch.Psalm 75:5
The Uplifted Horn and the Stiff NeckS. Conway Psalm 75:5
God Revealed in NatureThe Signal.Psalm 75:1-10
God's Nearness to the WorldHomilistPsalm 75:1-10
God's Works Declare HimPsalm 75:1-10
The Nearness of GodR. Simpson, M. A.Psalm 75:1-10
The Righteous Judgment of GodC. Short Psalm 75:1-10
The Undaunted OneS. Conway Psalm 75:1-10
People
Asaph, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Arrogantly, Haughty, Heaven, Horn, Horns, Insolence, Insolent, Lift, Lifted, Neck, Necks, Outstretched, Pride, Raise, Speak, Stiff
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 75:5

     5170   neck

Library
Of Compunction of Heart
If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God, and long not to be too free, but restrain all thy senses under discipline and give not thyself up to senseless mirth. Give thyself to compunction of heart and thou shalt find devotion. Compunction openeth the way for many good things, which dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose. It is wonderful that any man can ever rejoice heartily in this life who considereth and weigheth his banishment, and the manifold dangers which beset his soul. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Advertisement.
It seems necessary to give the following outline of the history of this Oxford translation. It was undertaken as part of the great series of original translations which appeared "under the patronage of William, Archbishop of Canterbury, from its commencement, a.d. 1836, until his Grace's departure in peace, a.d. 1848." It proposed to include all the "Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church before the division of the East and West," and this exposition was dedicated as a memorial of Archbishop Howley …
St. Augustine—Exposition on the Book of Psalms

Derivative Doctrines. Grace and the Means of Grace; the Christian Life; the Last Things.
The idea of Grace is important to the theological system of Athanasius, in view of the central place occupied in that system by the idea of restoration and new creation as the specific work of Christ upon His fellow-men (supra, §2, cf. Orat. ii. 56, Exp. in Pss. xxxiii. 2, cxviii. 5, LXX.). But, in common with the Greek Fathers generally, he does not analyse its operation, nor endeavour to fix its relation to free will (cf. Orat. i. 37 fin., iii. 25 sub fin.). The divine predestination relates …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Of his Cross what Shall I Speak, what Say? this Extremest Kind of Death...
9. Of His cross what shall I speak, what say? This extremest kind of death He chose, that not any kind of death might make His Martyrs afraid. The doctrine He shewed in His life as Man, the example of patience He demonstrated in His Cross. There, you have the work, that He was crucified; example of the work, the Cross; reward of the work, Resurrection. He shewed us in the Cross what we ought to endure, He shewed in the Resurrection what we have to hope. Just like a consummate task-master in the matches …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds

St. Malachy's Apostolic Labours, Praises and Miracles.
[Sidenote: 1140, October] 42. (23). Malachy embarked in a ship, and after a prosperous voyage landed at his monastery of Bangor,[576] so that his first sons might receive the first benefit.[577] In what state of mind do you suppose they were when they received their father--and such a father--in good health from so long a journey? No wonder if their whole heart gave itself over to joy at his return, when swift rumour soon brought incredible gladness even to the tribes[578] outside round about them. …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ci. Foretelling his Passion. Rebuking Ambition.
(Peræa, or Judæa, Near the Jordan.) ^A Matt. XX. 17-28; ^B Mark X. 32-45; ^C Luke XVIII. 31-34. ^b 32 And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem [Dean Mansel sees in these words an evidence that Jesus had just crossed the Jordan and was beginning the actual ascent up to Jerusalem. If so, he was in Judæa. But such a construction strains the language. Jesus had been going up to Jerusalem ever since he started in Galilee, and he may now have still be in Peræa. The parable …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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