◄ Psalm 75:7 ►
but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.
Study Bible
but it is God who judges
The phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and ultimate authority of God in matters of judgment. The Hebrew word for "judges" is "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), which means to govern, to vindicate, or to punish. This word is often used in the context of God’s righteous and fair judgment. In the historical context of ancient Israel, judges were leaders appointed by God to deliver and guide His people. This phrase reassures believers that God is the ultimate judge, whose decisions are just and beyond human understanding. It serves as a reminder that human judgment is fallible, but God’s judgment is perfect and final.

He brings one down
This part of the verse speaks to the humbling power of God. The Hebrew root "שָׁפֵל" (shaphel) means to abase or to bring low. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of God humbling the proud and those who exalt themselves, such as Pharaoh in the Exodus narrative or King Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel. This phrase serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance, encouraging believers to remain humble and dependent on God’s will. It reflects the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

and exalts another
In contrast to bringing down the proud, God also has the power to lift up the humble. The Hebrew word "רוּם" (rum) means to raise or to elevate. This reflects God’s ability to change circumstances and elevate those who are lowly or oppressed. Scriptural examples include Joseph, who was raised from a prisoner to a ruler in Egypt, and David, who was lifted from shepherd boy to king. This phrase offers hope and encouragement to believers, affirming that God sees their struggles and has the power to change their situation according to His divine plan. It underscores the biblical truth that promotion and honor come from God alone.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as the ultimate judge who has the authority to bring down or exalt individuals according to His will.

2. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to Asaph, the Psalmist is the one who communicates this truth about God's sovereignty and justice.

3. The Exalted and the Humbled
These are the individuals or groups whom God chooses to raise up or bring down, illustrating His control over human affairs.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is the ultimate authority over all human affairs. His judgments are perfect and just, and He alone has the power to exalt or humble.

Humility Before God
Embrace humility, understanding that any position or status we hold is by God's grace. We should not seek self-exaltation but trust in God's timing and purpose.

Trust in Divine Justice
In times of injustice or when witnessing the exaltation of the unrighteous, trust that God is the righteous judge who will ultimately set things right.

Contentment in God's Plan
Find peace in knowing that God’s plan is perfect. Whether we are in a season of being brought low or lifted high, God’s purpose is being fulfilled.

Prayer for Wisdom
Seek God's wisdom to understand His will and to respond appropriately to His exaltation or humbling in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's role as the ultimate judge influence your perspective on current events or personal circumstances?

2. In what ways can you practice humility in your daily life, trusting in God's timing for exaltation?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt either exalted or humbled by God. How did that experience shape your faith and understanding of His sovereignty?

4. How can the examples of God's sovereignty in Daniel 2:21 and 1 Samuel 2:7 encourage you in situations where you feel powerless?

5. What practical steps can you take to align your ambitions and desires with God's will, ensuring that you seek His exaltation rather than self-promotion?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel 2:21
This verse echoes the theme of God's sovereignty over human affairs, emphasizing that He changes times and seasons, deposes kings, and raises up others.

1 Samuel 2:7
Hannah's prayer reflects a similar sentiment, acknowledging that the Lord makes poor and rich, brings low, and exalts.

James 4:10
This New Testament verse encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord, who will then lift them up, aligning with the theme of divine exaltation and humility.
Sermons
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
Divine Promotions Through Divine ProvidencesR. Tuck Psalm 75:6, 7
Getting OnA. K. H. Boyd, D. D.Psalm 75:6-7
People
Asaph, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Brings, Exalteth, Exalts, Executes, Judge, Judgment, Lifteth, Lifting, Lifts, Low, Maketh, Puts, Putteth, Putting, Setteth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 75:7

     1310   God, as judge

Psalm 75:6-7

     1305   God, activity of
     5267   control

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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