Psalm 75
Wesley's Notes on the Bible
<or Song of Asaph.>> Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
75:1 Thy name - Thy self; art present with us, and ready to help.
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
75:2 Receive - The whole congregation, all the tribes.
The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
75:3 Dissolved - Or, destroyed; by intestine divisions and wars. I hear - I support it, by maintaining religion and justice, by setting up good magistrates, and encouraging good ministers, and good men, who are indeed the pillars of a nation.
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
75:4 I said - I charged them. Deal not - Desist from your practices. Lift not up - Do not carry yourselves scornfully and maliciously.
Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
75:5 Lift not - A metaphor from untamed oxen, which will not bow their heads to receive the yoke. Stiff neck - With pride and contempt.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
75:8 For - God is here compared to the master of a feast, who then used to distribute portions of meat and drink to the several guests. A cup - Of vengeance. Red - Such as the best wine of Judea was. Mixture - The wine is mingled not with water, but with strengthening and intoxicating ingredients. Dregs - The worst and most dreadful part of those tribulations. Shall wring - This dreadful draught was brought upon them by their own choice and wickedness.
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
75:9 Declare - The praises of God.
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
75:10 Horns - Their honour and power, which they made an instrument of mischief. Will - When I shall be advanced to the throne. But - Good men shall be encouraged and promoted.
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65]

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