◄ Psalm 75:3 ►
When the earth and all its dwellers quake, it is I who bear up its pillars. Selah
Study Bible
When the earth and all its dwellers quake
This phrase captures a moment of profound instability and fear. The Hebrew word for "quake" is "môg," which conveys a sense of melting or dissolving, suggesting a complete loss of stability. Historically, this could refer to times of great turmoil or judgment, when the very foundations of society seem to be crumbling. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the human experience of chaos and uncertainty, reminding believers that such times are inevitable in a fallen world. The imagery of the earth quaking is often used in Scripture to signify God's powerful intervention in human affairs, as seen in events like the giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19:18).

it is I who hold its pillars firm
Here, the focus shifts to God's sovereignty and sustaining power. The Hebrew word for "pillars" is "ammûd," which can refer to physical supports or metaphorically to the principles that uphold the world. In ancient architecture, pillars were essential for stability, and this imagery conveys God's role as the ultimate stabilizer of creation. The phrase "hold firm" underscores God's active involvement in maintaining order amidst chaos. This assurance is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God is depicted as the unchanging foundation (Psalm 46:1-3). For believers, this is a profound comfort, affirming that no matter how unstable the world becomes, God remains in control, upholding the moral and spiritual order.

Selah
This term, often found in the Psalms, is thought to be a musical or liturgical pause, inviting the reader or listener to reflect on what has just been said. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it serves as a moment to meditate on the truth of God's sovereignty and the assurance that He provides stability in a quaking world. In a broader scriptural context, "Selah" encourages believers to pause and consider the weight of God's promises and the reality of His presence in their lives. It is a call to trust and rest in the knowledge that God is the ultimate foundation, even when everything else seems to be falling apart.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as the one who sustains and stabilizes the earth amidst chaos.

2. Earth
Represents the world and its inhabitants, who are experiencing turmoil and instability.

3. Pillars
Symbolic of the foundational support that God provides to maintain order and stability in creation.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Control
In times of chaos and uncertainty, believers can find comfort in knowing that God is in control and upholds the world.

Stability in Faith
Just as God bears up the pillars of the earth, He provides stability in our lives when we place our trust in Him.

Reflecting on God's Power
The use of "Selah" invites us to pause and reflect on God's mighty power and His role as the sustainer of all creation.

Dependence on God
Recognizing our dependence on God for stability encourages humility and a deeper reliance on His strength and wisdom.

Encouragement in Trials
This verse serves as a reminder that no matter how much the world shakes, God’s support is unwavering and reliable.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as the one who "bears up its pillars" influence your perspective on current world events?

2. In what ways can you apply the concept of God’s stability to your personal life challenges?

3. How does the imagery of God upholding the earth's pillars enhance your understanding of His sovereignty?

4. Can you identify a time when you experienced God’s stabilizing presence in your life? How did it impact your faith?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 46 or Hebrews 1, reinforce the message of God’s sustaining power in Psalm 75:3?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 46:1-3
This passage also speaks of God as a refuge and strength, emphasizing His role in providing stability during times of upheaval.

Isaiah 33:6
Highlights God as the foundation of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge, reinforcing the idea of God as a stabilizing force.

Hebrews 1:3
Describes Christ as upholding all things by His powerful word, connecting to the theme of divine sustenance and order.
Sermons
God Behind NatureA. G. Brown.Psalm 75:3
Help Laid on One that is MightyS. Conway Psalm 75:3
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
Bear, Dissolved, Dwell, Establish, Established, Feeble, Firm, Firmly, Hold, Inhabitants, Melt, Melted, Myself, Pillars, Pondered, Quake, Selah, Steady, Support, Thereof, Totters
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 75:3

     4820   earthquake
     5443   pillars
     8666   praise, manner and methods

Psalm 75:2-4

     5793   arrogance

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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