Psalms

Psalms 75: God judges at His appointed time

Begin in prayer

Before we hear God's answer to proud boasting, let us bring our desire for honour before Him. Let us seek the humility of Christ and entrust our desire for honour to the Judge who chooses the time.

He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Daniel 2:21

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God judges at His appointed time and gives the righteous the honour they cannot seize for themselves. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Asaph's song gives repeated thanks because God's name is near and His wonderful works are being told. God declares that He chooses the time for blameless judgment and holds the earth's pillars when its inhabitants quake. He warns the arrogant against boasting and lifting their strength against Him. Exaltation comes from God the Judge, who puts down one person and lifts another. A cup in the LORD's hand pictures the judgment the wicked must drink to its last dregs. The singer promises lasting praise to the God of Jacob, with wicked power cut down and the righteous lifted up.

As you read Psalms 75, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God upholds the earth and judges at His appointed time, bringing down the proud and lifting the righteous.

Thanksgiving begins with God's name near to His people, known through the wonderful works they tell. God's own speech answers the threat of proud power by declaring that He chooses judgment's appointed time and judges without fault. The earth's quaking pillars picture a world that seems to be falling apart, yet God Himself firmly upholds it. A lifted horn pictures the strength of an animal raising its head, used here for arrogant power boasting against its Maker. The warning against a stiff neck names the stubborn pride that refuses to bow before His authority. Honour comes from no direction of the earth (verse 6), for God the Judge puts down one person and lifts up another. The foaming cup of spiced wine pictures the wrath God has measured for the wicked, who must drain even its bitter dregs. Their raised horns will be cut off, so the power they boast in cannot keep them standing when He judges. The righteous receive their honour from Him, giving the singer reason to keep declaring the greatness of the God of Jacob.

How does Psalm 75 show us that God upholds the earth and judges at His appointed time, bringing down the proud and lifting the righteous?

God chooses the time to judge and upholds the trembling earth.

The world may seem to shake while proud people grow confident. God declares that its pillars depend on Him. His blameless judgment comes at the time He appoints.

God brings down arrogant power and lifts the righteous.

The proud lift their horns as though strength could win them honour before God. The Judge alone decides who is brought down and who is raised. His wrath will be fully poured out, while the righteous receive the honour He gives.

Memorise

But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another.

Psalm 75:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I trying to lift myself up instead of trusting Jesus?

Asaph confesses, “God is the judge.” The proud cannot appoint their own rise, and God's cup of judgment will be drained. His people give thanks to the One who holds the earth steady and chooses the hour.

We have added our own boasting to the rebellion the holy Judge condemns. Jesus died for His people, bearing the punishment their pride and disobedience deserved. God raised Him from the grave. His completed saving work pays in full for His people, and the Judge who lifts the righteous receives them.

Turn from your pride and place your trust in Jesus. He forgives all who come to Him for mercy. Confess the honour you have tried to seize, and ask Him for faith to wait under His wise rule. The Judge's righteous timing and verdict give believers reason for thanks even while the world shakes around them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God judges at His appointed time and gives the righteous the honour they cannot seize for themselves. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He upholds the earth and judges without fault at the time He chooses. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.

John 8:50

Righteous Judge, please forgive our pride and lead us to trust Jesus for mercy. Thank You for upholding the world when it seems to shake. Teach Your people to wait for Your wise timing and leave their honour in Your hands. Bring down wicked power, defend the righteous and fill our homes with thanksgiving for Your faithful rule. Amen.