Psalms 75 <<AL TASCHITH>>: This can mean in Hebrew, "Do not destroy". The Mairi says this Psalm speaks of the Era just before the Messianic One when trouble and tribulation will increase. God is asked to stop the killing. After this request there follows a plea for the in gathering of the Exiles and a predicted punishment of the evildoers who oppress Israel. [Psalms 75:1] UNTO THEE, O GOD, DO WE GIVE THANKS, UNTO THEE DO WE GIVE THANKS: FOR THAT THY NAME IS NEAR THY WONDROUS WORKS DECLARE. The Radak relates this Psalm to the future Ingathering of Exiles. [Psalms 75:2] WHEN I SHALL RECEIVE THE CONGREGATION I WILL JUDGE UPRIGHTLY. [Psalms 75:3] THE EARTH AND ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF ARE DISSOLVED: I BEAR UP THE PILLARS OF IT. SELAH. When the Israelites take vengeance on their enemies the rest of the Earth's inhabitants will be be frightened and "dissolve". They will then realize that the Almighty decides how the world is run (Radak) and how it is supported by "pillars" meaning natural laws. [Psalms 75:4] I SAID UNTO THE FOOLS, DEAL NOT FOOLISHLY: AND TO THE WICKED, LIFT NOT UP THE HORN: <<FOOLS>> Hebrew: "Holalim". This is from a root "halel" that can connote "light, bright, praise, boast". A lot of evil really is foolishness and a vain pretence to seek satisfaction whilst knowing that it will not be found. Fools lie to themselves and to others and do bad deeds that not harm everybody. I was once crossing Zion Square in the center of Jerusalem when a group of young people with placards seemed to rush up beside me, stop, and stand there. They were self-declared homosexuals and lesbians holding a "demonstration". Normally I would ignore such types and hurry away so as not to even be seen anywhere near them. This time however it was as if they had jumped up out of nowhere right in front of me. I looked briefly into the eyes of two of the boys. My impression was of incredible weakness and loss. They seemed to have been deluded and realize it. There was a girl standing in my path holding a sign saying "To be a free people in our country" which was one of the early slogans of Zionism. I asked her what the pertinence of the sign was and she said they wanted to do what they liked when they liked. I then asked if that was not what they do anyway and she did not reply. These people may be victims more than perpetrators but they should not be pitied since their aim is to bring others down with them instead of redeeming themselves like they could do if they so wished. [Psalms 75:5] LIFT NOT UP YOUR HORN ON HIGH: SPEAK NOT WITH A STIFF NECK. [Psalms 75:6] FOR PROMOTION COMETH NEITHER FROM THE EAST, NOR FROM THE WEST, NOR FROM THE SOUTH. [Psalms 75:7] BUT GOD IS THE JUDGE: HE PUTTETH DOWN ONE, AND SETTETH UP ANOTHER. [Psalms 75:8] 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. God will take revenge on the enemies of Israel. This is spoken of by the other Prophets, e.g. WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH FROM EDOM, WITH DYED GARMENTS FROM BOZRAH? THIS THAT IS GLORIOUS IN HIS APPAREL, TRAVELLING IN THE GREATNESS OF HIS STRENGTH? I THAT SPEAK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, MIGHTY TO SAVE [Isaiah 63:1]. WHEREFORE ART THOU RED IN THINE APPAREL, AND THY GARMENTS LIKE HIM THAT TREADETH IN THE WINEFAT? [Isaiah 63:2] I HAVE TRODDEN THE WINEPRESS ALONE; AND OF THE PEOPLE THERE WAS NONE WITH ME: FOR I WILL TREAD THEM IN MINE ANGER, AND TRAMPLE THEM IN MY FURY; AND THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE SPRINKLED UPON MY GARMENTS, AND I WILL STAIN ALL MY RAIMENT [Isaiah 63:3]. FOR THE DAY OF VENGEANCE IS IN MINE HEART, AND THE YEAR OF MY REDEEMED IS COME [Isaiah 63:4]. AND I LOOKED, AND THERE WAS NONE TO HELP; AND I WONDERED THAT THERE WAS NONE TO UPHOLD: THEREFORE MINE OWN ARM BROUGHT SALVATION UNTO ME; AND MY FURY, IT UPHELD ME [Isaiah 63:5]. AND I WILL TREAD DOWN THE PEOPLE(S) IN MINE ANGER, AND MAKE THEM DRUNK IN MY FURY, AND I WILL BRING DOWN THEIR STRENGTH TO THE EARTH [Isaiah 63:6]. I WILL MENTION THE LOVINGKINDNESSES OF THE LORD, AND THE PRAISES OF THE LORD, ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE LORD HATH BESTOWED ON US, AND THE GREAT GOODNESS TOWARD THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, WHICH HE HATH BESTOWED ON THEM ACCORDING TO HIS MERCIES, AND ACCORDING TO THE MULTITUDE OF HIS LOVINGKINDNESSES[Isaiah 63:7] . [Psalms 75:9] BUT I WILL DECLARE FOR EVER; I WILL SING PRAISES TO THE GOD OF JACOB. The God of Israel is the Almighty. There is no other. God is the God of Israel. The Almighty makes Himself known to the world through HIS dealings with Israel. [Psalms 75:10] ALL THE HORNS OF THE WICKED ALSO WILL I CUT OFF; BUT THE HORNS OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE EXALTED. |