For Your Wondrous Works Declare that Your Name is Near

Part of this psalm appears to be written from God's point of view. God has responded to the previous requests by saying that he will judge in the proper time. Judgement would await the wicked. There is reference here to the horn which may perhaps mean crowns, and the kings who wear them.



Psalm 75
To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.”[a] A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

 1 We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
         For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.
       
 2 “When I choose the proper time,
         I will judge uprightly.
 3 The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved;
         I set up its pillars firmly.  Selah
       
 4 “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’
         And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn.
 5 Do not lift up your horn on high;
         Do not speak with a stiff neck.’”
       
 6 For exaltation comes neither from the east
         Nor from the west nor from the south.
 7 But God is the Judge:
         He puts down one,
         And exalts another.
 8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup,
         And the wine is red;
         It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;
         Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth
         Drain and drink down.
       
 9 But I will declare forever,
         I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
       
 10 “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,
         But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”

For I was Envious of the Boastful, When I saw the Prosperity of the Wicked

The psalmist confesses that although he knows that God is good, he has trouble knowing that the ungodly seem to have advantages. To him, it seemed like the ungodly can be fearless, has pride, have abundance on earth, they can speak wickedly against anyone on earth and against heaven. And he declares that he may have cleansed his heart in vain.

Finally the writer admits that all this has affected his heart and mind in a bad way. But he continues to depend on God, trusting that He will guide him. He knows that ultimately his best hope is with God and God will strengthen his heart, as he draws near to God.


Psalm 73
A Psalm of Asaph.

 1 Truly God is good to Israel,
         To such as are pure in heart.
 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
         My steps had nearly slipped.
 3 For I was envious of the boastful,
         When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
        
 4 For there are no pangs in their death,
         But their strength is firm.
 5 They are not in trouble as other men,
         Nor are they plagued like other men.
 6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
         Violence covers them like a garment.
 7 Their eyes bulge[a] with abundance;
         They have more than heart could wish.
 8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
         They speak loftily.
 9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
         And their tongue walks through the earth.
        
 10 Therefore his people return here,
         And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
 11 And they say, “How does God know?
         And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
 12 Behold, these are the ungodly,
         Who are always at ease;
         They increase in riches.
 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
         And washed my hands in innocence.
 14 For all day long I have been plagued,
         And chastened every morning.
        
 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
         Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
 16 When I thought how to understand this,
         It was too painful for me—
 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
         Then I understood their end.
        
 18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
         You cast them down to destruction.
 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
         They are utterly consumed with terrors.
 20 As a dream when one awakes,
         So, Lord, when You awake,
         You shall despise their image.
        
 21 Thus my heart was grieved,
         And I was vexed in my mind.
 22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
         I was like a beast before You.
 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
         You hold me by my right hand.
 24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
         And afterward receive me to glory.
        
 25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
         And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
 26 My flesh and my heart fail;
         But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
        
 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
         You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
         I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
         That I may declare all Your works.