Temple Baptist Church - 1-12-2025
Psalm 75
Introduction:
A. The writer of the Psalm was Asaph. He wrote 12 of the Psalms: 50 and 73-83. He was the man appointed to be over the worship of the Tabernacle during the reign of King David and King Solomon in Solomon’s Temple. He led the worship service by leading the singing, heading up the instruments used and the people who played them, along with being a song writer.
B. Psalm 75 is a Psalm of praise and anticipation of deliverance. The title of the Psalm gives an interesting word, “Altaschith” – Al-tas-chith, which means “to not destroy.”
C. Though there is no specific background stated in this Psalm, it smells or perpetual trouble from the wicked and lack of relief or release for the godly. Our God will not allow the wicked to destroy His people!
1. Jacob said that his life was of few days and full of troubles.
2. David, a man after God’s own heart, lived on the run before he ascended to the throne of Israel and, even then, had to run for his life during the reign of Absalom.
3. Job certainly had “his plate full” along with the Old Testament prophets.
4. The New Testament was not much better as John the Baptist, Paul, and most of the disciples were rejected and martyred.
5. They crucified our Lord. I know that they had to have His permission as the cross was the purpose for His coming.
6. From the blood of righteous Abel to the Tribulation saints, the people of God have suffered and waited long for deliverance. Just read Hebrews, chapter 11.
D. As time advances, we look around at the wickedness of this present evil world and it shocks our mortal being.
1. As I talk with people, the older generation is sickened at what is going on and so am I. My heart cries, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
2. The world is blinded by the “god of this world,” but still suffer the consequences of rampant sin and rejection of God.
3. We are both a vanishing and dying generation who were born and raised in days of morality and integrity. The newer generations embrace these last days because they have no morality or integrity.
4. This Psalm was written during a dark period of Israel’s history when enemies surrounded them.
E. This Psalm instructs us in the hard places of life to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice!”
F. Let’s break the Psalm down into its parts.
Verse 1. God is Sovereign in His Person. The Psalmist sees the works of a Sovereign God. Asaph Worships. The words “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks” is repeated in “unto thee d0 we give thanks.” The repetition shows sincerity, fervency, and constancy. This worship is based upon three things: Who God is, Where God is, and What God can do.
a. Who God is. “O God” “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.”
1) Moses asked to SEE the glory of God. Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
2) The Glory of God was found in His name. Exodus 34:5-6 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. (6) And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
3) “The LORD, the LORD God” The Sovereign Potentate of the Universe. “I AM THAT I AM” is the proper biblical expression of the Person of God. Eternal, Omnipotent, and self-existing. Available to all who call upon Him.
b. Where God is. “for that thy name is near”
1) God’s name was near Moses. “And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there,”
2) God is Omnipresent and touchable. He is near to all who call upon Him. We do not have to go looking for God as Job did in Job, chapter 23. His name is near as He is Here!
c. What God can do. “thy wondrous works declare.” The limitless power of God and the infinite wisdom of God are found in His creation of the heavens and the earth. God Can and God still can. God’s works declare His wonder!
1) Moses saw God’s spiritual work that day. “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” We too have seen God’s spiritual work.
2) We can also see God’s physical work. Psalms 19:1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
3) Just look around tonight. What a wonderful world we live in. Perfect in its design and the function and unity of all its parts. Look at His heavens that declare the Glory of God. What a magnificent, perfectly designed heaven He gave us to behold. Look up in the dark on a cloudless night and what you see will speak to you of the glory of its Creator.
Verses 2-3. God is Sovereign in His Power. A pronouncement that God is in control. A time of God’s judgment set when God will judge the wicked. God cannot be hurried and has a set time for His righteous judgments.
a. Asaph realizes that God is still on His throne and will ultimately bring about the righteous judgement of the wicked. I think that it is essential that this generation understand that there is a God in heaven and judgement is going to soon be a reality.
b. Asaph is thanking God in advance for what He will do in His time. I liken this to asking God for some specific thing and, along with the request, bowing to the will of God.
c. If God choses to do something in a different way or choses not to give us our request, thanking Him anyway.
d. Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Verses 4-7. God is Sovereign in His Purpose.
Verses 4-5. A warning to the disobedient and proud. The Foolishness of man.
a. The Fool’s Pride. Fools think and act foolishly. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
b. The Wicked’s Powerlessness. Stiff necked is the term for absolute rebellion against truth. A dismissal of authority. God is all power and man has no power.
Verses 6-7. God’s Power in Promotion. God controls the affairs of men.
a. Promotions of individuals. God can elevate men to positions of power and wealth according to His will.
b. Promotions of governments. God can elevate men to positions of power in Government. Daniel 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
c. God is setting up this world for the ultimate judgment in the end-time.
Verses 8. God is Sovereign in His Punishment. The “cup” of the LORD symbolizes the wrath and judgment of God. The declaration of a Righteous Judge.
a. God will administer His judgment in His time and His way as He “pours” it out. It is “red” and it is a “mixture.” The multiple ways that God judges. The wicked will get the judgment that they deserve.
b. The dregs: the residue, the trash, the remains. The bitterness of God’s wrath. Often, when drinking coffee, with just a gulp left the dregs become visible. Look into the cup and see the remaining coffee grounds. While drinking the coffee, we are not aware of what remains in the bottom of the cup.
c. One day, the unsaved will see and experience the bitterness of God’s wrath.
Verses 9-10. God is Sovereign in His Praise. Both saved and lost will be righteously rewarded. The saved will rejoice when that day comes.
a. The Praise of His People. Asaph ends the Psalm with the same Praise. The ongoing praise of God’s people.
b. The Perishing of His Enemies.
c. God is a righteous Being who will not forget the righteous nor will He excuse the unrighteous.
d. Asaph is not thanking God because his troubles are gone as they are still present. He is thanking God in the midst of his problems know that God has never been defeated and will never let him down.
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