Psalm 75:5 - We Give Thanks, for Your Name is Near

Audio Bible

Context

We Give Thanks, for Your Name is Near
…4I say to the proud, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn. 5Do not lift up your horn against heaven or speak with an outstretched neck.’” 6For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert,…

Cross References

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”Isaiah 2:11-12
The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.Isaiah 10:33
Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled.Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.1 Samuel 2:3
Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.Isaiah 13:11
I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless.Jeremiah 50:31-32
“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. / The arrogant one will stumble and fall with no one to pick him up. And I will kindle a fire in his cities to consume all those around him.”Ezekiel 21:26
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted.Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.2 Chronicles 26:16
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

Exodus 32:9
And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:

Deuteronomy 31:27
For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

2 Chronicles 30:8
Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

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Psalm 75

Do not lift up your horn against heaven
The phrase "lift up your horn" is a metaphorical expression often used in the Bible to signify pride or self-exaltation. In ancient cultures, the horn was a symbol of strength and power, often associated with animals like bulls or rams. To "lift up" one's horn implies an act of defiance or arrogance. In the context of Psalm 75, this is a warning against human pride and rebellion against divine authority. The mention of "heaven" underscores the futility of opposing God, who is sovereign over all creation. This theme is echoed in other scriptures, such as 1 Samuel 2:3, where Hannah warns against arrogance, and in Daniel 4:37, where Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God's dominion after being humbled.

or speak with an outstretched neck.’”
The imagery of an "outstretched neck" conveys stubbornness and haughtiness. In biblical times, this expression would have been understood as a posture of defiance and pride, similar to a stiff-necked animal resisting guidance or control. This phrase serves as a caution against the arrogance that leads individuals to challenge God's authority. The concept of a "stiff neck" is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe the Israelites' rebellion, as seen in Exodus 32:9 and Deuteronomy 9:6. It highlights the danger of pride leading to spiritual downfall, a theme that resonates throughout scripture, including Proverbs 16:18, which warns that pride precedes destruction.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 75, Asaph was a prominent Levite musician appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle. His psalms often focus on God's justice and sovereignty.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the psalm was originally addressed, often warned against pride and self-exaltation in their relationship with God.

3. Heaven
Represents the divine realm and authority of God, against which human pride is futile.

4. The Horn
Symbolizes strength and power in biblical literature. In this context, it represents human pride and self-exaltation.

5. The Wicked
Those who oppose God and His ways, often characterized by pride and arrogance.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Pride
Pride is a significant barrier to a right relationship with God. It leads to self-reliance and a rejection of God's authority.

God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is sovereign over all creation. Human strength and power are insignificant compared to His divine authority.

Humility as a Virtue
Embrace humility as a key Christian virtue. It aligns us with God's will and opens us to His grace and guidance.

The Futility of Self-Exaltation
Understand that self-exaltation is ultimately futile. True exaltation comes from God alone, who lifts up the humble.

Living in Submission to God
Live a life of submission to God's will, acknowledging His authority in all areas of life. This leads to peace and fulfillment.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 75Psalm 75:10 mentions the cutting off of 'horns' of the wicked; does this figurative language conflict with a literal approach to interpreting biblical texts?Psalm 36:5 mentions God's love extending 'to the heavens'--how does this align with modern cosmological understanding of an expanding universe?Psalm 96:5 proclaims the Lord 'made the heavens,' so how does this fit with current cosmological theories such as the Big Bang and the vast timeline of cosmic evolution?Revelation 19:12 says Jesus has multiple crowns--how is this detail consistent with physical or metaphorical reality?

(5) Lift not up your horn.--The "horn" is a symbol of honour (Psalm 112:9); of strength (Micah 4:13; Deuteronomy 33:17). The figure is taken from horned animals. (See 1Samuel 2:1; 1Samuel 2:10.)

With a stiff neck.--Better, with the neck proudly or wantonly raised. . . .

Verse 5. - Lift not up your horn on high; speak not with a stiff neck. The phrase, "a stiff neck," common in the Pentateuch (Exodus 32:9; Exodus 33:3, 5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 9:6, 13; Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 31:27), is rare elsewhere. It expresses pride, arrogance, and obstinacy. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

lift up
תָּרִ֣ימוּ (tā·rî·mū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

your horn
קַרְנְכֶ֑ם (qar·nə·ḵem)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

against heaven
לַמָּר֣וֹם (lam·mā·rō·wm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4791: Altitude

or speak
תְּדַבְּר֖וּ (tə·ḏab·bə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

with an outstretched
עָתָֽק׃ (‘ā·ṯāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6277: Forward, arrogant

neck.’”
בְצַוָּ֣אר (ḇə·ṣaw·wār)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6677: The back of the neck

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