Psalms 75 - Introduction

LXXV.

The note of despair in the last psalm is succeeded here by one of mingled expectancy and exultation. It is as if the pathetic question, “How long?” had suddenly and unexpectedly been answered by the appearance of a deliverer, sent, like one of the judges of old, exactly at the needful moment. East and west and south and north the eyes of Israel had been turned, and lo! in their midst is raised up one to save. No period in the history suits this attitude like the early days of the Asmonean successes, Mattathias and his sons are those whom God “setteth up.” The “horn” that is to be cut off is Antiochus Epiphanes, who in the Book of Daniel is described as “a little horn, which waxed exceeding great towards the south, and towards the east, and towards the pleasant land” (Daniel 8:9).

The psalm, whatever period produced it, is almost throughout inspired by the ancient song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2), but borrows its most prominent image, that of the cup of wrath, from the prophetic books. It is not, therefore, original, but, at the same time, is not wanting in lyric power, nor deficient in rhythm. It opens with a couplet of praise, and then, with an abruptness which gives a dramatic turn, introduces God pronouncing the restoration of right and order. At Psalms 75:6 the poet resumes in his own person, but concludes with another Divine utterance.

Title. — See titles Psalms 4, 57, 58