It Is God Who Brings Down and Exalts

Psalm 75 consists of both human praise and a divine oracle. Their combination may be explained by a liturgical framework. The voice of a representative liturgist is apparent in the alternation between the opening “we give thanks” and the closing “I will sing praise” (v. 9). At issue is Yahweh’s judgment and who may “lift up one’s horn” (vv. 4–5, 10, a metaphor of one’s power and rank, illustrated esp. in 92:10).

75:1 Instead of reading we give thanks, however, we should probably translate, “we have given thanks” (within the Psalms, only here does this verb appear as a Hb. perfect). A liturgical context helps to make sense of this reference to past praise. The opening verse refers to psalms used earlier in the wider liturgy. The telling of Yahweh’s wonderf…