but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as God simply intervening in major historical events, but the verse highlights God's direct, personal action in both humbling and exalting individuals. This isn't just about nations rising and falling; it's about God personally initiating the downfall of one and the elevation of another, making His judgment intimate and specific.
but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm begins with thanksgiving and praise, but quickly shifts as a divine oracle declares that judgment is coming, set at God's appointed time to correct corruption and oppression. This divine word is followed by the psalmist's own warnings to the arrogant and foolish, urging them to cease their boasting. Verse 7 then explains the reason for these warnings: God alone holds the ultimate authority to judge and to determine the rise and fall of individuals and nations.
Ever feel like God's timing is off? Or that injustice goes unchecked for too long?
Psalm 75 speaks of God's deliberate timing in judgment. The verse implies that God has a 'set time' for His interventions. This isn't about arbitrary power, but about a divine appointment for justice to be served.
The Purpose of Delay
This understanding helps us resist impatience when suffering injustice and deters oppressors who might dream of impunity.
Who's really in charge? When leaders fall and new ones rise, who's pulling the strings?
The core of Psalm 75:7 is the declaration that 'God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.' This isn't just about nations or kings, but about His ultimate authority over all human affairs.
God's Ultimate Authority
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This truth should humble those in power and comfort those who are oppressed, reminding us that ultimate authority rests with God.
Understand the original words
elohim · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word for "God" in this context refers to the supreme, sovereign Creator and Judge of the universe who exercises authority over all nations and individuals. It emphasizes His role as the ultimate arbiter of human destiny.
shaphat · Hebrew Verb
In a theological context, this refers to the act of rendering a verdict or decision, often involving divine justice, retribution against the wicked, or the vindication of the righteous. It is a fundamental function of God as the King and Judge of the earth.
Psalm 75 likely reflects on God's decisive intervention in history, particularly the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege. It speaks to God's ultimate authority over kings and nations, raising up and casting down as He sees fit.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem. The Assyrians boasted they would conquer the city.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
An angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw his army and return to Nineveh. Jerusalem was miraculously saved.
Post-Exilic Period (after 539 BC)
Return from Babylonian Exile
After decades in exile, many Judeans were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple and city under Persian rule. This marked a restoration of God's people.
c. 167-142 BC
Maccabean Revolt
Judea rebelled against the Seleucid Empire after religious persecution and desecration of the Temple. This was a struggle for religious and political freedom.
Hannah's prayer beautifully echoes this theme, proclaiming, 'The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and brings up. He makes poor and makes rich; he humbles and he exalts.' This passage directly parallels the idea of God's sovereign power in both lifting up and bringing down individuals and circumstances.
Daniel 2:21The book of Daniel repeatedly highlights God's ultimate authority over earthly kingdoms, a concept central to Psalm 75:7. Daniel declares, 'He changes times and seasons; he dethrones kings and he appoints kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.' This shows God actively intervening in the rise and fall of nations.
Isaiah 33:22This verse also presents God as the ultimate judge and ruler, stating, 'For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.' This reinforces the idea of God's supreme authority not just in judgment, but in establishing order and salvation.
Romans 9:16-18Paul discusses God's sovereignty in salvation and judgment, explaining, 'So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then he is not the one who wills or the one who runs, but God who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “To this end I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.' This passage speaks directly to God's sovereign choice in exalting or humbling individuals and nations for His purposes.
expositorsPsalms 75:1-10: "To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare."
Psalm 75:1-10 THIS psalm deals with the general thought of God’s judgment in history, especially on heathen nations. It has no clear marks of connection with any particular instance of that judgment. The prevalent opinion has been that it refers, like the next psalm, to the destruction of Sennacheri…
calvinPsalms 75:1-7: "<or Song of Asaph.>> Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare."
- We will praise thee, O God! we will praise thee: and [245] thy name is near: they will declare [or recount [246] ] thy wondrous works. 2. When I shall have taken the congregation, [247] I will judge righteously. [248] 3. The earth is dissolved, and all its inhabitants: I will establish [249] the pillars of it. 4. I said to the fools, Ac…
It's easy to read this as God simply intervening in major historical events, but the verse highlights God's direct, personal action in both humbling and exalting individuals. This isn't just about nations rising and falling; it's about God personally initiating the downfall of one and the elevation of another, making His judgment intimate and specific.
The psalm begins with thanksgiving and praise, but quickly shifts as a divine oracle declares that judgment is coming, set at God's appointed time to correct corruption and oppression. This divine word is followed by the psalmist's own warnings to the arrogant and foolish, urging them to cease their boasting. Verse 7 then explains the reason for these warnings: God alone holds the ultimate authority to judge and to determine the rise and fall of individuals and nations.
The psalm begins with thanksgiving and praise, but quickly shifts as a divine oracle declares that judgment is coming, set at God's appointed time to correct corruption and oppression. This divine word is followed by the psalmist's own warnings to the arrogant and foolish, urging them to cease their boasting. Verse 7 then explains the reason for these warnings: God alone holds the ultimate authority to judge and to determine the rise and fall of individuals and nations.
"but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another." — It's easy to read this as God simply intervening in major historical events, but the verse highlights God's direct, personal action in both humbling and exalting individuals. This isn't just about na…
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Last reviewed October 2026