The righteous shall be lifted up (Psalm 75:10, ESV).
Psalm 75 has a clear focus—we can trust God or self.
The phrase “lifted up” is used five times in Psalm 75. In Hebrew, it is associated with arrogance that leads to trouble or with humility that elevates God and leads to blessing.
I say to the boastful, “Do not boast,” and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high or speak with haughty neck” (vv. 4-5).
Those who follow God boast in the Lord, while others boast in their success. How can we discern which side of the boasting line we are on—either boasting in self or boasting in God?
By how we remember the past.
Those who boast in God praise Him no matter the difficulty of current trials.
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds (v. 1).
Those who boast in self will sooner or later become bitter and complain about the goodness of God. They sought a god (self) that didn’t fulfill its promises while forsaking the God of promise.
And instead of repentance, they blame God.
For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another (vv. 6-7).
When we lift up self, we find judgment. This judgment isn’t from a God who feels slighted but from our actions imploding in consequence of our decisions.
But those who seek God, even in trouble, find reasons to continue boasting in God!
But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob (v. 9).
As we read Psalm 75, let’s consider the Apostle Paul’s thoughts on boasting…
God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God (1 Corinthians 1:28-29, NLT).
Can anyone boast to God? No! Instead, we realize…
Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
Amen. Peace out!