The psalmist, praising God for his wondrous works, promiseth to judge uprightly, Ps. 75:1–3. Rebuking the proud and foolish with God’s providence, Ps. 75:4–8, pulleth them down, but exalteth the righteous, Ps. 75:9–10.

Of Asaph; as the author. Or, to or for Asaph; which may be put by way of opposition to the foregoing and general expression, to the chief Musician, which is here limited to and explained of Asaph. As Ps.

When I shall receive the congregation, to wit, the whole congregation, or body of thy people, to wit, all the tribes; which are now distracted and disordered by a civil war, which is a great hinderance to the administration of justice. Or, when I shall receive or obtain the appointment, i.e.

Dissolved; or, melted, consumed or destroyed; partly by the ill government of Saul and Ish-bosheth, and the great officers of state and war under them; and partly by intestine divisions and wars.

I said, with authority and command; I charged them. The fools, i.e. the wicked, as that is explained in the next clause. Deal not foolishly; desist from your impious and injurious practices, which shall not now go unpunished, as they have done.

Lift not up your horn on high; a metaphor from untamed and stiff-necked oxen, which will not bow their heads to receive the yoke, but lift up their heads and horns to avoid it. Or, against the High, i.e. against God, who is mentioned under this same title, Ps.

For though you envy and oppose my advancement, because I was but a poor shepherd, and of a mean family; yet you ought to know and consider what is notorious and visible in the world, that the dignities and sceptres of the world are not always disposed according to human expectations and…

The judge, to wit, the righteous Judge, and supreme Lord and Governor of all the kingdoms of the world, giving them to whomsoever he pleaseth. It is he who hath rejected Saul and his family, and put me in his stead. And who art thou that disputest with God, and resistest his declared will?

This verse is added, either, 1. As a reason or confirmation of the assertion, Ps. 75:7, and to show that God in removing one king to make way for another did not proceed in a way of absolute sovereignty, which yet he might have done, but in a way of justice and equity. Or, 2.

Declare, to wit, this great and glorious work of God, or the praises due unto God for it, as the next words imply.

The horns of the wicked; their honour and power, which they made an instrument of mischief to oppress good men. A metaphor from horned and mischievous beasts. I will cut off, when I shall be advanced to the throne, and have power and authority to do what now I can only desire and pray for.