God Gives Thanks
Study note
The people give thanks to God because his name is near and his wonderful deeds are known. God says he will judge with fairness when the appointed time comes.
1 We thank you, God. We give you our thanks, because your name is close to us. People everywhere tell stories about the wonderful things you have done. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
2 God says, "When the time I have chosen arrives, I will judge with complete fairness." When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
3 "Even when the earth shakes and everyone on it trembles, I am the one who holds its foundations steady. Selah." The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
God Is the Judge
Study note
God warns the arrogant not to boast. Promotion comes not from the east, west, or south — God alone is the judge who brings one down and lifts another up. He holds a cup of judgment for the wicked.
4 I tell the boastful, "Stop your bragging," and I tell the wicked, "Don't lift your horn in pride." I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
5 "Don't raise your horn up to the sky. Don't speak with a stiff, arrogant neck." Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
6 Being raised up does not come from the east or the west or the south. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 God alone is the judge. He brings one person down and lifts another person up. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
8 The Lord holds a cup in his hand, filled to the brim with foaming, spiced wine. He tips it and pours, and every wicked person on earth will drink it down to the very last drop. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
Praise to God
Study note
The psalmist vows to praise God forever. God will cut off the power of the wicked but raise up the strength of the righteous.
9 But I will keep proclaiming the God of Jacob forever. I will pour out songs of praise to him. But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 He will break off every horn of the wicked, but the horns of those who do right will be lifted high. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.