Psalms 75:2

KJV

When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.

KJV (with Strong's)

When I shall receive {H3947}{H8799)} the congregation {H4150} I will judge {H8199}{H8799)} uprightly {H4339}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"At the time of my own choice, I will dispense justice fairly.

Berean Standard Bible

“When I choose a time, I will judge fairly.

American Standard Version

When I shall find the set time, I will judge uprightly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 75:2 is a profound divine declaration from God, asserting His sovereign intent to execute righteous judgment at an appointed time. It stands as a powerful counterpoint to human pride and arrogance, affirming that while earthly powers may rise and fall, the ultimate authority and perfect justice reside with the Lord, who will infallibly bring all things into proper alignment according to His divine schedule.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 75 is an Asaph psalm, a prophetic declaration that opens with a communal thanksgiving for God's wondrous works ([Psalm 75:1](/psalms/75-1 "Psalm 75:1 - Thanksgiving for God's Presence")). Immediately following this expression of gratitude, the psalm shifts to a direct divine pronouncement, with God Himself (or a divinely inspired speaker articulating God's words) declaring His intention to judge. This verse, [Psalm 75:2](/psalms/75-2 "Psalm 75:2 - God's Promise to Judge Uprightly"), initiates a section where God addresses the wicked, warning them against their arrogance and declaring that He holds the ultimate authority over all creation and its inhabitants. The subsequent verses reinforce this theme, explicitly stating that "God is the judge" ([Psalm 75:7](/psalms/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God is the Judge")), who exalts some and brings others low, ultimately breaking the power of the wicked and exalting the righteous.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of kingship and divine justice. In Israel, the king was seen as God's vice-regent, responsible for upholding justice and righteousness in the land. However, this verse, along with the broader psalm, elevates God as the supreme King and Judge, whose authority transcends any human monarch. It speaks to a cultural context where injustice was prevalent, and people yearned for a higher power to intervene. The concept of an "appointed time" (Hebrew: _mo'ed_) for assembly or judgment was significant in Israelite worship and legal proceedings, echoing the idea of a divine court where God would preside over the nations, ensuring perfect equity, unlike the often corrupt or biased human legal systems of the day.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological themes found throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, underscoring God's absolute control over history, human affairs, and the timing and execution of justice. He is not a passive observer but an active, righteous Judge who will intervene at His appointed moment. Related to this is the theme of **Appointed Time for Judgment**, highlighting that God's judgment is not arbitrary but proceeds according to His perfect timing and order, a concept reiterated in the New Testament concerning the final judgment ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Appointed a Day to Judge the World")). Finally, the declaration "I will judge uprightly" emphasizes **Righteous Governance**, a core attribute of God's character, assuring that His judgments are always fair, unbiased, and perfectly just, reflecting His inherent righteousness and contrasting sharply with the flawed human systems of justice often depicted in the wisdom literature and prophetic books.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Congregation (Hebrew, _mo'ed'_):** This versatile Hebrew word (מוֹעֵד) carries multiple meanings, including "appointed time," "assembly," "fixed feast," "meeting place," or "convocation." In the context of Psalms 75:2, it suggests a divinely ordained assembly or a set time when God assumes His judicial role. It implies a deliberate, orderly convocation where all things are brought before Him for judgment, emphasizing the systematic and purposeful nature of God's intervention rather than an impulsive act.
* **Uprightly (Hebrew, _meisharim'_):** The term (מֵישָׁרִים) signifies "straightness," "equity," "righteousness," or "fairness." It conveys the idea of judging with perfect impartiality, without bias or deviation from what is morally correct and just. This word reinforces the integrity of God's divine judgments, assuring that His decisions are always aligned with His perfect character and absolute truth, providing a stark contrast to the often crooked or partial judgments of humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When I shall receive the congregation":** This phrase signals a specific, divinely determined moment in time. The "I" refers to God Himself, asserting His sovereign prerogative. "Receive the congregation" implies taking His seat as the supreme Judge, gathering all relevant parties or circumstances before Him. It speaks to a future, certain event—a convocation or assembly where God will fully assume His judicial authority and bring His perfect order to bear on creation. It is not a passive waiting but an active, intentional act of taking charge.
* **"I will judge uprightly":** This is a direct, authoritative declaration of God's character and intention. The "I" again emphasizes God's personal involvement and commitment. "Judge uprightly" (מֵישָׁרִים, _meisharim_) means to judge with perfect equity, fairness, and righteousness. It assures that when God acts as Judge, His decisions will be without flaw, bias, or error, perfectly reflecting His inherent justice and moral perfection. This promise serves as both a comfort to the oppressed and a warning to the wicked, guaranteeing that true justice will ultimately prevail.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Personification**, as God is depicted speaking directly, taking on the active role of a human judge who "receives" an assembly and "judges." This anthropomorphic portrayal makes God's judicial function relatable and immediate. There is also an element of **Divine Fiat** or **Declaration**, as the statement is a direct, authoritative pronouncement from God, emphasizing His supreme power and unchallengeable will. Furthermore, the verse contains **Foreshadowing**, pointing to a future, certain event of divine judgment. Implicitly, there is also **Contrast**, setting God's perfect, upright judgment against the backdrop of human injustice and the arrogance of the wicked, which is a broader theme throughout [Psalm 75](/psalms/75 "Psalm 75 - God the Judge of All the Earth").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 75:2 is a cornerstone verse for understanding God's universal judicial role and the foundational nature of His justice. It asserts that God's governance of the world is not arbitrary or chaotic, but rooted in His perfect righteousness and executed with precise timing. This truth provides immense comfort to those who suffer injustice, assuring them that God sees and will act. Conversely, it serves as a solemn warning to the wicked, declaring the inevitability of a righteous reckoning. This divine promise undergirds the entire biblical narrative, from the covenant with Abraham to the prophetic visions of a new heavens and new earth, where righteousness will dwell.

* [Psalm 96:13](/psalms/96-13 "Psalm 96:13 - God Judges the World with Righteousness")
* [Isaiah 11:3-4](/isaiah/11-3-4 "Isaiah 11:3-4 - The Righteous Judgment of the Messiah")
* [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Appointed a Day to Judge the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers both profound comfort and a sobering warning. For the believer, it provides immense assurance that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including the pervasive injustices of the world. Even when evil seems to triumph or justice is delayed, we can rest in the knowledge that God, at His perfect "appointed time," will administer flawless, unbiased judgment. This truth encourages unwavering trust in His character and patient endurance, knowing that He sees, He knows, and He will act. For those who are not aligned with God's righteous ways, the verse serves as an urgent call to repentance. It declares that there will be an inevitable reckoning for all unrighteousness, and God's judgment will be executed without fail. This should prompt deep introspection and a turning toward God's righteous path, recognizing that His judgment is both certain and just, and His grace is available now.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's promise to "judge uprightly" comfort you in times when you experience or witness injustice?**
* **What does the phrase "When I shall receive the congregation" imply about God's timing and our patience?**
* **How does this verse challenge you to live a life that reflects God's righteousness, knowing that He will ultimately judge all things?**
* **In what ways does this declaration of God's perfect justice contrast with human systems of justice you observe in the world?**

### FAQ
**Who is speaking in this verse, and what does "receive the congregation" truly mean?**

Answer: While some interpretations might suggest a divinely appointed human king speaking on God's behalf, the overwhelming context of Psalm 75, particularly [Psalm 75:7](/psalms/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God is the Judge") which explicitly states "But God is the judge," strongly indicates that God Himself is the speaker in [Psalm 75:2](/psalms/75-2 "God's Promise to Judge Uprightly"). This emphasizes His ultimate, unchallenged judicial authority. The phrase "receive the congregation" (Hebrew: _mo'ed_) refers to God taking His seat as the supreme judge, assembling all things or all people before Him at an appointed, predetermined time. It signifies a deliberate, orderly convocation for the purpose of executing righteous judgment, not a spontaneous or arbitrary act. It's a divine court being convened, where God assumes full control to ensure perfect justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 75:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament often speaks of God as the Judge, the New Testament reveals that all judgment has been committed to the Son ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son is Judge")). Jesus is the one who "will judge uprightly," perfectly embodying the justice and righteousness of God. His first coming was not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")), yet His second coming will be precisely when He "shall receive the congregation"—the entire world—to execute righteous judgment. He will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords, with eyes like a flame of fire, to "judge and make war in righteousness" ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - The Rider on the White Horse, Judge and Warrior")). It is through Christ that God's promise of perfect justice will be fully realized, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 3:17

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time there for every purpose and for every work.

Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.

John 7:6

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

Acts 1:7

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Psalms 78:70

He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

Psalms 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

Psalms 102:13

Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.