Psalms 75:4

I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:

I said {H559}{H8804)} unto the fools {H1984}{H8802)}, Deal not foolishly {H1984}{H8799)}: and to the wicked {H7563}, Lift not up {H7311}{H8686)} the horn {H7161}:

To the boastful I say, "Do not boast!"and to the wicked, "Don't flaunt your strength!

I say to the proud, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.

I said unto the arrogant, Deal not arrogantly; And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:

Context

Psalm 75 is a psalm of Asaph, a declaration of God's righteous judgment and sovereignty. It is set against a backdrop where wickedness seems to prevail, and arrogant individuals believe they are in control. In this Psalm, the psalmist speaks on behalf of God, issuing a direct warning to those who defy divine authority. Verse 4 is part of God's solemn address to those who are acting foolishly and arrogantly, asserting His ultimate rule over all the earth.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Warning: The "I said" in this verse refers to God speaking through the psalmist. It underscores God's active involvement in human affairs and His ultimate authority over all creation. He issues a clear warning to those who disregard His commands and live in rebellion.
  • Humility vs. Arrogance: The central imagery here is the "horn," which in biblical literature symbolizes strength, power, and dignity. To "lift up the horn" signifies pride, arrogance, and self-exaltation, often in defiance of God. This verse is a stern rebuke against such presumptuousness, reminding us that pride goes before destruction.
  • Folly and Wickedness: The verse addresses two distinct but related groups: "fools" and "wicked." "Fools" are those who live without regard for God's wisdom or moral principles, often acting impulsively and destructively. The "wicked" are those who actively oppose God's ways and pursue injustice. Both are commanded to cease their destructive and defiant behavior.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "lift not up the horn" is a powerful idiom. The Hebrew word for "horn" is qeren (קֶרֶן), which literally means a horn, like that of an animal. Metaphorically, it represents power, strength, and dignity. In this context, it speaks to self-exaltation and arrogant boasting. When used negatively, as here, it signifies a defiant display of one's own perceived strength or authority, often in opposition to God's reign. This imagery emphasizes the futility of human pride when confronted with divine power.

Practical Application

Psalm 75:4 serves as a timeless reminder that human arrogance and self-sufficiency are ultimately vain. It calls us to reflect on our own attitudes, challenging any inclination towards pride or defiance against God's will. For believers, it reinforces the importance of humility and reliance on God, knowing that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. For those who do not yet acknowledge God, it stands as a warning about the consequences of living foolishly and wickedly, asserting that God is indeed the ultimate Judge who will bring all actions to account, as further elaborated in Psalms 75:7.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 1:21

    Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These [are] the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up [their] horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

  • Proverbs 8:5

    O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

  • Psalms 89:17

    For thou [art] the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

  • Psalms 148:14

    He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; [even] of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

  • Psalms 82:2

    How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

  • Psalms 82:8

    Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

  • Psalms 94:8

    Understand, ye brutish among the people: and [ye] fools, when will ye be wise?

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