Monday, May 11, 2026

            Psalm 75 is a song.  We usually read it today but it could just as well be sung by Christians and churches everywhere.  Indeed, it was sung by ancient Israel as a worship song to the Lord centuries ago.  This psalm is only ten verses long but there is a curious word that we find in it more than once.  That word is “horns.”  We might think of an animal with horns or a car horn.  Neither one of those interpretations is right in this part of the Bible.  In Psalm 75, “horns” meant strength—specifically human strength.  In verses 4-5 we read, “To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.  Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’”  The message is do not flaunt your strength before the Lord in pride or arrogance.  We are not to make more of ourselves than we should.  We are not to think we are bigger and stronger than we really are.  When compared to the Lord, the One who created all things and parted the Red Sea, we are incredibly weak and frail.  We are to lean into humility and meekness—not pride, arrogance or our own strength.  We are to lean into the strength of the Lord as we seek to serve and honor Him. 
            Unfortunately, sin has been a reality in the world since the days of Adam and Eve and the early pages of the Bible.  We are sinners—you and me—and we need a Savior.  Our sinful state is one reason we are not to lift up our horns against heaven.  We come before the Lord in humility and repentance—seeking to be remade, redeemed and made new.  The Lord gave a final warning in the last verse of Psalm 75, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up” (verse 10).  The strength (horns) and deeds of the righteous will be lifted up and will endure.  This verse seems to be saying that God will multiply the strength of the humble.  He will amplify the strength of those who come to Him in contrition and gentleness. 
            Psalm 75 seems to present us with a choice.  We can be strong in our own eyes or we can be strong in the Lord’s eyes.  We can brag about our power and might or we can lean into God’s ways.  It can be hard to sing praises to God or to give thanks to God if we are consumed with elevating ourselves or pleading our case.  We often miss God if we are focused too narrowly or too tightly upon ourselves.  Only God belongs on the throne of the universe or the throne of your heart or mine. 
            You may remember that Satan’s fall from heaven originated in his pride and his selfish ambition to rise above the throne of God.  The prophet Isaiah recorded Satan’s fall in these words, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’  But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit” (Isaiah 14:13-15). 
            God does not delight in the proud or puffed up.  But He does delight in those who exalt Him and make much of His glory and ways.  Rather than showing off our horns, or strength, may we come before the Lord with empty hands and an empty heart to receive from the rich, bottomless well of His strength.  May we see ourselves as sheep in need of the Good Shepherd, as orphans in need of the loving Father and as sinners in need of the Savior. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  May we daily go to the Lord to draw from His strength and boundless might.  May we pray and live by the words of Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  To those who seek Him and His ways, the Lord makes this promise, “May the Lord give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4).  We enjoy this success when we allow our desires and plans to take second place to what the Lord has for us.  May our desires and plans increasingly give way to what He has for us.  Have a great Monday!