Psalms 75:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 75:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I said unto the arrogant, Deal not arrogantly; And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I said unto the arrogant, Deal not arrogantly; And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
Psalms 75:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 75

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4I said unto the arrogant, Deal not arrogantly; And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I said unto the fools, etc.] To the vain gloriosos, proud boasters, mockers, and scoffers at the day of judgment, and burning of the world: deal not foolishly; by glorying in themselves, boasting of their riches, and trusting in them; singing a requiem to themselves on account of their abundance, and by putting away the evil day far from them: and to the wicked, lift not up the horn; of power, grandeur, and wealth, and use it to the injury of others; or be so elated with it as to look with disdain on others; or imagine they shall always continue in this exalted state, as antichrist the horned beast does, (<661807>Revelation 18:7), the allusion is to horned beasts, particularly harts, which…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I said unto the fools - To the wicked people in rebellion. Folly and wickedness in the Bible are synonymous terms, as they are identical in fact. See the notes at Psalms 14:1. Deal not foolishly - Act not foolishly; carry not out your wicked plans. Do not pursue your schemes of wickedness and folly, for they cannot be successful, and they will only tend to involve you in ruin. And to the wicked - The wicked people engaged in rebellion - either against a lawful human government, or against God. Lift not up the horn - The horn is a symbol of strength. Compare Job 16:15; Daniel 7:7-8, Daniel 7:11, Daniel 7:21; Daniel 8:5, Daniel 8:8-9, Daniel 8:21. This is to be understood as the language of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I said - I charged them. Deal not - Desist from your practices. Lift not up - Do not carry yourselves scornfully and maliciously. Psalms 75:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“75:4-5 The wicked arrogantly defy the heavens—the dwelling place of God. Through their boasting they insist that they are wiser than God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I said: Psa 82:2-8, Psa 94:8; Pro 1:22, Pro 8:5, Pro 9:6 Lift: Psa 89:17, Psa 148:14; Dan 7:20, Dan 7:21; Zac 1:21 Psalms 75:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification