A Leader’s Commitment

Psalm 75:1-10

“To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.

The traditional title means “Thou Shall Not Destroy.”

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. “ (Psalm 75:1)

Everywhere we look there is evidence of God’s power and his care for us.  As Romans 1:20 says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  People who are observant can hardly help being thankful and praising him for the things they see in nature.    

“When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.  The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.” (Psalm 75:2-3)

Though tradition credits this song to Asaph, It appears David is speaking, before he had been made king over all Israel.  When he is crowned as their king, he promises to Judge in a proper manner, being fair to everyone involved.   God’s intention was for each person to be individually responsible for their own actions.  Israel chose to have a king to take the responsibility for them, and had chosen Saul to be their king.  This had led to a vast turning away from God.  David saw himself as responsible for teaching them to obey God and setting an example, just as pastors and teachers today are supposed to do.   

“I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.  For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.   But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:4-7)

He has warned the foolish to think about what they are doing and understand the consequences of their actions.  He warns the wicked not to get like a young bull proudly taking on everyone around in an effort to show his strength.  Real promotion doesn’t come from earthly power but from God.  God is the one who decides who will succeed or fail. 

“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.” (Psalm 75:8)

When grapes were squeezed by people stomping them in the wine press, the liquid was delicious and pure, but many times the dregs, what might remain in the bottom of the cup would have dead insect bodies , leaves and whatever the people treading out the grapes might have on their feet.  Those who please God will receive the pure juice, but the wicked will have to wring out all those things that settled to the bottom in an effort to get a little juice, al little pleasure. 

“But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.  All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.” (Psalm 75:9-10)

David is committed to keep the focus on God, constantly praising him.  He will dehorn all the wicked who try to show off their power, taking away their power, but those who do what is right will be promoted and encouraged.    

It is easy for leaders to blame their followers for the problems, but the leaders set the tone for the organization or nation.  If they are not doing what the leader thinks they should, he needs to look at his own behavior, especially if he has been there more than a year or so.