Psalms 75:1
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Psalm 75 is attributed to Asaph, suggesting origins in Israel's temple worship. The thanksgiving likely celebrates a specific divine deliverance, though the particular occasion is not specified. This ambiguity allowed the psalm to be used across various settings of divine intervention.
The "nearness" of God's name contrasted with pagan conceptions where deities were distant, requiring elaborate rituals to gain their attention. Israel's God was near—"what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?" (Deuteronomy 4:7). Yet this nearness was not automatic; it depended on God's gracious self-revelation and the people's faithful response.
The alternation between congregational speech (verse 1), divine speech (verses 2-5), and prophetic declaration (verses 6-10) suggests liturgical use. Different voices or sections of the congregation may have recited different portions, creating responsive worship that reinforced communal faith.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does the psalm repeat 'unto thee do we give thanks' twice?
- What does it mean for God's 'name' to be 'near,' and how do believers experience this nearness today?
- How do God's 'wondrous works' serve as evidence of His presence and character?
- What specific wondrous works in your own experience give you cause for thanksgiving?
Analysis & Commentary
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. This psalm of thanksgiving opens with emphatic repetition. The doubled "unto thee... do we give thanks" (hodinu... hodinu, הוֹדִינוּ... הוֹדִינוּ) intensifies the expression of gratitude. The Hebrew yadah (root of hodinu) means to praise, give thanks, confess—acknowledging God publicly for who He is and what He has done.
"For that thy name is near" (qarov shemekha, קָרוֹב שְׁמֶךָ) presents a theologically rich statement. God's "name" represents His revealed character, His reputation, His accessible presence. That His name is "near" (qarov) indicates availability, intimacy, readiness to act. In contrast to the complaint of Psalm 74 that God seemed distant, Psalm 75 celebrates His nearness.
"Thy wondrous works declare" (sipru nifle'otekha, סִפְּרוּ נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ) shows that God's mighty acts provide evidence of His nearness. Nifla'ot (wonders, marvelous deeds) refers to acts that inspire awe—works beyond human capability that reveal divine power. These works "declare" (saphar, to recount, tell) God's character. Creation, exodus, and providential deliverances all testify that God is not absent but actively present.