Psalms 75:7

Authorized King James Version

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But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהִ֥ים But God H430
אֱלֹהִ֥ים But God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 2 of 7
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
שֹׁפֵ֑ט is the judge H8199
שֹׁפֵ֑ט is the judge
Strong's: H8199
Word #: 3 of 7
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
זֶ֥ה H2088
זֶ֥ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 4 of 7
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
יַ֝שְׁפִּ֗יל he putteth down H8213
יַ֝שְׁפִּ֗יל he putteth down
Strong's: H8213
Word #: 5 of 7
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
וְזֶ֣ה H2088
וְזֶ֣ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 6 of 7
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
יָרִֽים׃ one and setteth up H7311
יָרִֽים׃ one and setteth up
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 7 of 7
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

Cross References

Luke 1:52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.Psalms 147:6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.Psalms 50:6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.John 15:16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.2 Samuel 6:21And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.1 Samuel 16:1And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.Psalms 58:11So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.1 Samuel 15:23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.1 Samuel 15:28And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.Galatians 1:15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

Analysis & Commentary

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. This central theological affirmation corrects human presumption about power and success. After warning against arrogant self-exaltation (verses 4-6), the psalmist declares that God alone determines who rises and falls.

"God is the judge" (Elohim shophet, אֱלֹהִים שֹׁפֵט) uses shaphat, meaning to judge, govern, vindicate, or execute justice. God's role as judge encompasses more than courtroom verdicts; He governs human affairs, determining outcomes according to His righteous will. This contrasts with human attempts to control destiny through power, manipulation, or self-promotion.

"He putteth down one, and setteth up another" (zeh yashpil vezeh yarim, זֶה יַשְׁפִּיל וְזֶה יָרִים) uses demonstrative pronouns ("this one... that one") to emphasize God's sovereign choice. Shaphel means to bring low, humble, abase; rum means to raise up, exalt, lift high. The verbs are active—God is the agent of both humiliation and exaltation. Human striving cannot guarantee success; divine sovereignty determines outcomes.

This verse echoes Hannah's song: "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up" (1 Samuel 2:6-7). The theology of divine sovereignty over human fortunes runs throughout Scripture.

Historical Context

The ancient world was intensely hierarchical. Kings, emperors, and nobles wielded power that seemed absolute. Yet Israel's faith insisted that behind human power stood divine sovereignty. Nebuchadnezzar learned this when God humbled him: "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Daniel 4:32).

The prophets frequently announced divine judgment on proud rulers. Isaiah 14 mocks the king of Babylon's fall from heaven. Ezekiel 28 prophesies against the prince of Tyre. The pattern is consistent: human pride invites divine humiliation; humble dependence on God leads to exaltation.

For Israel living under foreign domination—whether Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, or Roman—this doctrine provided hope. The current world order was not permanent. God who raised up empires could also bring them down. History was not random but governed by the divine Judge.

Questions for Reflection