This stanza of Psalm 119 begins each line with the Hebrew letter “samekh.”  The psalmist decries the “double-minded” in the first verse.  This refers to those who claim to believe in God, but will not stay committed to Him and\or those whose faith is in low quantity and easily shaken.  Elijah spoke of these in 1 Kings 18:21 at his showdown with the prophets of Baal, asking the people “how long will you go limping between two different opinions?”  They wanted to believe in God but enjoy the sinfulness that life among Baal-worshipers afforded them.  James spoke of the double-minded as those who doubt or whose faith is not strong (James 1:5-8), saying they are unstable in all ways.

The directions to the choirmaster in the superscription of Psalm 75 say that it is to the tune of “Do not Destroy,” just as in Psalm 57.  It also says that it is a psalm og Asaph – a song.  Asaph was one of those in charge of David’s “service of song” in the Tabernacle (1 Chronicles 6:31-40).

The psalm appears to speak in the voice of the psalmist in parts and in that of God in others.  The picture painted is of an unstable world that totters, but it is God who keeps it steady – not the boastful and the wicked who believe in their hearts that they are in control of things.  All through the ages, there have been proud societies that are often evil and oppressive to the righteous and to the weak – those who are insolent, with “haughty neck.”  But the truth is in verses 7-8:

“but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.