The uplifting God.
Such is the theme of this psalm. This we gather from the frequent repetition of the word "uplift." Like the repeated clear strokes of a boll, it reverberates through the psalm. In Psalms 75:4 the wicked are bidden "lift not up the horn," as doth the fierce bull that, in the pride of his might, tosses his horns defiantly against all comers. Let them not boast themselves in their fancied strength. And Psalms 75:5 repeats this warning, and Psalms 75:6 tells them that "uplifting"—"promotion," our Authorized Version reads it, but it is the same word all through—is neither from the east, nor the west, nor south, but—so Psalms 75:7 tells them—God is the Judge; he putteth down one and "lifts up" another,—again the same word. And then once more in Psalms 75:10 God declares that the strength, "the horns," of the righteous shall be lifted up. Thus over and over again this emphatic word and keynote of the psalm is heard. And this gracious dealing of God with his people is the ground of the earnest thanksgiving with which the psalm opens; and it is the "Name" of God which it asserts to be so "near," and which his wondrous works declare. As in Psalms 121:1-8, God's gracious keeping of his people is the theme, and hence the word "keep" is repeated all through the psalm. We do not know for certain when or by whom, or on what occasion, this psalm was written. It is like the song of Hannah echoed in the Magnificat of the mother of our Lord. Or it may celebrate one or all of David's many deliverances—how God had "uplifted him" out of all his troubles, and hence his vow of righteousness which in Psalms 121:2 and repeatedly, he declares. Or it may celebrate the "uplifting" of Judah and Hezekiah from the peril of Sennacherib. We do not know, nor does it matter. Severed as it is for us from all special circumstances, we are the better able to make application of it according to our individual need. Now, in the text we note—
I. ITS EXUBERANT THANKSGIVING. The writer's heart was full.
1. He repeats his thanksgiving. It is as if he felt himself unable to tell out all his gratitude; as if he had said, "Yea, Lord, unto thee do we give thanks; yea, we do."
2. And it arises from many hearts, not one alone. It is "we," not "I."
3. And it reveals the character of the grace received. That it had been such as was greatly and consciously needed; and could come from no other source (Psalms 121:6); and it had been great indeed (Luke 7:47); and both unexpected and undeserved.
II. THE ABUNDANT SEASON FOR IT. "For that thy Name is near."
1. What are we to understand by "thy Name"? It means that which the name suggests. Names call up in our minds that which we know and feel of those to whom they belong. The Name of God suggests, therefore, to any man his idea of God—one thing to one man, another to another. To the writer of this psalm it is evident what thought of God his Name suggested. God was to him the God who lifts his people up from all their distresses.
2. What he says of this Name. It is "near." He meant, near in time, in locality,—at hand and not afar off, to his consciousness; he realized this nearness of God.
3. And we can still assert the Name. How often and how greatly, and for how many, God has uplifted their souls!—from the burden of guilty fear, of sin's oppression, of earthly care, of death's terror, and of all forms of Satan's rage. In all such times of trouble God has been near to his people, and has lifted them up far above and away from all their fear.
III. ITS PERSUASIVE PLEA. Surely testimony such as is here given is a plea unanswerable that we all should put our trust in the uplifting God, and turn to him in every trouble, and abide in him always. For us, too, there is the further argument of God's grace in Christ, and the infinite love revealed in him. May we hearken and obey!—S.C.