But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord . . . [1]
God’s Righteous Judgment
Psalm 75 ESV
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.
Charles Spurgeon
Never let us neglect thanksgiving, or we may fear that another time our prayers will remain unanswered. As the smiling flowers gratefully reflect in their lovely colors the various constituents of the solar ray, so should gratitude spring up in our heart after the smiles of God’s providence.[2]
“At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’” For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 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.
Charles Spurgeon
There is a God, and a providence, and things happen not by chance. Though deliverance be hopeless from all points of the compass, yet God can work it for his people; and though judgment come neither from the rising or the setting of the sun, nor from the wilderness of mountains, yet come it will, for the Lord reigneth. Men forget that all things are ordained in heaven; they see but the human force, and the carnal passion, but the unseen Lord is more real far than these. He is at work behind and within the cloud. The foolish dream that he is not, but he is near even now, and on the way to bring in his hand that cup of spiced wine of vengeance, one draught of which shall stagger all his foes.[3]
But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
Matthew Henry
No second causes will raise men to preferment without the First Cause. It comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. He mentions not the north; the same word that signifies the north, signifies the secret place; and from the secret of God’s counsel it does come. From God alone all must receive their doom. There are mixtures of mercy and grace in the cup of affliction, when it is put into the hands of God’s people; mixtures of the curse, when it is put into the hands of the wicked. God’s people have their share in common calamities, but the dregs of the cup are for the wicked. The exaltation of the Son of David will be the subject of the saints’ everlasting praises. Then let sinners submit to the King of righteousness and let believers rejoice in and obey him. [4]
The Heidelberg Catechism
Question # 123
What is the second petition [of the Lord’s Prayer]?
Thy Kingdom come. That is: so rule us by Thy Word and Spirit that we may submit ourselves more and more to Thee; preserve and increase Thy Church; destroy the works of the devil, every power that exalts itself against Thee, and all wicked counsels conceived against Thy holy Word, until the perfection of Thy kingdom arrive wherein Thou shalt be all in all.[5]
Question #124
What is the third petition [of the Lord’s Prayer]?
Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. That is: grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, and without any gainsaying obey Thy will, which alone is good; that so everyone may discharge the duties of his office and calling as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.[6]
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[7]
Now Thank We All Our God
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. [8]
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Zep 3:12.
[2] Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Volume 2, p. 293.
[3] Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Volume 2, p. 294.
[4] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Ps 75:6.
[5] G. I. Williamson, The Heidelberg Catechism: A Study Guide, p. 217.
[6] G. I. Williamson, The Heidelberg Catechism: A Study Guide, p. 221.
[7] Collect Proper 11, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 618.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 139:14.
