The Meaning of Psalms 75:1 Explained

Psalms 75:1

KJV: {To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.} Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

YLT: To the Overseer. -- 'Destroy not.' -- A Psalm of Asaph. -- A Song. We have given thanks to Thee, O God, We have given thanks, and near is Thy name, They have recounted Thy wonders.

Darby: {To the chief Musician. 'Destroy not.' A Psalm of Asaph: a Song.} Unto thee we give thanks, O God, we give thanks; and thy name is near: thy marvellous works declare it.

ASV: We give thanks unto thee, O God; We give thanks, for thy name is near: Men tell of thy wondrous works.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{To the chief Musician,  Altaschith,  A Psalm  [or] Song  of Asaph.  }} Unto thee, O God,  do we give thanks,  [unto thee] do we give thanks:  for [that] thy name  is near  thy wondrous works  declare. 

What does Psalms 75:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 75:1-10 - God Putteth Down And Lifteth Up
This psalm dates probably from Sennacherib's invasion, and therefore the North is omitted in Psalms 75:6, that being the quarter from which the enemy came.
God is near, Psalms 75:1-3. There are high moments in life when we realize how real and near God is. The ground on which we stand is holy. We know that we are safe in the pavilion of our Father's care. Then we give repeated thanks, Psalms 75:1. Presently God speaks and assures us that when the earth and its inhabitants dissolve, He will sustain its pillars. What an encouragement is this, when the whole world seems about to be dissolved!
Turning from God to man, the psalmist rebukes his enemies and bids them cease their arrogant talk and behavior, Psalms 75:4. The horn is the strength of certain beasts, and is a symbol of power, Deuteronomy 33:17; Daniel 7:7. But God is the supreme Ruler of men. Our position or promotion in life is His arrangement, to be held as a sacred trust for Him. Let us, amid a world in arms, be light-hearted and sing. God will take care of those who trust Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 75

1  The prophet praises God
2  He promises to judge uprightly
4  He rebukes the proud by consideration of God's providence
9  He praises God, and promises to execute justice

What do the individual words in Psalms 75:1 mean?

To the Chief Musician Set to do Not Destroy a Psalm of Asaph A Song we give thanks to You God we give thanks for is near Your name declare [that] Your wondrous works
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ אַל־ תַּשְׁחֵ֑ת מִזְמ֖וֹר לְאָסָ֣ף שִֽׁיר ה֘וֹדִ֤ינוּ לְּךָ֨ ׀ אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים ה֭וֹדִינוּ וְקָר֣וֹב שְׁמֶ֑ךָ סִ֝פְּר֗וּ נִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ  To  the  Chief  Musician 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָצַח  
Sense: to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.
אַל־  Set  to 
Parse: Adverb
תַּשְׁחֵ֑ת  do  Not  Destroy 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׁחַת  
Sense: (Hiphil) a command to the chief musician, or perhaps the title of a melody used for several Psalms.
מִזְמ֖וֹר  a  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
לְאָסָ֣ף  of  Asaph 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָסָף  
Sense: the father of Hezekiah’s secretary.
שִֽׁיר  A  Song 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שִׁיר 
Sense: song.
ה֘וֹדִ֤ינוּ  we  give  thanks 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: יָדָה 
Sense: to throw, shoot, cast.
לְּךָ֨ ׀  to  You 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
ה֭וֹדִינוּ  we  give  thanks 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: יָדָה 
Sense: to throw, shoot, cast.
וְקָר֣וֹב  for  is  near 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: קָרֹוב  
Sense: near.
שְׁמֶ֑ךָ  Your  name 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.
סִ֝פְּר֗וּ  declare  [that] 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: סָפַר 
Sense: to count, recount, relate.
נִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ  Your  wondrous  works 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, feminine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: פָּלָא  
Sense: to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action.