Psalm 75    

“When I choose the appointed time, I will judge with equity.” Here in psalm 75:2-3, the speaker suddenly shifts from the psalmist to God, and God speaks of judging, that is, judging the people of earth. From other scriptures we learn that God will judge through his appointed judge, Jesus Christ (Acts 10:38-42; 17:31; John 5:25-30; see commentary on Acts 17:31).

“it is I who firmly hold its pillars.” The earth has much evil, and people quake at the prospect of God’s judgment, but God is firmly holding the earth and His created order in place and people who love God should have no fear of God’s coming judgment for themselves or for the earth.

“your horn.” The psalmist compares the boastful people to a wild ox that lifts up its horn against heaven and stretches its neck out in arrogance. This is the figure hypocatastasis, where the comparison between the boastful people is implied, but not stated. The idea of the verse is, don’t be so proud that you would challenge heaven, and don’t be so arrogant.

[For more on the figure hypocatastasis, see commentary on Rev. 20:2.]

“an arrogant neck.” The Hebrew, “a neck of arrogance,” means a stiff, hardened neck that will not turn direction and thus is not humble or reasonable.

“But I will declare it forever.” The context is God’s righteous judgment, which the psalmist will declare to others.