Psalms 75:3

3 When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.^[a]

Psalms 75:3 in Other Translations

3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.

3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah

3 When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. Interlude

3 When the earth goes topsy-turvy And nobody knows which end is up, I nail it all down, I put everything in place again.

3 When the earth and all its inhabitants shake, I am the One who steadies its pillars. Selah

Psalms 75:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 75:3

The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved
Or "melted" ^F16; the inhabitants, through fear and dread of the righteous Judge, appearing in the clouds of heaven, and of the wrath that is coming on they are deserving of; and the earth, through fire, when the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, the elements melt with fervent heat, and the earth and the works therein shall be burnt up, ( 2 Peter 3:10-12 ) .

I bear up the pillars of it.:
so that it shall not utterly perish; for though by the fire, at the general conflagration, the heavens and the earth will be so melted and dissolved as to lose their present form, and shall be purged and purified from all noxious qualities, the effects of sin; yet the substance will remain, out of which will be formed new heavens and a new earth, and this through the power of Christ sustaining it, and preserving it from entire destruction or annihilation. R. Obadiah by "pillars" understands in a figurative sense the righteous, for whose sake the world is continued in its being; these at the general conflagration will be bore up and preserved by Christ, whom they shall meet in the air, even the church, who is the pillar and ground of truth; and not only the ministers of the Gospel, who are pillars in Christ's house, but also every believer, which is a pillar there, that shall never go out, ( 1 Timothy 3:15 ) ( Galatians 2:9 ) ( Revelation 3:12 ) . Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret the pillars of the mountains.

Selah. (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

---

FOOTNOTES:

F16 (Mygmn) "liquefacti", Montanus; "liquefiet", Musculus.

Psalms 75:3 In-Context

1 We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.

2 You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity.

3 When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.

4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.

5 Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’ ”

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 24:19
• 2. 1 Samuel 2:8; S 2 Samuel 22:8

Footnotes

• [a]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here.