The Cup of Judgment
Psalms 74
The psalmist gives thanks and declares that God alone, as righteous judge, sets the appointed time to judge, putting down one and raising up another. He warns the arrogant not to boast, describing a cup of mingled wrath in the Lord's hand from which all the wicked of the earth must drink, while the horns of the righteous will be exalted.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonFor the end, Destroy not, a Psalm of a Song for Asaph.
GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, μὴ διαφθείρῃς, ψαλμὸς ᾠδῆς τῷ Ἀσάφ.
KJV—
JPSFor the Leader; Al-tashheth. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.
2
Thomson(p) LET us praise Thee, O God; let us praise and invoke Thy name. Let me proclaim all Thy wonderous works.
BrentonWe will give thanks to thee, O God, we will give thanks, and call upon thy name: I will declare all thy wonderful works.
GreekἘξομολογησόμεθα σοι ὁ Θεὸς, ἐξομολογησόμεθα, καὶ ἐπικαλεσόμεθα τὸ ὄνομά σου· διηγήσομαι πάντα τὰ θαυμάσιά σου.
KJVUnto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
JPSWe give thanks unto Thee, O God, We give thanks, and Thy name is near; Men tell of Thy wondrous works.
3
Thomson(J) When I find a suitable time, I execute righteous judgment.
BrentonWhen I shall take a set time, I will judge righteously.
GreekὍταν λάβω καιρὸν, ἐγὼ εὐθύτητας κρινῶ.
KJVWhen I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
JPS'When I take the appointed time, I Myself will judge with equity.
4
Thomson(p) The land, with all its inhabitants, is wasted. (J) It was I who strengthened the pillars thereof.
BrentonThe earth is dissolved, and all that dwell in it: I have strengthened its pillars. Pause.
GreekἘτάκη ἡ γῆ, καὶ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες αὐτὴν, ἐγὼ ἐστερέωσα τοὺς στύλους αὐτῆς· διάψαλμα.
KJVThe earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
JPSWhen the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved, I Myself establish the pillars of it.' Selah
5
ThomsonI ordered the transgressors not to transgress, and said to sinners, Exalt not a horn.
BrentonI said unto the transgressors, Do not transgress; and to the sinners, Lift not up the horn.
GreekΕἶπα τοῖς παρανομοῦσι, μὴ παρανομεῖν, καὶ τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσι, μὴ ὑψοῦτε κέρας.
KJVI said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
JPSI say unto the arrogant 'Deal not arrogantly'; And to the wicked 'Lift not up the horn.'
6
ThomsonLift not up your horn on high; speak not iniquity against God.
BrentonLift not up your horn on high; speak not unrighteousness against God.
GreekΜὴ ἐπαίρετε εἰς ὕψος τὸ κέρας ὑμῶν, μὴ λαλεῖτε κατὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀδικίαν.
KJVLift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
JPSLift not up your horn on high; Speak not insolence with a haughty neck.
7
ThomsonFor it is neither from east nor from west, nor is it from desert mountains;
BrentonFor good comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert mountains.
GreekὍτι οὔτε ἀπὸ ἐξόδων, οὔτε ἀπὸ δυσμῶν, οὔτε ἀπὸ ἐρήμων ὀρέων,
KJVFor promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
JPSFor neither from the east, nor from the west, Nor yet from the wilderness, cometh lifting up.
8
Thomsonfor God is judge;—He humbleth one and He exalteth another.
BrentonFor God is the judge; he puts down one, and raises up another.
Greekὅτι ὁ Θεὸς κριτής ἐστι· τοῦτον ταπεινοῖ, καὶ τοῦτον ὑψοῖ.
KJVBut God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
JPSFor God is judge; He putteth down one, and lifteth up another.
9
ThomsonFor in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, filled with mixed wine of horror; and out of this He hath poured into that: but the dregs of it are not emptied out; all the sinners of the land shall drink it.
BrentonFor there is a cup in the hand of the Lord, full of unmingled wine; and he has turned it from side to side, but its dregs have not been wholly poured out; all the sinners of the earth shall drink them.
GreekὍτι ποτήριον ἐν χειρὶ Κυρίου, οἴνου ἀκράτου πλῆρες κεράσματος· καὶ ἔκλινεν ἐκ τούτου εἰς τοῦτο, πλὴν ὁ τρυγίας αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐξεκενώθη· πίονται πάντες οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τῆς γῆς.
KJVFor in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
JPSFor in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, with foaming wine, full of mixture, And He poureth out of the same; Surely the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall drain them, and drink them.
10
Thomson(p) Let me then exult with joy forever, and tune my lyre for the God of Jacob.
BrentonBut I will exult for ever: I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἀγαλλιάσομαι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ψαλῶ τῷ Θεῷ Ἰακώβ.
KJVBut I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
JPSBut as for me, I will declare for ever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
11
Thomson(J) I will break all the horns of sinners, but the horn of the righteous shall be exalted.
BrentonAnd I will break all the horns of sinners; but the horns of the righteous one shall be exalted.
GreekΚαὶ πάντα τὰ κέρατα τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν συγκλάσω, καὶ ὑψωθήσεται τὰ κέρατα τοῦ δικαίου.
KJVAll the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
JPSAll the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; But the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.