King James Version

What Does Psalms 75:8 Mean?

Psalms 75:8 in the King James Version says “For 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: ... — study this verse from Psalms chapter 75 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For 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.

Psalms 75:8 · KJV


Context

6

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. south: Heb. desert

7

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

8

For 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.

9

But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

10

All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The psalm describes judgment: "For 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" (Hebrew ki khos b-yad-YHWH v-yayin chamar male mesekh va-yaggēr mi-zeh akh-sh-mareha yim-tzu yish-tu kol rish-ey-aretz). The "cup" symbolizes God's wrath throughout Scripture. "Full of mixture" indicates concentrated judgment. The wicked must "drink to the dregs"—consuming judgment completely. The image is sobering: divine wrath as inescapable intoxicating punishment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The cup of wrath appears throughout prophets (Isaiah 51:17,22, Jeremiah 25:15-29, Ezekiel 23:31-34). It represents God's judicial anger against sin. Habakkuk 2:16 describes drinking the cup of shame. Jesus referenced this in Gethsemane: "let this cup pass from me" (Matthew 26:39,42)—He would drink the cup of God's wrath we deserved. Revelation 14:10, 16:19 depict final judgment as drinking wrath's cup.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the cup of wrath imagery help you understand sin's seriousness and judgment's reality?
  2. What does it mean that Christ "drank the cup" of God's wrath in your place?
  3. How should the certainty of judgment for the impenitent motivate evangelism and holy living?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּ֤י1 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כ֪וֹס2 of 17

there is a cup

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

בְּֽיַד3 of 17

For in the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָ֡ה4 of 17

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְיַ֤יִן5 of 17

and the wine

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

חָמַ֨ר׀6 of 17

is red

H2560

properly, to boil up; hence, to glow (with redness)

מָ֥לֵא7 of 17

it is full

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

מֶסֶךְ֮8 of 17

of mixture

H4538

a mixture, i.e., of wine with spices

וַיַּגֵּ֪ר9 of 17

and he poureth out

H5064

to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over

מִ֫זֶּ֥ה10 of 17

of the same

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אַךְ11 of 17
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

שְׁ֭מָרֶיהָ12 of 17

but the dregs

H8105

something preserved, i.e., the settlings (plural only) of wine

יִמְצ֣וּ13 of 17

shall wring them out

H4680

to suck out; by implication, to drain, to squeeze out

יִשְׁתּ֑וּ14 of 17

and drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

כֹּ֝֗ל15 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רִשְׁעֵי16 of 17

thereof all the wicked

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

אָֽרֶץ׃17 of 17

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 75:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 75:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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