2 The words “God says” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation to clarify that God speaks in vv. 2–3.
3 Heb “when I take an appointed time.”
4 Heb “I, [in] fairness, I judge.” The statement is understood in a generalizing sense; God typically executes fair judgment as he governs the world. One could take this as referring to an anticipated (future) judgment, “I will judge.”
5 Heb “melt.”
6 The statement is understood in a generalizing sense; God typically prevents the world from being overrun by chaos. One could take this as referring to an anticipated event, “I will make its pillars secure.”
7 The identity of the speaker in vv. 4–6 is unclear. The present translation assumes that the psalmist, who also speaks in vv. 7–9 (where God/the Lord is spoken of in the third person) here addresses the proud and warns them of God’s judgment. The presence of כִּי (ki, “for”) at the beginning of both vv. 6–7 seems to indicate that vv. 4–9 are a unit. However, there is no formal indication of a new speaker in v. 4 (or in v. 10, where God appears to speak). Another option is to see God speaking in vv. 2–6 and v. 10 and to take only vv. 7–9 as the words of the psalmist. In this case one must interpret כִּי at the beginning of v. 7 in an asseverative or emphatic sense (“surely; indeed”).
8 Heb “do not lift up a horn.” The horn of an ox underlies the metaphor (see Deut 33:17; 1 Kgs 22:11; Ps 92:10). The horn of the wild ox is frequently a metaphor for military strength; the idiom “exalt/lift up the horn” signifies military victory (see 1 Sam 2:10; Pss 89:17, 24; 92:10; Lam 2:17). Here the idiom seems to refer to an arrogant attitude that assumes victory has been achieved.
9 Heb “do not lift up on high your horn.”
10 Heb “[do not] speak with unrestrained neck.” The negative particle is understood in this line by ellipsis (note the preceding line). The image behind the language of vv. 4–5 is that of a powerful wild ox that confidently raises its head before its enemies.
11 Heb “for not from the east or from the west, and not from the wilderness of the mountains.” If one follows this reading the sentence is elliptical. One must supply “does help come,” or some comparable statement. However, it is possible to take הָרִים (harim) as a Hiphil infinitive from רוּם (rum), the same verb used in vv. 4–5 of “lifting up” a horn. In this case one may translate the form as “victory.” In this case the point is that victory does not come from alliances with other nations.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“At the set time that I appoint

I will judge with equity.

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,

it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah

I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;

do not lift up your horn on high,

or speak with haughty neck.’ ”

For not from the east or from the west

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

You say, “I choose the appointed time;

it is I who judge with equity.

When the earth and all its people quake,

it is I who hold its pillars firm.

To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.

Do not lift your horns against heaven;

do not speak so defiantly.’ ”

No one from the east or the west

or from the desert can exalt themselves.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“When I choose a time,

I will judge fairly.

When the earth and all its inhabitants shake,

I am the one who steadies its pillars.

Selah

I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.

Do not lift up your horn against heaven

or speak arrogantly.’ ”

Exaltation does not come

from the east, the west, or the desert,

NLTNew Living Translation

God says, “At the time I have planned,

I will bring justice against the wicked.

When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil,

I am the one who keeps its foundations firm.

Interlude

“I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’

I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists!

Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens

or speak with such arrogance.’ ”

For no one on earth—from east or west,

or even from the wilderness—

should raise a defiant fist.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“I will indeed set an appointed time;

I will judge fairly.

The earth and all its inhabitants are shaking;

I steady its columns. Selah

I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast!’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn!

Do not lift up high your horn.

Do not speak with arrogant pride.’ ”

For it is not from the east or the west

and not from the south that lifting up comes,

KJV 1900King James Version

When I shall receive the congregation

I will judge uprightly.

The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved:

I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.

I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly:

And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:

Lift not up your horn on high:

Speak not with a stiff neck.

For promotion cometh neither from the east,

Nor from the west, nor from the south.

Public Domain