The Meaning of Psalms 75:3 Explained

Psalms 75:3

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

YLT: Melted is the earth and all its inhabitants, I -- I have pondered its pillars. Selah.

Darby: The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I have established its pillars. Selah.

ASV: The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I have set up the pillars of it. Selah

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 75:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 75:1-10 - God Putteth Down And Lifteth Up
This psalm dates probably from Sennacherib's invasion, and therefore the North is omitted in Psalms 75:6, that being the quarter from which the enemy came.
God is near, Psalms 75:1-3. There are high moments in life when we realize how real and near God is. The ground on which we stand is holy. We know that we are safe in the pavilion of our Father's care. Then we give repeated thanks, Psalms 75:1. Presently God speaks and assures us that when the earth and its inhabitants dissolve, He will sustain its pillars. What an encouragement is this, when the whole world seems about to be dissolved!
Turning from God to man, the psalmist rebukes his enemies and bids them cease their arrogant talk and behavior, Psalms 75:4. The horn is the strength of certain beasts, and is a symbol of power, Deuteronomy 33:17; Daniel 7:7. But God is the supreme Ruler of men. Our position or promotion in life is His arrangement, to be held as a sacred trust for Him. Let us, amid a world in arms, be light-hearted and sing. God will take care of those who trust Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 75

1  The prophet praises God
2  He promises to judge uprightly
4  He rebukes the proud by consideration of God's providence
9  He praises God, and promises to execute justice

What do the individual words in Psalms 75:3 mean?

Are dissolved the earth and all its inhabitants I set up firmly its pillars Selah
נְֽמֹגִ֗ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְכָל־ יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ אָנֹכִ֨י תִכַּ֖נְתִּי עַמּוּדֶ֣יהָ סֶּֽלָה

נְֽמֹגִ֗ים  Are  dissolved 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: מוּג  
Sense: to melt, cause to melt.
אֶ֥רֶץ  the  earth 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
וְכָל־  and  all 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ  its  inhabitants 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
תִכַּ֖נְתִּי  set  up  firmly 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: תָּכַן  
Sense: to regulate, measure, estimate, ponder, balance, make even, level, weigh, be equal, be weighed out, test, prove.
עַמּוּדֶ֣יהָ  its  pillars 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: עַמּוּד  
Sense: pillar, column.
סֶּֽלָה  Selah 
Parse: Interjection
Root: סֶלָה  
Sense: to lift up, exalt.