Psalms

In this Psalm the believers affirm the sovereignty of God over their life and over their world.  We see things every day that we can't necessarily make sense of, yet, we still know God is in control.  He is never surprised by any turn of events, or by the issues we face every day, or even by our sin.

To the Chief Musician. Set to "Do Not Destroy." A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

The Al-tashheth, meaning 'do not destroy' is probably popular music or song that this Psalm should be sung to.

 ¹ We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
         For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.
The Old Testament believers didn't have the presence of God living in them by the Holy Spirit as we do.  They knew God by His word, by His prophets and by the wondrous works of His hand.  God's name and His nature are associated with His being and His very presence. 

         
 ² "When I choose the proper time,
         I will judge uprightly.
 ³ The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved;
         I set up its pillars firmly.  Selah  
Man does not get to decide the proper time of judgment.  God will judge righteously in His time.  In God's time the earth and all upon it will be wiped away because He is the one who established it, not man.  The pillars of the earth are the metaphor for "that which all things are build on" or maybe "that which holds all things up."

Colossians 1:15 says.... ¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

         
 ⁴ "I said to the boastful, 'Do not deal boastfully,'
         And to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn.
 ⁵ Do not lift up your horn on high;
         Do not speak with a stiff neck.'"
The horn is a symbol of strength and majesty.  When an animal lift up its horn it kept anyone from putting a yoke on it and mastering it.  Lifting up your horn was a sign of rebellion. 

God always warns people when He is dealing with them.  No man will be able to say, "I didn't know."  God warned the boastful and wicked.

         
 ⁶ For exaltation comes neither from the east
         Nor from the west nor from the south.
 ⁷ But God is the Judge:
         He puts down one,
         And exalts another.
 ⁸ For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup,
         And the wine is red;
         It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;
         Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth
         Drain and drink down.

God has warned that judgment is coming.  For hundreds of years he has been patient and loving while calling people to Himself.  All the while the wrath of God is built up against the wicked people.  God will decide the time of judgment and then he will force the dregs on the wicked.

         
 ⁹ But I will declare forever,
         I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
         
 ¹⁰ "All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,
         But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted."

To cut off the horns of the wicked is to judge their rebellion.  Likewise, to exalt the horns of the righteous is to exalt them so they are lifted up.