I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Psalms 9 is a powerful hymn of thanksgiving, where David expresses profound gratitude for God's deliverance. Its themes resonate deeply with those found in Psalm 10, though the tone differs significantly. Some scholars even suggest that Psalms 9 and 10 were originally a single, unified composition. This psalm belongs to the initial section of the Book of Psalms, encompassing Psalms 1 through 41, which lays a foundation for understanding God's character and His relationship with humanity.
Praising God for Victory and Justice (9:1-6)
David begins by declaring his intention to praise the Lord with all his heart, celebrating God's marvelous works (Psalms 9:1). This isn't a shallow expression of gratitude, but a wholehearted commitment to joyfully acknowledge God's interventions. David's specific reasons for praise likely stem from military victories granted to Israel over their enemies. He recognizes that these triumphs aren't due to Israel's might, but to God's power, causing enemies to stumble and perish (Psalms 9:3). David chooses to boast in God alone (9:1-2), regardless of his own power and fame.
David also extols God as a righteous judge. The term "nations" often refers to Gentile peoples, symbolizing the ungodly world. God's judgment against those who reject Him is so complete that their memory is erased (Psalms 9:5-6). This demonstrates God's righteousness in judgment (9:4) and his unrivaled power (9:5-6).
God, the Eternal King and Refuge (9:7-12)
In contrast to the fleeting existence of the wicked, God remains enthroned forever (Psalms 9:7). He is the true, eternal King who rules over all. He establishes His throne for judgment, administering justice with righteousness (Psalms 9:8). David further describes God as a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble (Psalms 9:9). This imagery evokes a sense of safety and security for those who trust in Him.
Those who know God's name will trust in Him, for He does not forsake those who seek Him (Psalms 9:10). David then calls on the people to sing praises to the Lord, proclaiming His deeds among the nations (Psalms 9:11). God remembers the oppressed; He does not ignore their cries (Psalms 9:12). Therefore, his people should remember to glorify him for his deliverance.
A Plea for Deliverance and a Vision of Justice (9:13-20)
David now turns to prayer, asking God to consider his affliction and to lift him up from the gates of death (Psalms 9:13). He seeks protection from his enemies' murderous intentions (9:13). His motivation? So that he may declare all God's praises. David wants to give verbal witness to God’s salvation so that all Jerusalem would hear and join him in worship (9:14).
David anticipates God's destruction of the wicked (9:16). He envisions a reversal of fortune, where the wicked are ensnared by their own devices (Psalms 9:15). They’ll fall into the pit they made for others; they’ll be snared in the net they have concealed for the innocent (9:15). The Lord will simultaneously judge the wicked and deliver the oppressed (9:17-18); that’s a great promise! The needy will not be forgotten, and the hope of the poor will never perish (Psalms 9:18).
David concludes with a fervent plea: "Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!" (Psalms 9:19). He calls on God to strike fear in the hearts of the nations (9:19). Whatever power they thought they possessed, they needed a reminder of their own mortality. He prays that God would put them in fear, that the nations may know that they are but men (Psalms 9:20). He prays that God would remind them that they are only humans subject to the God who created them (9:20).
Psalms 9 is a reminder that God is both a just judge and a refuge for the oppressed. It calls us to praise Him for His victories, trust in Him during times of trouble, and anticipate His ultimate triumph over evil. Though David speaks of his own era, and his own experiences, this serves to foreshadow the total victory of Christ when He returns (Revelation 19:11–15).
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Psalms 9 is a powerful hymn of thanksgiving, where David expresses profound gratitude for God's deliverance. Its themes resonate deeply with those found in Psalm 10, though the tone differs significantly. Some scholars even suggest that Psalms 9 and 10 were originally a single, unified composition. This psalm belongs to the initial section of the Book of Psalms, encompassing Psalms 1 through 41, which lays a foundation for understanding God's character and His relationship with humanity.
Praising God for Victory and Justice (9:1-6)
David begins by declaring his intention to praise the Lord with all his heart, celebrating God's marvelous works (Psalms 9:1). This isn't a shallow expression of gratitude, but a wholehearted commitment to joyfully acknowledge God's interventions. David's specific reasons for praise likely stem from military victories granted to Israel over their enemies. He recognizes that these triumphs aren't due to Israel's might, but to God's power, causing enemies to stumble and perish (Psalms 9:3). David chooses to boast in God alone (9:1-2), regardless of his own power and fame.
David also extols God as a righteous judge. The term "nations" often refers to Gentile peoples, symbolizing the ungodly world. God's judgment against those who reject Him is so complete that their memory is erased (Psalms 9:5-6). This demonstrates God's righteousness in judgment (9:4) and his unrivaled power (9:5-6).
God, the Eternal King and Refuge (9:7-12)
In contrast to the fleeting existence of the wicked, God remains enthroned forever (Psalms 9:7). He is the true, eternal King who rules over all. He establishes His throne for judgment, administering justice with righteousness (Psalms 9:8). David further describes God as a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble (Psalms 9:9). This imagery evokes a sense of safety and security for those who trust in Him.
Those who know God's name will trust in Him, for He does not forsake those who seek Him (Psalms 9:10). David then calls on the people to sing praises to the Lord, proclaiming His deeds among the nations (Psalms 9:11). God remembers the oppressed; He does not ignore their cries (Psalms 9:12). Therefore, his people should remember to glorify him for his deliverance.
A Plea for Deliverance and a Vision of Justice (9:13-20)
David now turns to prayer, asking God to consider his affliction and to lift him up from the gates of death (Psalms 9:13). He seeks protection from his enemies' murderous intentions (9:13). His motivation? So that he may declare all God's praises. David wants to give verbal witness to God’s salvation so that all Jerusalem would hear and join him in worship (9:14).
David anticipates God's destruction of the wicked (9:16). He envisions a reversal of fortune, where the wicked are ensnared by their own devices (Psalms 9:15). They’ll fall into the pit they made for others; they’ll be snared in the net they have concealed for the innocent (9:15). The Lord will simultaneously judge the wicked and deliver the oppressed (9:17-18); that’s a great promise! The needy will not be forgotten, and the hope of the poor will never perish (Psalms 9:18).
David concludes with a fervent plea: "Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!" (Psalms 9:19). He calls on God to strike fear in the hearts of the nations (9:19). Whatever power they thought they possessed, they needed a reminder of their own mortality. He prays that God would put them in fear, that the nations may know that they are but men (Psalms 9:20). He prays that God would remind them that they are only humans subject to the God who created them (9:20).
Psalms 9 is a reminder that God is both a just judge and a refuge for the oppressed. It calls us to praise Him for His victories, trust in Him during times of trouble, and anticipate His ultimate triumph over evil. Though David speaks of his own era, and his own experiences, this serves to foreshadow the total victory of Christ when He returns (Revelation 19:11–15).