Text -- Psalms 9:1-4 (NET)

Psalm 9

9:1 For the music director; according to the alumoth-labben style; a psalm of David. I will thank the Lord with all my heart! I will tell about all your amazing deeds! 9:2 I will be happy and rejoice in you! I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One! 9:3 When my enemies turn back, they trip and are defeated before you. 9:4 For you defended my just cause; from your throne you pronounced a just decision.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 9:1

¹ sn Psalm 9. The psalmist, probably speaking on behalf of Israel or Judah, praises God for delivering him from hostile nations. He celebrates God’s sovereignty and justice, and calls on others to join him in boasting of God’s greatness. Many Hebrew mss and the ancient Greek version (LXX) combine Psalms 9 and 10 into a single psalm.

² tc The meaning of the Hebrew term עַלְמוּת (’almut) is uncertain. Some mss divide the form into עַל מוּת (’al mut, “according to the death [of the son]”), while the LXX assumes a reading עֲלֻמוֹת עַל (’al ’alumot, “according to alumoth”). The phrase probably refers to a particular tune or musical style.

³ tn The cohortative forms in vv. 1-2 express the psalmist’s resolve to praise God publicly.

NET Notes: Psa 9:2

¹ tn Heb “[to] your name, O Most High.” God’s “name” refers metonymically to his divine characteristics as suggested by his name, in this case “Most High.” This divine title (עֶלְיוֹן, ’elyo/) pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked. See especially Ps 47:2.

NET Notes: Psa 9:3

¹ tn Or “perish”; or “die.” The imperfect verbal forms in this line either emphasize what typically happens or describe vividly the aftermath of a recent battle in which the Lord defeated the psalmist’s enemies.

NET Notes: Psa 9:4

¹ tn Heb “for you accomplished my justice and my legal claim.”

² tn Heb “you sat on a throne [as] one who judges [with] righteousness.” The perfect verbal forms in v. 4 probably allude to a recent victory (see vv. 5-7). Another option is to understand the verbs as describing what is typical (“you defend…you sit on a throne”).