Psalms 9:3-4

9:3 When my enemies turn back,

they trip and are defeated ¹  before you.

9:4 For you defended my just cause; ² 

from your throne you pronounced a just decision. ³ 

[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.

[9:4]  ² tn Heb “for you accomplished my justice and my legal claim.”

[9:4]  ³ 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”).