Psalm 9

The Septuagint translators combined Psalms 9 and 10 into one psalm even though they are separate in the Hebrew text.⁴¹They evidently did so for two reasons. First, together they complete an acrostic in which each verse (almost) begins with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Second, the same unusual terms and the same basic structure occur in both psalms suggesting that they may have originally been linked (e.g., "in times of trouble,"9:9 and 10:18; "the nations,"9:5, 15, 17, 19-20 and 10:16; and a closing emphasis on man's mortality, 9:20 and 10:18). In spite of these similarities the differences between Psalms 9 and 10 justify their separation. Each psalm is complete in itself and has its own purpose. Psalm 9 is a positive song of thanksgiving whereas Psalm 10 is a negative complaint and petition dealing with the godless.

David praised God for demonstrating His righteousness in judging wicked nations in Psalm 9. He expressed gratitude that the afflicted can trust in such a Judge. He concluded with a petition that the Lord would remove affliction from him so he could honor God by thanking Him for His deliverance.

In the title the word "Muth-labben"(NASB) means "The Death of the Son"(NIV) that was evidently a tune name.

 1. Praise for righteous judgment 9:1-12

This first section speaks of God as the righteous Judge in whom the afflicted may hope.

9:1-2 In view of the aspects of Yahweh's character that he would yet describe, David said he would thank God wholeheartedly. He would announce His extraordinary works publicly, rejoice in Him, and sing the praises of the Most High.

9:3-6 Here are the reasons for David's delight. God had vindicated him by punishing the nations that had opposed him as God's vice-regent. God had given a thorough victory. The cities of some of his enemies and even their names had perished suggesting the complete annihilation of these groups, perhaps tribes or smaller nations. Behind his own throne David saw Yahweh ruling in heaven and granting him the victory.

9:7-10 In contrast to those whose names had perished (v. 5) the Lord's name would abide forever because He will rule forever as a righteous Judge. In view of this those most in need of a righteous Judge to give them justice, namely the afflicted and the oppressed, may flee to Him in their distress. The concept of God as a refuge occurs often in the psalms. A "stronghold"(Heb. misgob, also translated "refuge"and "fortress") is a high place of security and protection. When David fled from Saul he often took refuge in strongholds of various kinds (1 Sam. 23:14, 19, 29). However, he regarded the Lord Himself as the best of these.

9:11-12 David closed this pericope of praise (vv. 1-12) by appealing to the afflicted and oppressed to praise God and testify to others about God's care of them. The NIV and marginal NASB readings "avenges bloodshed"(v. 12) more clearly express David's thought then "requires blood"(cf. Gen. 9:5).

 2. Petition for present deliverance 9:13-20

Since God had proved faithful to uphold the afflicted righteous in the past, David called on Him to deliver him from his present evil enemies.

9:13-14 The psalmist appealed for God's grace in defense from the attacks of those who hated him. God could save him from death. If He would do so, David promised to praise the Lord publicly among His people in Jerusalem.

9:15-16 These verses are probably an expression of David's confidence that the Lord would deliver him in anticipation of that deliverance. The psalmist had already seen the wicked snared in their own traps many times, and he was sure this would happen again (cf. 7:15).

"Higgaion"is probably a musical notation specifying quieter music.⁴²

9:17-18 The psalmist contrasted the ends of the wicked and the oppressed needy. He set those who forget God opposite those who remember Him. In Old Testament thinking remembering God is a term that describes continuing faith in God. Forgetting God pictures the opposite, namely turning away from God. The Lord will not forget those who remember God (trust in Him), but those who forget Him have no hope of escaping death when they need deliverance from it.

9:19-20 David concluded this psalm with a request for God to remind the nations of their frail mortality by judging them. Hopefully this would mean they would stop opposing the godly. Again (cf. 8:4) David used the word enos("man"and "men") to emphasize man in his frail mortality (cf. Gen. 3:19; Ps. 39:11; 144:4).

God's people should remember God's past acts of deliverance and praise Him for these as we face the opposition of wicked enemies of righteousness. On the basis of God's past faithfulness we can have confidence in His protection in our present and future distresses.