Psalms 9

There is evidently a close relationship between the Ninth and Tenth Psalms. In the LXX, Vulg., and Jerome’s Latin Version they are reckoned as a single Psalm: and the absence of a title to Psalms 10, contrary to the general rule in Book I (Introd. p. liii), may indicate that in the Hebrew text also it was originally united to Psalms 9.[4][4] Comp. the analogous case of Psalms 42, 43.They are connected by resemblances (a) of form, and (b) of language. (a) The same ‘alphabetic’ or ‘acrostic’ structure appears in both. In Psalms 9 the pairs of verses begin with successive letters of the alphabet, with the exceptions that the fourth letter (Daleth) is missing; the fifth letter (Hç) is obscured by a corruption of the text in Psalms 9:7; and the eleventh letter (Kaph) is represented by Qôph[5] in Psalms 9:19. Psalms 10 begins with the twelfth letter (Lamed); but the alphabetical arrangement is then dropped, and six letters are passed over. At Psalms 9:12 however the structure of Psalms 9 reappears, and Psalms 9:12; Psalms 9:14-15; Psalms 9:17 begin with the last four letters of the alphabet in order. (b) Language. ‘In times of trouble’ (Psalms 9:9, Psalms 10:1) is a peculiar phrase found nowhere else: the word for ‘oppressed’ or ‘downtrodden’ (Psalms 9:9; Psalms 10:18) occurs elsewhere only in Psalms 74:21; Proverbs 26:28 (?): ‘mortal man’ is mentioned at the close of both Psalms in the same connexion (Psalms 9:19-20; Psalms 10:18). Comp. further Psalms 9:12 a with Psalms 10:4; Psalms 10:13, Psalms 9:12 b with Psalms 10:12, and Psalms 9:18 with Psalms 10:11 : ‘for ever and ever,’ Psalms 9:5, Psalms 10:16 : the appeal to ‘arise’ Psalms 9:19, Psalms 10:12 : and other points of thought and expression. [5] i.e. the hard guttural Semitic k, the 19th letter of the alphabet, takes the place of the soft k.But while the resemblance in form and language is so marked, the difference in tone and subject is not less striking. The individuality of the writer, which is so prominent in Psalms 9 (Psalms 9:1-4; Psalms 13, 14), disappears in Psalms 10. Psalms 9 is a triumphant thanksgiving, rarely passing into prayer (Psalms 9:13; Psalms 9:19): its theme is the manifestation of God’s sovereign righteousness in the defeat and destruction of foreign enemies of the nation. Psalms 10 is a plaintive expostulation and prayer, describing the tyrannous conduct of godless men within the nation[6], and pleading that God will no longer delay to vindicate His righteousness, and prove Himself the Defender of the helpless. [6] The only reference to ‘the nations’ (in Psalms 9:16) is by way of illustration.The two Psalms present an unsolved literary problem. The description of the wicked man (Psalms 10:3-11) may have been taken from another poem, for it is distinguished by other peculiarities, besides the absence of the alphabetic structure. We cannot tell whether verses beginning with the missing letters of the alphabet were displaced to make room for it, or whether it stood here from the first. The latter alternative seems most probable, for the concluding verses of the Psalm have links of connexion with Psalms 9:3-11. Comp. ‘helpless” in Psalms 9:14 with Psalms 9:8; Psalms 9:10; Psalms 9:13 with Psalms 9:4; Psalms 9:14 with Psalms 9:11. Psalms 9 however appears to be complete in itself, and it seems preferable to regard Psalms 10 as a companion piece rather than as part of a continuous whole. The connexion of thought is clear. The Psalmist has watched the great conflict between good and evil being waged in two fields: in the world, between Israel and the heathen nations; in the nation of Israel, between godless oppressors of the weak and their innocent victims. He has seen the sovereignty of God decisively vindicated in the world by the defeat of Israel’s enemies: but when he surveys the conflict within the nation, wrong seems to be triumphant. So he prays for an equally significant demonstration of God’s sovereignty within the nation by a signal punishment of the wicked who deny His power or will to interpose. These Psalms have been assigned to widely differing dates. But the tradition of their Davidic origin may be right. The author of Psalms 9 speaks as the representative of the nation, in language more natural to a king than to anyone else. The enemies of the nation are his enemies (Psalms 9:3); the national cause is his cause (Psalms 9:4). This Psalm then may celebrate David’s victories in general (2 Samuel 8); and Psalms 10:16 may refer in particular to the expulsion of the Philistines who occupied the north of Palestine for some time after the disaster of Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:7), and to the subjugation of the Jebusites. Nor is it difficult to understand how David might have to deplore the existence of domestic evils such as those described in Psalms 10, without being able to remedy them[7]. The misgovernment of Saul’s later years, and the contest between Ish-bosheth and David must have left a serious legacy of civil disorder (1 Samuel 22:1-2; 2 Samuel 3:1; 2 Samuel 3:22; 2 Samuel 4:2); and we have indications that David was not in a position to control his powerful nobles and enforce the administration of justice (2 Samuel 3:39; 2 Samuel 15:2 ff.). [7] Compare the account of Charlemain’s reign in Dean Church’s Beginning of the Middle Ages, p. 125.The Davidic origin of Psalms 9 is supported by its connexion with Psalms 7. The closing words of Psalms 7 (cp. Psalms 18:49) are taken up and expanded in Psalms 9:1-2 : both Psalms are inspired by a vivid sense of the judicial righteousness of Jehovah (Psalms 7:6 ff., Psalms 7:11; Psalms 9:4; Psalms 9:7-8; Psalms 9:16; Psalms 9:19): in both we have the thought of evil recoiling upon its authors (Psalms 7:14 ff.; Psalms 9:15 ff.). The connexion of Psa 5:11, Psalms 7:17, Psalms 8:1; Psalms 8:9, Psalms 9:1; Psalms 9:10; should also be noted. It may further be remarked that in Psalms 10 triumphant injustice is regarded in the simplest light as a wrong that calls for redress; not as in Psalms 37, as a ground of discontent, or as in Psalms 73, as a trial of faith. The train of thought is as follows. Psalms 9. The Psalmist resolves to celebrate Jehovah’s praise for victory won by His help (Psalms 9:1-4). He contrasts the transitoriness of the nations in their wickedness with the eternal sovereignty of the righteous Judge (Psalms 9:5-8), Who never fails to defend the godly (Psalms 9:9-10). A renewed invitation to praise (Psalms 9:11-12) is succeeded by a prayer for help in the hour of need (Psalms 9:13-14); and the revelation of Jehovah’s judicial righteousness in the discomfiture of the heathen is once more proclaimed (Psalms 9:15-16). After an interlude of music the Psalm concludes with a confident anticipation of the certainty of judgement and deliverance (Psalms 9:17-18), and a prayer that the nations may be taught to know their human impotence (Psalms 9:19-20). Psalms 10. From the conflict between Israel and the nations in which God’s sovereignty has been victoriously manifested, the Psalmist turns to the triumph of might over right in Israel itself. He remonstrates with Jehovah for His apparent indifference (Psalms 9:1-2), and draws a graphic picture of the atheistic self-complacency and pitiless tyranny of ‘the wicked man’ (Psalms 9:3-11). An urgent appeal to Jehovah to intervene and right these crying wrongs is followed by a confident expression of assurance that they are not unobserved or disregarded (Psalms 9:12-14). The prayer for the extirpation of evil finds a pledge for its fulfilment in the eternal sovereignty of Jehovah and the extermination of the heathen from His land (Psalms 9:15-16). The prayer of faith cannot remain unanswered, and heaven-protected right will finally be triumphant over earthly might (Psalms 9:17-18). The title should be rendered as in R.V., For the Chief Musician; set to Muth-labben. Probably (if the Massoretic text is sound) Muth-labben are the opening words of some well-known melody to which the Psalm was to be sung. Comp. the title of 22: ‘set to Ayyeleth hash-Shahar,’ i.e. ‘the hind of the morning’; and of 56 and 57. The words are obscure, but may mean ‘Die for the son,’ or, ‘Death to the son.’ The analogy of other titles is decisive against all the interpretations which explain these words to refer to the contents or occasion of the Psalm; ‘upon the death of Ben,’ or, ‘Labben,’ or ‘the son;’ by whom some unknown but formidable enemy of the nation, or Goliath, or even (as though David could possibly have written in this tone then) Absalom, is supposed to be intended. The tradition that it refers to Goliath is as old as the Targum, which paraphrases, “Concerning the death of the man who went forth between the camps,” an allusion to 1 Samuel 17:4, where the Heb. word for ‘champion’ is ‘man of the space between the camps.’ It is however possible that the present text is a corruption of the words ‘upon Alamoth’ which occur in the title of 46 (cp. 1 Chronicles 15:20). So the LXX, Aquila, and Theodotion appear to have read, though they give wrong renderings. See Introd. p. xxv.

Psalms 9:1-4

1–4. The Psalmist’s purpose to praise Jehovah for the recent manifestation of His righteous judgement in the defeat of His enemies. Each of the four lines in Psalms 9:1-2 begins with Aleph, the first letter of the alphabet.

Psalms 9:2

2. rejoice] R.V., exult; the same word as in Psalms 5:11 c. The closing words of Psalms 7 are taken up and expanded in these two verses.

Psalms 9:3-4

3, 4. Stanza of Beth. It is best to place a semicolon only at the end of Psa 9:2, and render Psalms 9:3 in close connexion with it: Because mine enemies turn back, Stumble and perish at Thy presence. The ‘presence’ or ‘face’ of God is to His enemies necessarily a manifestation of victorious wrath. Comp. Psalms 21:9 (R.V. marg.); Psalms 34:16; Exodus 14:24. The verse is a vivid picture of a panic rout: the foe turning to flee, stumbling in their precipitate haste, overtaken and annihilated. Cp. Psalms 35:5-6.

Psalms 9:4

4. In the defeat of his enemies he sees God’s judicial intervention on his behalf. God has pronounced and executed sentence in his favour. Cp. Psalms 7:8-9. thou satest &c.] Better, thou didst take thy seat on the throne, judging righteously. The throne is that of judgement (Psalms 9:7; Proverbs 20:8). God has assumed this judicial character, in answer to the Psalmist’s prayer in Psalms 7:7.

Psalms 9:5-6

5, 6. Stanza of Gimel. The utter destruction of the nations in their wickedness.

Psalms 9:6

6. The enemy are consumed, left desolate for ever; And (their) cities thou didst uproot; the very remembrance of them is perished. An address to the enemy (P.B.V. and A.V.) would be out of place here; and the word rendered destructions does not bear an active sense, but means ruins or desolations. It is best to regard the words as still addressed to Jehovah, continuing the description of His judgment on the enemies of Israel. The language of this and the preceding verse recalls that of the curse on Amalek: “I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven” (Exodus 17:14; cp. Deuteronomy 25:19). ‘Their memorial’ or ‘remembrance’ refers grammatically to the enemy, not to the cities, and the pronoun is repeated in the original to emphasise the contrast between those who are thus destroyed and forgotten, and Jehovah who sits enthroned on high for ever. Critical reasons however suggest a slight alteration of the text. If the emphatic pronoun is transferred from the end of Psa 9:6 to the beginning of Psa 9:7, and a verb supplied, we may render, They are perished, but the Lord sitteth &c. This emendation (approved by Delitzsch) marks the contrast still more strongly (cp. Psalms 102:26), and moreover makes the pair of Psa 9:7-8 begin, as they should, with the letter Hç. There is also much to be said in favour of transposing the clauses of Psa 9:6 thus, as proposed by Nowack: The enemy are consumed, the remembrance of them is perished: And the cities thou didst uproot are desolate for ever.

Psalms 9:7-10

7–10. A stanza of four verses, each (as the text stands) beginning with the letter Vâv. But Psalms 9:7 may originally have begun with Hç. [In Dr Scrivener’s text Hç is prefixed to Psalms 9:6; but this verse should belong to the stanza of Gimel). The eternity of Jehovah’s sovereignty is contrasted with the annihilation of His enemies: the righteousness of His rule with the injustice of the wicked.

Psalms 9:8

8. And he shall judge] He is emphatic. His administration, in contrast to that of so many human rulers, will be one of perfect justice and equity. And it will be universal. The vindication of his right which the Psalmist has just experienced is the earnest of a judgement which will embrace the whole world and all peoples. For people read peoples, and for uprightness, equity, as in Psalms 98:9. Cp. Psalms 7:8; Psalms 96:10; Psalms 96:13; Acts 17:31. The Heb. word tηbhηl rendered world denotes the fruitful, habitable part of the earth (cp. οἰκουμένη), here of course including its inhabitants. Cp. Proverbs 8:31.

Psalms 9:9-10

9, 10. So may Jehovah be a high tower for the down-trodden, A high tower in times of extremity; And let them that know Thy name trust in Thee, Because Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee, O Jehovah. These verses express the result of Jehovah’s judgement in the deliverance of those who are crushed and down-trodden (Psalms 10:18; Job 5:4) by the world’s magnates, and the consequent encouragement of the faithful. a refuge] A high tower or fort; in the Psalter always metaphorically of God. Cp. Psalms 18:2, &c., and the use of the cognate verb in Psalms 20:1 and elsewhere. The figure may well be derived from the experience of David in his outlaw life. The down-trodden victim is lifted up far out of the reach of his tormentors. Cp. Proverbs 18:10. trouble] A word occurring elsewhere only in Psalms 10:1. It seems to mean the extremity of trouble in which all hope of deliverance is cut off. The idea may be that the precipice which apparently barred the fugitive’s escape proves to be his retreat from his pursuers.

Psalms 9:10

10. they that know thy name] Who recognise the character of God thus revealed in His Providence. Cp. “they that love thy name,” Psalms 5:11; and Psalms 8:1; Psalms 91:14. thou, Lord, hast not forsaken] Cp. the noble words of Sir 2:10; “Look at the generations of old and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?”—the “sentence” which “fell with weight” upon John Bunyan’s spirit in the agony of his spiritual despair. “It was with such strength and comfort on my spirit, that I was as if it talked with me.” Grace Abounding, § 62 ff. them that seek thee] See note on Psalms 24:6.

Psalms 9:11-12

11, 12. Stanza of Zayin. A call to praise.

Psalms 9:12

12. For he that maketh requisition for bloodshed hath remembered them: He hath not forgotten the cry of the humble. The call to praise is based on a definite experience (hath remembered, hath not forgotten), rather than on a general truth (remembereth, forgetteth not). Jehovah is the Goel, the Avenger of blood, who investigates all offences against His sacred gift of human life, and demands satisfaction for them (Genesis 9:5 f.). Such offences ‘cry’ to God for vengeance (Genesis 4:10). ‘Bloodshed’ may include crimes of violence which fall short of actual murder, but rob men of the rightful use and enjoyment of their lives. Cf. Job 24:2 ff. them] The oppressed seekers of Jehovah mentioned in Psalms 9:9-10; the ‘poor’ of the next line. the cry] For illustration comp. Exodus 3:7; Exodus 3:9; 1 Samuel 9:16; Job 34:28. the humble] R.V. the poor, marg. meek. The traditional reading (Qrξ) is ‘anβvξm, though the text (Kthξbh) has ‘aniyyξm. Both words are derived from the same root, meaning to bend or bow down. The first is intransitive in form, and denotes the character of one who bows himself down: lowly, humble, meek (LXX πραΰς). The second is passive in form, and denotes primarily the condition of one who is bowed down by external circumstances of poverty, trouble, or oppression: poor, afflicted (comp. the cognate substantive in Psalms 9:13, my trouble, R.V, affliction). But inasmuch as humility is learnt in the school of affliction and, poverty (cp.

Matthew 5:3 with Luke 6:20), it often has the secondary sense of meek, humble (LXX generally πτωχός, πένης, sometimes ταπεινός or πραΰς), and the distinction between the two words is lost. The second of the two words (but not the first) is often coupled or in parallelism with ebhyτn ‘needy,’ Psalms 9:18), or dal ‘weak,’ ‘feeble’ (Psalms 82:3-4); and these words also, though primarily denoting condition, tend to acquire a moral significance. The ‘afflicted,’ ‘poor,’ ‘meek,’ ‘humble,’ are a class that meet us frequently in the Psalms and Prophets. They are those whose condition specially calls for the special protection of Jehovah, and of righteous rulers who are His true representatives (Psalms 72:7; Psalms 72:4; Psalms 72:12); and whose character for the most part fits them to be objects of the divine favour. They are contrasted with the proud, the scorners, the oppressors, whose contemptuous independence and high-handed violence will meet with due punishment (Proverbs 3:34).

Psalms 9:13-14

13, 14. Stanza of Cheth. The connexion is difficult. The preceding and succeeding verses speak of deliverance granted, of victory won. Why then this abruptly introduced prayer for relief? To regard it as the ‘cry of the afflicted’ in their past distress seems inconsistent with the vigorous directness of the Psalm; and it is best to suppose that the recollection of dangers which still threaten prompts a prayer even in the moment of triumph. But it is possible that by a simple change in the vocalisation (Introd. p. lxvii) the verbs should be read as perfects instead of imperatives:—‘Jehovah hath been gracious unto me; he hath seen my affliction … lifting me up &c.’ So the Greek version of Aquila; and so Jerome, according to the best reading (misertus est mei … vidit afflictionem meam).

Psalms 9:14

14. in the gates] i.e. with the utmost publicity (Psalms 116:14); for the city gates were the common place of concourse and business, corresponding to the agora or forum of Greece and Rome. Cp. Job 29:7; Proverbs 8:3; Jeremiah 17:19-20. The implied contrast between “the cheerful ways of men” and the gloomy entrance to the nether world is obvious. Ports (P.B.V.) is an obsolete word for gates, from Lat. porta. the daughter of Zion] A poetical personification of the citizens or the city as an individual. Originally Zion was thought of as the mother, the citizens collectively as her daughter; but as terms for land and people are easily interchanged, the expression came to be applied to the city itself (Isaiah 1:8; Lamentations 2:15). ‘Daughter of Zion’ occurs nowhere else in the Psalter (see however ‘daughter of Tyre,’ Psalms 45:12; ‘daughter of Babylon,’ Psalms 137:8), but together with the cognate phrases ‘daughter of Jerusalem,’ ‘daughter of my people’ &c. frequently in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Zechariah, and is specially characteristic of the Lamentations. salvation] R.V. marg., saving help. See note on Psalms 3:8.

Psalms 9:15-16

15, 16. Stanza of Teth, resuming the description of the judgment. Wickedness has been made to minister to its own discomfiture. Cp. Psalms 7:15 f.

Psalms 9:16

16. Jehovah hath made himself known, he hath executed judgment, Snaring the wicked in the work of his own hands. For God’s revelation of Himself in judgment comp. Psalms 48:3 (R.V.): Exodus 7:5; Exodus 14:4; Exodus 14:18; Ezekiel 38:23. Higgaion] A musical term, rendered a solemn sound in Psalms 92:3, and here in conjunction with Selah directing the introduction of a jubilant interlude, to celebrate the triumph of the divine righteousness.

Psalms 9:17-18

17, 18. Stanza of Yod. Confident anticipation for the future, arising naturally out of the contemplation of Jehovah’s recent judgement.

Psalms 9:18

18. For the needy shall not perpetually be forgotten; Nor the hope of the afflicted be disappointed for ever. Man forgets God; but God does not forget man. expectation] The patient hope which waits upon God in faith (LXX ὑπομονή: Vulg. patientia). Comp. the frequent use of the cognate verb generally rendered wait: Psalms 25:3; Psalms 25:5; Psalms 25:21, Psalms 27:14, Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:34, Psalms 40:1, Psalms 130:5; Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 26:8 : and elsewhere. the poor] Here the traditional reading is ‘aniyyξm, ‘afflicted,’ though the text has ‘anβvξm, ‘meek.’ See note on Psalms 9:12.

Psalms 9:19-20

19, 20. This stanza should begin with Kaph, but (if the text is sound) the similar letter Qoph is substituted for it. [Kaph is prefixed to Psalms 9:18 in Dr Scrivener’s text; but this verse belongs to the stanza of Yod.] It is a prayer for further and still more complete judgment upon the nations, that they may be taught to know their human weakness. Arise, O Jehovah; let not mortal man wax strong: Let the nations be Judged in thy presence. Ordain terror for them, O Jehovah, Let the nations know they are but mortal. The word for ‘man’ (enôsh) denotes man in his weakness as contrasted with God (2 Chronicles 14:11; Job 4:17; Isaiah 51:7; Isaiah 51:12). ‘Strength’ is the prerogative of God (Psalms 62:11); though men and nations are apt to think that it is inherent in themselves (Psalms 52:7); and therefore the Psalmist prays that the proud antagonism of the nations may receive a salutary lesson. They are to be summoned to Jehovah’s presence and there judged.

Psalms 9:20

20. Put them in fear] Lit. set terror for them: some awe-inspiring exhibition of power, such as were the wonders of the Exodus. (Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 26:8; Deuteronomy 34:12; Jeremiah 32:21.) The rendering of LXX, Vulg., Syr., appoint a lawgiver over them, (reading môreh for môrah) is certainly wrong, though it is adopted by Luther and by some modern critics.