Psalms 9

Psalms 9:1-20

Confidence in the Righteous Judge Psalms 9:1-20 The Chaldee version adds to the inscription, “ concerning the death of the champion who went out between the camps,” referring to the death of Goliath. This is the first of the Acrostic or Alphabetical Psalms, of which there are nine: Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 10:1-18; Psalms 25:1-22; Psalms 34:1-22; Psalms 37:1-40; Psalms 111:1-10; Psalms 112:1-10; Psalms 119:1-176; Psalms 145:1-21. There is a predominant note of praise, Psalms 9:1-5; Psalms 9:11-12; Psalms 9:14. Let memory heap fuel on the altar of praise. In the resurrection of our Lord, God indeed rebuked our arch-enemy, and his strongholds are now wastes, Zechariah 3:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Colossians 2:15. But there is a corresponding note of trust, Psalms 9:7-12. Calamity drives us to God. The more we know the more we trust Him. Doubt is born of ignorance. Leave God to vindicate; He will not forget, Psalms 9:12. There is a petition for further help, Psalms 9:13; Psalms 9:19-20. We have been at the gates of death, Psalms 9:13; here are the gates of the Holy City, Psalms 9:14. Compare Psalms 9:15 and Esther 7:10. God does not forget; forget Him not, Psalms 9:12; Psalms 17:1-15.

With my whole heart!Muth-labben probably refers to the tune to which these words were set. This is the first of the or Psalms, of which there are nine (Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 10:1-18; Psalms 25:1-22; Psalms 34:1-22; Psalms 37:1-40; Psalms 111:1-10; Psalms 112:1-10; Psalms 119:1-176; Psalms 145:1-21). Psalms 119:1-176 is the most remarkable specimen of this acrostic style of composition. Proverbs 31:1-31, and Lamentations 1:1-22; Lamentations 2:1-22; Lamentations 3:1-66; Lamentations 4:1-22 present the same acrostic character. In the Septuagint this Psalm refers to the death of the Divine Son, and recites his victory over death and the grave, and all our foes.

Psalms 9:1-5; Psalms 9:11-12; Psalms 9:14 There is a predominant note of praise. Let us not praise with a divided, but with a whole heart. And we must incite praise by recounting all God’s works. Let memory heap fuel on the altar of praise. The Lord has indeed rebuked our arch-enemy (compare Psalms 9:6 and Zechariah 3:1-2), and his strongholds are now wastes, come to a perpetual end (2 Corinthians 10:4; Colossians 2:15). What a contrast between our dead foes, and our ever-living King! (Psalms 9:7).

Psalms 9:7-12; Psalms 9:18 There is an assertion of trust. “Refuge” is high tower (R.V.). The oppressed, the humble, the needy, and the poor have strong encouragement. Calamity drives them to God and makes them familiar with the secrets of his character. The more we know of God the more we can trust Him. Doubt is born of ignorance. Let God vindicate you: He will not forget (Psalms 9:12).

Psalms 9:13; Psalms 9:19-20 There is a petition for further help.What a contrast between the gates of death (Psalms 9:13) and the gates of the holy city! (Psalms 9:14). What a striking example of Psa 9:15 is given in the story of Haman! (Esther 7:10). He who lifts the righteous hurls down the wicked. It is a sin to forget God (Psalms 9:17; Isaiah 51:13). There is a striking emphasis in the two closing verses; the Hebrew for men might be rendered weak, mortal man (enoush).