Psalms

Chapter 9

I Will Give Thanks to the LORD

This psalm begins in public thanksgiving for enemies already driven back and nations already rebuked, but it does not remain only in retrospect. Praise widens into confidence that the LORD reigns forever as righteous judge, refuge of the oppressed, and avenger of blood, and then turns again into petition that the nations be exposed as merely human before him.

Psalm 9 is an early example of the Psalter's ability to hold testimony, theology, and plea together in one song. It shows that praise for what God has done becomes the ground for fresh appeal, especially when the needy still await full vindication and the nations still need to learn the limits of their power.

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Psalms 9

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vv. 1-20

I Will Give Thanks to the LORD

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F¹or the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David. ²I will be glad and rejoice in You;

³When my enemies retreat, ⁴For You have upheld my just cause; ⁵You have rebuked the nations; ⁶The enemy has come to eternal ruin,

⁷But the LORD abides forever; ⁸He judges the world with justice; ⁹The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, ¹⁰Those who know Your name trust in You, ¹¹Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; ¹²For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers;

¹³Be merciful to me, O LORD; ¹⁴that I may declare all Your praises —

¹⁵The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; ¹⁶The LORD is known by the justice He brings; ¹⁷The wicked will return to Sheol— ¹⁸For the needy will not always be forgotten; ¹⁹Rise up, O LORD, do not let man prevail; ²⁰Lay terror upon them, O LORD;

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01vv. 1-20I Will Give Thanks to the LORDDavid thanks the LORD wholeheartedly for judgment already seen against enemies and nations, then confesses that the same God remains enthroned forever as just ruler and refuge for the oppressed. From that confidence he summons Zion to praise, pleads for mercy, reflects on the self-destruction of the wicked, and finally asks the LORD to rise so that the nations learn they are only men before him.