Read Psalm 9
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.
1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause,
sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.
5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.
7 The Lord reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He rules the world in righteousness
and judges the peoples with equity.
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.
12 For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
13 Lord, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may declare your praises
in the gates of Daughter Zion,
and there rejoice in your salvation.
15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The Lord is known by his acts of justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,
all the nations that forget God.
18 But God will never forget the needy;
the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
19 Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.
20 Strike them with terror, Lord;
let the nations know they are only mortal.
Go Deeper
God is never deaf to His children’s cries for help and mercy. Read that again. God is NEVER deaf to His children’s cries for help and mercy. David not only knew that truth, he experienced it. Time and time again when David was desperate for God’s presence, power, and provision, God answered his pleas. It’s why David penned these words:
“You have upheld me.” (vs. 4)
“You are a refuge.” (vs. 9)
“You have NEVER forsaken those who seek you.” (vs. 10)
“You will never forget the needy.” (vs. 18)
God’s refuge and reign produced prayer and praise in David. With his whole heart, he praised God…even when he was experiencing pain and suffering (vs 13). God is big enough to handle both our praise and our pleas. Our honest prayers honor Him. He has not forgotten you.
And, we must not forget Him. In this chapter of Psalms alone we observe the following: He is worthy of praise, He is generous in deeds, He is MOST HIGH, He is righteous, He is just, He is eternal, He reigns forever, He is a refuge, a stronghold, He remembers His children, He never forgets the needy, and He has NEVER forsaken those who seek Him.
God is never deaf to His children’s cries for help and mercy. Let’s thank Him for His faithfulness. He is a good Father. He can be trusted.
Questions
- What does this chapter teach you about the character of God?
- Are you quicker to praise God for his provision in your life or remind Him of what you still need? Spend some time thanking Him for what He’s done and what He will do.
- David asks God to remind his enemies that they are only men (mortal). Why do you think David asks Him that?
A Quote
When I suffer pain over any length of time I try to reflect on the good which the Bible has promised pain is producing in me…”How does suffering accomplish this?” I ask myself. It produces perseverance, or steadiness, by slowing me down, by forcing me to turn to God, by proving to me that I can survive a crisis.
–Philip Yancey
3 thoughts on “Psalm 9”
David penned a celebratory Psalm of God’s justice from personal experience. With a full heart he gives thanks, declares, rejoices and sings to God for deliverance from his enemies. He is confident that though his trials are crushing God’s position as sovereign ruler over all has not changed. His righteous judgement forever remains. I’m drawn to the verses that speak of “the nations” in light of the current events in America. Are we a nation that has forgotten God? It’s a wake up call for me to examine my heart, where have I placed my trust? I was so encouraged by the words Shane Pruitt spoke yesterday at HCBC. He reminded us:
*In a world that’s ever changing, we need to hold onto never changing truths.
*Jesus Christ has not changed. He is STILL King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
*Our identity in Christ has not changed.
*The calling of God on our lives to know Jesus and make him known has not changed.
A perfect Psalm for today.
As I read this my heart began to sink ‘I will praise you in the storm’ by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, “Amen” and it’s still rainin’
Well, as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
And raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You?
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
(I lift my eyes unto the hills)
(Where does my help come from?)
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn (Though my heart is torn)
I’ll praise You in this storm (Praise you in this storm)