Psalm 9.1-2

The Power of Praise

Psalm 9:1–2

Structure

Psalm 9 & 10 are joined as 1 Psalm in Greek, Latin & Roman Catholic Bibles

Hebrew, English & Protestant typically have them separated as 2 distinct Psalms.

Psalm 9 is an acrostic psalm built on the first eleven letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Verse 1 begins with aleph, and verse 18 begins with the letter kaph.

(The letter “Daleth” is missing for some reason)

These alphabetical lines build on one another as David pours out his praise to the God who judges justly.

We can divide this psalm into David’s Praise

(Psalm 9.1–12)

and David’s Prayer

(Psalm 9.13–20).

Today we will mainly focus on vv.1-2

1. Praise = Perspective

Psalm 9:1

Praising God with our whole heart, as the psalmist demonstrates, is not only an act of worship but also a powerful declaration of trust and faith in God's sovereignty. This act serves to remind us of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, pointing us to the ultimate reason for our praise.

Having this perspective is what can bring us the most gladness and joy we will ever experience in our lives.

There is a way to praise God half-heartedly…

and there is a way to praise Him wholeheartedly.

The Hebrews viewed the heart as the “seat of thought”, representing people’s character & will.

Summary: In these verses, David exalts the Lord with his whole heart, declaring God's praises and recounting His wonderful deeds.

Application: Through praising God and recalling His faithfulness, believers can find strength, encouragement and even joy in the midst of trials and tribulations.

Teaching: The importance of praising God wholeheartedly and the impact it can have on our perspective and faith.

How this passage could point to Christ: Praise and worship are central themes throughout the Bible, ultimately pointing us to the person of Jesus Christ, who is worthy of all honor and glory.

Big Idea: True and heartfelt praise to God has the power to uplift and strengthen believers in our faith, reminding us of God's faithfulness and inspiring greater trust in Him.

The fulfillment of this brings joy in Christ, which glorifies Him in our lives.

“Delight is incomplete until it is expressed”

2. Recounting = Resilience

Psalm 9:2

Notice the importance of recounting God’s faithfulness and His deeds in & around your life as a form of praise, which can strengthen our faith during difficult times.

This reflection on God's past faithfulness is a reminder of Christ's consistent presence and work in our lives, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their trust.

Credit Report

A bank will look at how you have behaved in the past to predict how you will behave in the future. Now this isn’t foolproof, but it’s time tested that our past actions shows how dependable we are.

How’s God’s “credit report”? Hasn’t He been faithful in times of your life?

If God has been trustworthy in past situations, then you can trust Him today also!

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Past Mistakes

If a person consistently neglects to learn from past mistakes by repeating them in the present.

This illustrates the importance of remembering the past to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.

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David’s Past Experiences With God

King David's remembrance of God's past faithfulness during his encounters with lions and bears gave him the right perspective and courage to face Goliath.

Likewise, reflecting on God's faithfulness in our past can shape our attitude and perspective for the present and future.

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Share‌ A Time When God Has Been Faithful To You

Think of a time when you received unexpected help or provision, and how that experience molded your approach to present and future challenges.

By recalling such moments of grace, we can embrace a positive and hopeful attitude for what lies ahead.