Sundays in the Psalms (9)

Exaltation in Worship:

Remembering the Greatness of God

Psalm 9:1-20

In a sin-marred world filled with violence and vices, believers often find themselves discouraged and defeated by injustices.

In order to remain strong in the faith, we must realize that no matter how much evil may reign, a final judgment by God is coming.

Psalm 9 is a dramatic announcement of this fact.

In the last day God will preside over all unbelievers and inflict eternal wrath upon the unrighteous.

In light of this coming hour, believers should remain focused on God, especially when persecuted, knowing that God will bring justice in the end.

According to the title, Psalm 9 is addressed “for the director of music,” directing him to lead in the singing of this song “to the tune of ‘The Death of the Son.’ ” Regarding its authorship, it is “a psalm of David.” It was probably joined originally with Psalm 10 to form one hymn of praise.

This psalm reminds us to focus on God's past faithfulness as a source of strength in present struggles.

By engaging in heartfelt worship, we align our priorities with God's truth and find peace despite life's challenges.

I. David’s Praise

Psalm 9:1–2 (KJV 1900)

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.I will be glad and rejoice in thee:I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

A. Praise Him for His Great Power

David set the strong tone of this psalm by declaring four times that he would praise God for his greatness.

He resolved, I will praise thee O Lord with my whole heart. I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.

These works point to God’s amazing interventions into history by his saving acts toward his people.

B. Praise Him for His Glorious Person

With building intensity, he exclaimed, I will be glad and rejoice in thee.

All true joy, David said, is found in God.

David called God, O thou Most High (Heb. Elyon), a name that reveals him to be exalted over all, reigning in sovereignty, enthroned in the heavens, and working wonders.

II. David’s Proclamation

Psalm 9:3-12.

God's righteous judgment against the wicked assures the faithful of His sovereignty and justice.

This reminds us that God is in control, and His justice prevails ultimately.

In Christ, justice is fulfilled once for all, signaling hope and redemption.

This calls us to worship God in the assurance of His perfect plans and justice being accomplished through Jesus.

A. God Defeats His Enemies

Psalm 9:3–6 (KJV 1900)

When mine enemies are turned back, They shall fall and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou satest in the throne judging right. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: And thou hast destroyed cities; Their memorial is perished with them.

When Israel was attacked by hostile nations, King David observed, My enemies turn back; they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

When God intervenes, his foes are routed and defeated in the day of battle.

Giving glory to God for such military victories, David gave a fivefold description of this day of divine triumph.

The Lord has:

(1) maintained my right and my cause,

or undergirded Davids fighting;

(2) rebuked the heathen,

or confronted and reproved them;

(3) destroyed the wicked,

referring to their total defeat;

(4) put out their name for ever and ever,

meaning they were eternally defeated, never to be remembered; and

(5) destroyed their cities,

indicating they were so demolished that there was no possibility of their being rebuilt.

This should remind us that God remembers our cause and God restrains those that cause us harm

B. God Directs the World

Psalm 9:7–8 (KJV 1900)

But the Lord shall endure for ever: He hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Reaffirming God’s sovereignty, David stated, The Lord shall endure forever

David Proclaims that

i. God Reigns Eternally

v.7

never to be impeached and never to be usurped by another ruler.

ii. God Reigns Righteously

v.8

Therefore, he shall judge the world in righteousness as all the nations will stand before him in the final judgment and receive perfect justice.

In that awful day no mercy would be extended to unbelievers, only sovereign justice (Acts 17:31

Acts 17:31 KJV 1900

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

C. God Defends the Oppressed

Psalm 9:9–10 (KJV 1900)

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

God is a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble.

God is a refuge.. describing a high place, as atop a mountain, that is safe from the enemy because it provides strong security and sure defense.

The phrase they that know thy name refers to those who had a personal, intimate relationship with God.

They were the ones who would trust in God alone.

Understanding Jesus as our ultimate refuge motivates worship because He embodies God's care and protection.

In worship, we find confidence amidst tribulation, knowing our Savior sustains us.

This challenges us to trust God’s refuge, finding peace in His constant presence.

D. God Deserves Our Praise

Psalm 9:11–12 (KJV 1900)

Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: Declare among the people his doings. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

v. 11) Those who intimately know God were entreated by David to sing praises to the Lord.

This God who intervenes on behalf of his people, delivering them from harm, must be worshiped with loud singing.

So fervent should their praise be that David invited God’s people to declare among the people his doings.

Even the unbelieving peoples of the nations should hear this celebration of God’s greatness, leading to their salvation.

v.12) God avenges the innocent blood of his people which is shed by these ungodly nations.

He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted who trust in him; instead, he rescues the humble from harm.

remembering God's past deliverances helps reinforce our trust and fuels our worship,

This empowers us to face current challenges through gratitude.

In Christ, we celebrate the ultimate victory as the fulfillment of all God's promises, encouraging us to live confidently in His faithfulness.

the psalmist begins with wholehearted praise and Proclaims past victories granted by God, then David breaks out in a Plea.

III. David’s Plea

Psalm 9:13-20

A. For God’s Rescue (Mercy)

Psalm 9:13–14 (KJV 1900)

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; Consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: That I may shew forth all thy praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Directly addressing God, David passionately cried, Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me. He found himself surrounded by his many foes who were persecuting him. Then he cries out, Thou that lifest me up from the gates of death:

He was standing at the doorsteps of death in life-threatening dangers and he desperately needed God to rescue him.

David knew that it was only God that could save him.

This urgent appeal for divine deliverance was offered so David might shew forth all thy praise and rejoice in your salvation at the gates of the Daughter of Zion.

He would be able to offer public praise in Jerusalem to her citizens, he reasoned, if God would rescue him from these oppressing nations.

B. For the Heathen’s Reward

Psalm 9:15–17 (KJV 1900)

The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: In the net which they hid is their own foot taken. The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.

Contrasting the end of the wicked and the godly, David declared, The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they had made:.

Like a hunter who digs a hole to catch an animal, they had fallen prey to their own evil devices.

They were self-destructing as if caught in the net they have hidden … ensnared by the work of their hands.

Their doom was sure as the wicked return to the grave, dying without God.

These vast multitudes who would be defeated were all the nations that forget God.

C. For God to Remember

Psalm 9:18 KJV 1900

For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: The expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

On the contrary, the needy are not self-reliant but God-trusting.

They will be remembered by God.

It may appear that these needy were forsaken by God, but they were not forgotten.

Their hope of eternal life was rooted in God, and they would never perish.

D. For Jesus’s Return

Psalm 9:19–20 (KJV 1900)

Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: Let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O Lord: That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

David pleads with God to arise and let man not prevail.

This is a prophetic look at the return of Christ to judge the nations.

the destiny of the wicked serves as a reminder of God's ultimate justice, which will be fulfilled at Christ's return.

This emphasizes the reality of judgment and redemption, which inspires worship that is fueled by reverence and hope.

Worshiping God assures us of His triumph over evil, urging us to trust and reverence Him today.

Summary:

Psalm 9 is a powerful declaration of praise and thanksgiving to God for His justice and faithfulness.

David expresses gratitude for God's mighty deeds,

recounting past victories and affirming trust in God's continued protection and guidance.

Worship is not merely an act we perform; it is an acknowledgment of God's character and His works.

Through worship, we can deepen our understanding of God's justice and mercy, which empowers us to face adversity with confidence and joy.

Christ embodies the true refuge and deliverance that Psalm 9 points to.

His life, death, and resurrection fulfill the promises of God's ultimate justice and restoration, making worship an even more profound reflection of gratitude and trust.

True worship encompasses a deep acknowledgment of God's greatness and past faithfulness, encouraging us to trust Him in every circumstance as we celebrate His justice and mercy in Christ.

* Some thoughts and points came from Steven Lawson, Psalms 1–75, ed. Max Anders, Holman Old Testament Commentary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2004), 11:56.