PRAISE FOR GOD’S ULTIMATE JUSTICE

DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 9:1–12 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Psalm 9; Ecclesiastes 3:16–22

PSALM 9:1–12 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.

I. Against the Wicked ( PSALM 9:1–6)

A. Praise the Lord (vv. 1–2)

1a. I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;

The word translated give thanks is rendered in terms of praise elsewhere, and there is much overlap in their meanings (compare Psalm 100:4, lesson 5; also see 2 Samuel 22:50). Ancient Hebrews associated the heart with one’s intellect—the center of moral decision-making. So this psalm is not so much stressing an emotional reaction (the way we would if singing “from the heart”) as much as emphasizing the deliberate choice to praise God with the totality of the psalmist’s being (compare Deuteronomy 4:29).

So in other words giving thanks to God with all your heart for once again for something he has done for you but this time its giving thanks to God from the heart and from the heart its more like giving in with all you got and with all the thought thats in you from feelings of goodness like when you your better half gave you that gift that you’ve been hoping for a long time and when you thank her or him you just want to go and give her the biggest hug and kiss and show that you really mean what you are saying a heart felt thank you .... but you know that its from the HEART .. same thing when thanking GOD give with all your HEART...... and we may be able to hug and kiss God but we can have that same tought in mind! when giving thanks to God and to our Savior for saving us .

1b. I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. To the upreach action of “will give thanks” in the previous half-verse, the psalmist adds one of outreach: will tell of, indicates his intention to bear public witness. The sweeping basis of all your wonderful deeds undoubtedly includes the facts of creation ( Genesis 1) and providential favor on Israel (example: Deuteronomy 4:34). Though we often use words such as wonderful and awesome in exaggerated or overstated ways, it’s quite difficult to do so with regard to God’s acts! Think of the scientific laws he created to keep our world functioning and habitable. We take these for granted in daily life. But if we stop to ponder them, we will be stunned to realize(again!) what God has done for us—both for humanity in general and us in particular. now will be the time for the whole world to know about the goodness of what God has done for us when God has done something good in your life its like testifying only now you have to tell the world so we are now telling everyone that we come know of Gods wondrous work he has done for me or us. like that saying in Issac Hayes song where he said i will stand on top of mt everrest and proudly tell the whole world how much he loves her. from( i stand accused). so must we do about God and Jesus for all of their great works. Amen

2a. I will be glad and rejoice in you

Be glad and rejoice are parallel terms; the underlying Hebrew words are also found together in 1 Samuel 2:1; Psalms 5:11; 68:3. Such repetition made it easier to remember songs. That was especially important in a culture where the average person may not have been able to read and write. Such repetition therefore was not mere redundancy.

see what i mean when i said that we have to always repeat ourselves to God over and over again on how great full we are for the things he has done you see repetition is how to get a point across just keep saying it over and over again and again so that it can be understood by everyone. so maybe you wont have to hears what did you say . so don't be afraid to say it more then once say it as much as you want because you are happy for the things that God has done for you in your life i know that i am.

2b. I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Using the word name as the psalmist does here was often a respectful way of referring to God ,himself (examples: 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 92:1). The name that God revealed to Moses and to Israel was Yahweh (Exodus 3:14), which is behind the designation “Lord” in Psalm 9:1a, above. This name tells us something about God: he is unchanging. What he has revealed about himself is who he is (compare Mark 12:26–27; 1 John 4:8). By calling God Most High, David acknowledged that this God is above all other so-called gods, earthly kings, and whatever threat may confront God’s people. Melchizedek, king of Salem, was the first recorded to use this honorific for God (Genesis 14:18–20). This same Melchizedek was honored as a precursor to Christ (Hebrews 7:1, 11, 17; compare Psalm 110:4). Only this God could enact the plan of salvation that is the source of our greatest joy and hope.

now we get why the phrase o most high is used here in this phrase because they are refering to God being above all and when i say all imean all from presidents to Kings and queens no one is higher then god just jesus who sits on the right hand of God not higher but equal to because they are one ..............so praise his name in the most high above all he looks down as we look up . glory be his name........

B. Fall of Enemies (vv. 3–6)

3. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. The psalmist now introduces battle imagery. Given the psalm’s attribution to David (see Lesson Context: Superscription), the enemies we are meant to think of were likely David’s own, of which there were plenty. The Amalekites (example: 1 Samuel 30), the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:6–7), and the Philistines (example: 5:17–25) all suffered defeats because God was with David. Those idolatrous nations perished on account of God’s interceding on Israel’s behalf. This more literal translation of you makes obvious the respectful way David referred to God himself (see Psalm 9:2b, above). God directed mighty waters (Exodus 15:10), toppled walls (Joshua 6:16, 20), hurled hailstones (10:11), and extended daylight (10:1–15). tell me God isn’t great look at all he did for his people Israel and for King David when he was in battle . God gave him the victory just like he did for the isrealites he can and still do for us because of our savior Jesus the Christ . thanks be given to God for bringing us through the enemies we face daily and those enemies are from the evil ones of the world today. our enemies will also turn back . and they will stumble and fall from the mighty hand of our GOD .

4. For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.

Whichever battles David referred to weren’t about expanding his own power or padding his coffers. These are causes that no king should assume to be pleasing to God. God champions only a right and a cause if these things are pursued from right motives and with just action. Proper verdicts must be rendered because God himself is a just judge. Though God sometimes maintains a person because he or she is righteous, it is more precise to say that God has achieved the good that the righteous person represents. In other words, because the accused represents God’s cause in God’s way, God is certain to judge in favor of that person for being in the right.

Just think that if we do now just keep our faith in GOD and put our trust in him no matter what we are trying to do no matter what comes in our way to try to destroy us we can let go and let God because he will fight our battle for us and he will judge them accordingly so we dont have to judge them our God will do the judging and he will fight for us and our cause . i like that saying just turn it over to God and he will do the rest. for he is our mighty Judge not us just GOD .

5. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

The nations and the wicked are used as parallel terms here. The Hebrew words being translated occur together again in Psalm 9:17 (see also Jeremiah 25:31). This indicates that David was not writing about the Israelites’ own sins. While it is good to keep in mind that unholy people can lead God’s people astray, this must be balanced by remembering his concern for all peoples. Far from being a purely New Testament concern (example: Matthew 5:45; John 3:16), God’s intention to bless all nations is embedded in the covenant he made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3). David does not name his enemies, nor need he do so. When a person is in God’s protective presence, the size, nature, and names of enemies are irrelevant. This fact lends this psalm a universal appeal. Future generations can apply it to their own worship experiences. It also suggests that the name of the enemy has already been forgotten. the name of the enemy has already been forgotten .

now thats good news our enimies once we turn it over to God he will rebuked the nations and destroy the wicked and bloting out their names meaning they are not in the book of life they have been blotted out . lets look at this word Rebuke

What is rebuke meaning?

Rebuke is defined as to scold, blame or criticize in a sharp way. An example of rebuke is a parent yelling at a child for not keeping up with them while walking. YourDictionary definition and usage example. "Rebuke."Words form:rebukedrebukesrebuking See word origin Frequency:

An expression of strong disapproval. noun 28 8 To criticise harshly; to reprove. verb 15 5 To criticize (someone) sharply; reprimand. verb 14 6 To express sharp criticism regarding (an act, for example). verb 13 8 A sharp reprimand.

so we know now that once you are rebuked as a nation by God its a great chance you will be destroyed. so lets keep God on our side lets put God first in our lives Lets give God the respect and love he so richly deserves so once we go to him for anything we can rest assure that God is on our side always. thanks be to God .

Next week to finish.

6a. Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities;

Although David does not specify the enemies that are to suffer endless ruin, other texts suggest this might be a reference to the Amalekites (see Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:19). This marks a significant contrast between how God treats his people and how he treats the unrepentant of any nation. He makes no promise to save a remnant from nations like the Amalekites. When their wickedness reached a boiling point, God acted in righteous judgment. God’s people experience judgment differently, however. We undergo it as temporary discipline, meant to form us into the image of Christ (Hebrews 12:5–7, 11, quoting Proverbs 3:11– 12; compare Psalm 94:12; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). 6b. even the memory of them has perished. The idea here is that destruction of enemies will be so complete that no one will even remember them (compare Psalm 34:16). Graves are normally indicated with some kind of marker as a monument of remembrance, or memorial. The wicked won’t have even that.

MONUMENTS OF FAITH After more than 40 years, construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was finally completed in Moscow, Russia, in 1883. The church was a huge, beautiful structure. But when the communist government took over, it began eradicating Christianity systematically. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (ruling 1922–1952) ordered that the church be demolished, a plan carried out in 1931. The cathedral’s destruction was a symbol of the persecution Christians faced in communist Russia. After the fall of the communist government in the 1990s, the people of Moscow donated money for another church to be built on the site of the original. The cathedral, completed in 2000, again stands as a monument testifying to the faith of the people, a sign that the communist government failed to stamp out Christianity. God foils the plans of those who oppose him. He works to use our difficult things for his glory. What “ruins” are you hoping will be rebuilt into a monument of faith in your life?

Visual for Lesson 6. While discussing Psalm 9:9, have this posted as you ask for examples of places we seek safety instead of trusting God.

II. For the Oppressed

(PSALM 9:7–12) A. Celebrating God’s Judgment (vv. 7–8)

7. The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. In contrast to the wicked nations that are to be forgotten, the Lord reigns forever. His throne is the place from which he both judges and rules over all creation. God’s people must cling to him. They must not ally themselves with evil. Doing so puts them in danger of experiencing the judgment meant for the nations.

8. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. Judgment without righteousness yields injustice (Amos 5:12; etc.). Such a state of affairs is all too common. But God always judges with perfect equity (compare Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6), which is a model for us (Leviticus 19:15; 1 Timothy 5:21; James 2:1).

B. Seeking God’s Refuge (vv. 9–10)

9. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. This verse offers some interesting similarities to and differences from Psalm 10:1: “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” In Psalm 9:3–8, David was concerned with the fall of the unrighteous. Now in 9:9 the focus changes to address the reversal of fortune for the oppressed (compare 1 Samuel 2:8; Luke 1:52–55). The Hebrew word translated “oppressed” occurs only four times in the Old Testament: here and Psalms 10:18; 74:21; and Proverbs 26:28. But what kind of oppression is in view—or does it matter? One way of exploring this question is to examine what words are used to translate those four instances in the Greek version of the Old Testament, then see how the New Testament uses those words. When we do so, we conclude that the idea is usually along the lines of one’s lower-class status in life (compare Matthew 11:29; Luke 1:52; Romans 12:16; 2 Corinthians 7:6; 9:9; 10:1; James 1:9; 4:6; and 1 Peter 5:5). The rich and powerful want to keep it that way! This implies that powerful persons are oppressing the weak. The oppression they inflict or allow parallels the phrase in times of trouble (compare Psalms 10:1; 41:1; 59:16). But the refuge available in God carries the imagery of elevated terrain (compare 2 Samuel 22:3), the safest place to build a city. This psalm draws on “protection themes” seen prominently in the Law of Moses (example: Deuteronomy 24:14–22) and the books of prophecy (example: Hosea 6:6). Such themes carry over into the New Testament (Matthew 5:1–12; James 1:27; etc.). With such unified testimony across Scripture, Christians must be united in concern for the poor and oppressed. The church must not let political partisanship dictate its agenda. Instead, we must heed Scripture’s specific testimony regarding God’s concern for the poor, regardless of which directions the political winds are blowing.

10. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Those who know the Lord—really know his character and have experienced his goodness​—​will put their trust in him. They make choices that are in line with God’s will, not their own. To know Those who know the Lord—really know his character and have experienced his goodness​—​will put their trust in him. They make choices that are in line with God’s will, not their own.

in this sense is not a matter of mere belief in God’s existence (see James 2:19). Rather, it’s about making godly choices—choices that may seem foolish to the world (1 Corinthians 1:18–31). We follow a God whose ways are not those of humans (Isaiah 55:8–9). Such people actively seek God (Deuteronomy 4:29). Seeking God is not some sort of “I’ll know it when I see it” search for life’s meaning. Rather, it asks the question, “What does God want from me in this situation?” To answer such questions involves searching the Scriptures, where God has revealed his will for people. It’s about trusting the Spirit to aid in understanding and discernment. Seeking God means giving him control over the direction of our lives.

EXHAUSTION My friend’s sobs were so heavy that I could barely understand her. Hurrying to her house, I met her husband at the door. I found her sitting in the dark basement, tears running down her face. She began telling me all the hard things: none of her home repair projects were done, Thanksgiving plans had fallen through, her kids did not respect her, her parents would visit for Christmas and cause stress … Burdened by a load of anxiety and pain, she felt she could not make it through the upcoming holidays. “I’m just so tired, and I can’t seem to do anything right,” she told me. And I understood. As a wife and mom, I sometimes feel I make more mistakes than not. The weight of spiritual and emotional burdens seems too heavy. In times like those, Psalm 9:9–10 serves as a reminder: God is my refuge. When my strength is gone, he carries my burden. How do you show your trust that he will do the same for you?

C. Praise Again (vv. 11–12)

11. Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.

In response to God’s overthrowing the unrighteous and upholding those who trust him, David appropriately called the people once again to sing … praises. David had been addressing his own thanks to God (see Psalm 9:1–2, above). But here he explicitly invited the people to join in the praise of thanksgiving. Although the two imperatives here may sound quite generic, their application must have been in reaction to something specific. It doesn’t seem adequate to say that God does wonderful things and stop there. As with David, we should proclaim … what he has done. For the original audience, this could have included celebrating work that God had done in founding their nation, delivering them from their wilderness wandering, and granting the promised land. In the audience’s more recent memory, it probably included David’s military conquests. Zion, a synonym for Jerusalem, had been part of Jebusite territory until David captured it (2 Samuel 5:6–7). The mountain became associated with David’s palace and later with the temple (1 Kings 8:1; Psalm 2:6). The latter association links Zion closely to the Lord (see Psalms 20:2; 74:2).

12. For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

In celebrating his deliverance, David did not lose sight of who brought it about: God did. In avenging blood, God proved his concern for justice. He is a God who so values life that he both offers abundant life through Jesus (John 10:10) and requires a reckoning from those who destroy life (Genesis 4:10; 9:5–6). God never grows deaf to the cries of the afflicted. He will administer justice. Just as God heard when the Israelites cried to him from their slavery in Egypt (Exodus 2:23–25), so he hears all today who are held captive by violence, by injustice, by sin. But we must call on him in faith, trust, and repentance.

Conclusion A. The Answer to Oppression

Oppression comes in all shapes and sizes; it is a global epidemic. The God of Israel did not ignore oppression, and neither should his people of any era. But we must not be lured by the fearmongering ways of this world. Careful attention to Scripture is the answer. Only such study will yield a biblical view of oppression. Psalm 9 offers one small window in that regard. It shows us that those who know, trust, and seek the one true God have a powerful ally who fights for them. For Christians, this energizes us to spread the gospel; the accounts of the person and work of Jesus are ever new. But we need not stop with the events of Scripture. What wonders has God worked in our lives? Have we grown tired of telling those stories? Are we even experienced in telling those stories? May we boldly proclaim the God we know and trust so that our hope may indeed become the hope of this world.

B. Prayer

Lord, thank you for all the reasons we have to praise you! We thank you for hearing the cries of your oppressed people; open our ears that we may hear them as well. Embolden us to proclaim the gospel to others so all the world may join us in praising you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. C. Thought to Remember Seek, trust, and know the righteous God of justice.

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