Psalms9

New Living Translation

Study

TranslationKJV WEB ASV ESV NIV NASB NKJV NLT

¹ I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

² I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

³ My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when you appeared.

⁴ For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness.

⁵ You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever.

⁶ The enemy is finished, in endless ruins; the cities you uprooted are now forgotten.

⁷ But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne.

⁸ He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.

⁹ The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

¹⁰ Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

¹¹ Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.

¹² For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.

¹³ Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death.

¹⁴ Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.

¹⁵ The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set.

¹⁶ The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds. Quiet Interlude

¹⁷ The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.

¹⁸ But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.

¹⁹ Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Judge the nations!

²⁰ Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let the nations know they are merely human. Interlude

Study

Psalms 9

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 9. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: David praises God for protecting his people. (1–10). And for cause to praise him. (11–20).

vv1-10

If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the Redeemer ought to be the triumphs of the redeemed. The almighty power of God is that which the strongest and stoutest of his enemies are no way able to stand before. We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth, and that with him there is no unrighteousness. His people may, by faith, flee to him as their Refuge, and may depend on his power and promise for their safety, so that no real hurt shall be done to them. Those who know him to be a God of truth and faithfulness, will rejoice in his word of promise, and rest upon that. Those who know him to be an everlasting Father, will trust him with their souls as their main care, and trust in him at all times, even to the end; and by constant care seek to approve themselves to him in the whole course of their lives. Who is there that would not seek him, who never hath forsaken those that seek Him?

vv11-20

Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has saved us from spiritual and eternal death, we may thence hope, that in all our distresses he will be a very present help to us. The overruling providence of God frequently so orders it, that persecutors and oppressors are brought to ruin by the projects they formed to destroy the people of God. Drunkards kill themselves; prodigals beggar themselves; the contentious bring mischief upon themselves: thus men's sins may be read in their punishment, and it becomes plain to all, that the destruction of sinners is of themselves. All wickedness came originally with the wicked one from hell; and those who continue in sin, must go to that place of torment. The true state, both of nations and of individuals, may be correctly estimated by this one rule, whether in their doings they remember or forget God. David encourages the people of God to wait for his salvation, though it should be long deferred. God will make it appear that he never did forget them: it is not possible he should. Strange that man, dust in his and about him, should yet need some sharp affliction, some severe visitation from God, to bring him to the knowledge of himself, and make him feel who and what he is.

Key Words

choirmasterH5329Hebrew

נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent

PsalmH4210Hebrew

מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes

DavidH1732Hebrew

דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse

give thanksH3034Hebrew

יָדָה: physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)

wholeH3605Hebrew

כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

heartH3820Hebrew

לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything

recountH5608Hebrew

סָפַר: properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate

wonderfulH6381Hebrew

פָּלָא: properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

gladH8055Hebrew

שָׂמַח: probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

exultH5970Hebrew

עָלַץ: to jump for joy, i.e. exult

Open the full AI study