Psalm 9
In a previous note on personal study of Psalm 9, I wrote, “God, the completely righteous and Holy, rules over all people and kingdoms. Dissimilar to human leaders and rulers, He cares for the poor and oppressed and judges the wicked harshly.”
Psalm 9 is a humbling Psalm that opens with a beautiful avowal of gratitude. David will give thanks to God and share God’s works to others. David will find joy in God and will worship through singing. Psalm 9:1-2 are not only a declaration of what David is doing and will do, but it is also a statement of spiritual habit. Committing these verses to memory and action can be transformative for our attitude, emotions, and the way we treat others. No matter what occurs to me today, I will give thanks to God. No matter how bad I feel, I will be glad in God. This is not a denial of hard circumstances, but a discipline of joy in the Lord and a memory of the magnificence of God regardless of what is happening to me.
After these opening two verses, Psalm 9 should humble us. We read of God’s judgment on the wicked and also comprehend the extend of God’s judgement. Psalm 9:5 and 6 inform us that God will even erase the memory of the wicked. The wicked will be judged, and eternal glory and honor will be given to God (Psalm 9:7) while the wicked who opposed His truth and His ways will be forgotten.
However, Psalm 9:9 begins to show us the heart of God. We have learned that God will cause the wicked to be forgotten, but He is safe, loving, and protecting for those who are oppressed. Throughout the Scriptures, God exhibits care and concern for the mistreated, outcast, and marginalized. In Psalm 9, He will judge the wicked and protect the oppressed. In contrast to the wicked that God will cause to be forgotten, God, Himself, does not forget those who are weak, poor, and needy (Psalm 9:12).
David turns his attention to the nations and kingdoms of the world in Psalm 9:15-16. As we read these verses, we see that very little trust is placed in nations to what is right and just. The Psalm closes in Psalm 9:20 to exclaim that the nations are not as big a deal as they think. Psalm 9 communicates another consistent certainty of the entire Old and New Testament. God can raise up a kingdom or nation, and He can eliminate a kingdom or nation. God is not impressed by any nation or leader. He is stronger, more righteous, more just, and will last forever while the nations will come and go, and in comparison, to God, they are brief.
Psalm 9 concludes with a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of human power and the eternal reign of God. Nations and rulers may believe themselves to be mighty, but in comparison to God, they are fleeting. God alone is perfectly just, and His rule is everlasting. This Psalm challenges us to shift our trust away from earthly powers and instead place our confidence in God, who defends the weak and judges the wicked. As we reflect on Psalm 9, we should be humbled by God’s justice, comforted by His care for the oppressed, and moved to cultivate a life of gratitude and worship. No matter what happens in the world around us, God remains on His throne, and His righteousness will prevail.