Psalms Chapter 9

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 20 Verses

What is Psalms 9 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works.
2I will be glad and exult in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.
3When mine enemies turn back, They stumble and perish at thy presence.
4For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou sittest in the throne judging righteously.
5Thou hast rebuked the nations, thou hast destroyed the wicked; Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6The enemy are come to an end, they are desolate for ever; And the cities which thou hast overthrown, The very remembrance of them is perished.
7But Jehovah sitteth [as king] for ever: He hath prepared his throne for judgment;
8And he will judge the world in righteousness, He will minister judgment to the peoples in uprightness.
9Jehovah also will be a high tower for the oppressed, A high tower in times of trouble;
10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; For thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
11Sing praises to Jehovah, who dwelleth in Zion: Declare among the people his doings.
12For he that maketh inquisition for blood remembereth them; He forgetteth not the cry of the poor.
13Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah; Behold my affliction [which I suffer] of them that hate me, Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death;
14That I may show forth all thy praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made: In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16Jehovah hath made himself known, he hath executed judgment: The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17The wicked shall be turned back unto Sheol, Even all the nations that forget God.
18For the needy shall not alway be forgotten, Nor the expectation of the poor perish for ever.
19Arise, O Jehovah; let not man prevail: Let the nations be judged in thy sight.
20Put them in fear, O Jehovah: Let the nations know themselves to be but men. Selah Psalm 10

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“I will praise [thee], O Lord, with my whole, heart, etc.] This is what is called in the New Testament making melody in the heart, or singing with grace in the heart, (<490519>Ephesians 5:19 <510316>Colossians 3:16); and yet does not signify mere mental singing, but vocal singing, the heart joining therein; for the word here used for praise signifies to confess, to speak out, to declare openly the praises of God in the public congregation, as David elsewhere determines to do, (<19B101>Psalm 111:1 138:1,2); the heart ought to, be engaged in every, part of divine service and worship, whether in preaching or in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Upon Muthlabben, or, after the manner according to "death to the Son," by which some song was known, to whose air or melody the musician is directed to perform this Psalm. This mode of denoting a song by some prominent word or words is still common (compare Psa 22:1). The Psalmist praises God for deliverance from his enemies and celebrates the divine government, for providing security to God's people and punishment to the wicked. Thus encouraging himself, he prays for new occasions to recount God's mercies, and confident of His continued judgment on the wicked and vindication of the oppressed, he implores a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“I will praise thee, O Lord - That is, in view of the merciful interpositions referred to in the psalm Psalms 9:3-5, and in view of the attributes of God’s character which had been displayed on that occasion Psalms 9:7-12. With my whole heart - Not with divided affection, or with partial gratitude. He meant that all his powers should be employed in this service; that he would give utterance to his feelings of gratitude and adoration in the loftiest and purest manner possible. I will show forth - I will recount or narrate - to wit, in this song of praise. All thy marvelous works - All his works or doings fitted to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 3
“Turned back - Put to flight. Psalms 9:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Pss 9–10 This hymn celebrates the Lord’s kingship and victory over evil. It might also serve as a response to the laments of Pss 3–7. Some believe that Pss 9 and 10 should be read together as one psalm in two parts because Ps 9 includes a title and Ps 10 does not, and although several letters are missing or inverted, the two psalms connect as an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet (other such alphabetic acrostics are Pss 25, 34, 37, 111–112, 119, 145). The ancient Greek and Latin translations treat 9 and 10 as one. 9:title This psalm was originally sung to the tune “Death of the Son,” but that tune is no longer…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“praise: Psa 7:17, Psa 34:1-4, Psa 103:1, Psa 103:2, Psa 145:1-3, Psa 146:1, Psa 146:2; Ch1 29:10-13; Isa 12:1; Heb 13:15; Rev 5:9-14 with my: Psa 86:12, Psa 111:1, Psa 138:1; Luk 10:27 show: Psa 9:14, Psa 51:15, Psa 106:2; Ch1 16:12, Ch1 16:24; Isa 43:21, Isa 60:6; Rev 15:3 Psalms 9:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“(Heb.: 9:2-3) In this first strophe of the Psalm, which is laid out in tetrastichs-the normative strophe-the alphabetical form is carried out in the fullest possible way: we have four lines, each of which begins with א. It is the prelude of the song. The poet rouses himself up to a joyful utterance of Jahve's praise. With his whole heart ( Psa 138:1), i.e., all his powers of mind and soul as centred in his heart taking part in the act, will he thankfully and intelligently confess God, and declare His wondrous acts which exceed human desire and comprehension ( Psa 26:7); he will rejoice and be glad in Jahve, as…”
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