Psalms 9

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 9

1¶ To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise [thee], O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

2I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

3When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

4For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

5Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

6O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

7But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

8And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

9The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

11¶ Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

12When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

13Have 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:

14That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

15The heathen are sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

16The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

17The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God.

18For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall [not] perish for ever.

19Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

20Put them in fear, O LORD: [that] the nations may know themselves [to be but] men. Selah.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 9 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise to the LORD for His righteous judgment and deliverance from enemies. David celebrates God's eternal reign, His role as a refuge for the oppressed, and His unwavering justice against the wicked. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will not forget the humble and will ultimately judge all nations.

Medium Summary

Psalm 9 opens with David's heartfelt praise and thanksgiving to the LORD for His marvelous works and righteous judgment against his adversaries. He recounts how God has maintained his cause, rebuked the heathen, and destroyed the wicked, whose memory has perished. The psalmist proclaims the LORD's eternal reign and His prepared throne for judging the world in righteousness and uprightness. God is depicted as a refuge for the oppressed and a trustworthy haven for those who seek Him. David then calls for praises to the LORD who dwells in Zion, emphasizing that God remembers the humble and makes inquiry for justice. He pleads for personal mercy from his enemies, desiring to declare God's salvation, while affirming that the wicked are ensnared by their own devices and will face divine retribution, unlike the poor whose hope will not perish.

Long Summary

Psalm 9 begins with David's fervent declaration of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, vowing to recount all His marvelous works and rejoice in the Most High. He celebrates God's intervention, noting how enemies retreat and perish before His presence, for the LORD has upheld his right and cause, judging from an eternal throne. The psalmist highlights God's active role in rebuking the heathen and utterly destroying the wicked, whose very name is erased. He contrasts the fleeting nature of the enemy's destructions with the enduring sovereignty of the LORD, who has prepared His throne for perpetual judgment, administering justice to the world and its peoples with righteousness and uprightness. The psalm further portrays the LORD as a steadfast refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble, assuring that those who know His name will trust Him, for He never forsakes those who seek Him. A call is then issued to sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion, and to proclaim His deeds among the nations, emphasizing that He remembers the humble and makes inquisition for blood. David then makes a personal plea for mercy, acknowledging his suffering from those who hate him, and seeks deliverance from the "gates of death" so he may publicly declare God's praise and rejoice in His salvation within Zion. The psalmist reaffirms that the heathen are caught in their own traps, and the LORD's judgment is evident as the wicked are snared by their own actions. The psalm concludes with the stark declaration that the wicked and nations forgetting God will be turned into hell, while conversely, the needy and poor will not be perpetually forgotten, nor their expectation perish. Finally, David implores the LORD to arise, prevent man from prevailing, and judge the heathen, instilling fear in nations so they recognize their mortal limitations.

Core Concepts

  • Divine JudgmentThe LORD is depicted as the ultimate judge, sitting on an eternal throne, who righteously administers justice to the world, rebuking the heathen and destroying the wicked.
  • God as RefugeThe psalm emphasizes God's role as a secure refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble, assuring that those who trust Him will find solace and not be forsaken.
  • Praise and ThanksgivingDavid's primary response to God's works and deliverance is wholehearted praise and thanksgiving, expressing joy in the LORD and a desire to declare His marvelous deeds.
  • Consequences of WickednessThe wicked are shown to be ensnared by their own devices, ultimately facing destruction and being "turned into hell," highlighting the inevitable outcome of forgetting God.
  • Remembrance of the HumbleThe LORD is portrayed as one who remembers the humble and the needy, making inquiry for blood and ensuring that the expectation of the poor will not perish forever.
  • God's Eternal ReignThe psalm asserts the LORD's enduring sovereignty, stating that He "shall endure for ever" and has prepared His throne for perpetual, righteous judgment over all nations.