Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-2
st. 2 = vv. 3-4
st. 3 = vv. 5-6
st. 4 =vv. 7-8
st. 5 = vv.9-10 st.
6 = vv. 11-12
st. 7 = vv. 13-14
st. 8 = vv. 15-16
st. 9 = vv. 17-18
st. 10 = vv. 19-20
Psalm 9 contains hints that it was originally composed by or for a king in Israel who was under attack (w. 3-6, 13-14). Praise predominates, but it is offered in the context of a prayer for deliverance. The psalmist begins with a vow to praise the LORD for his wonders (st. 1) and quickly moves to praise of God's past defense against enemies and for their defeat (st. 2-3). The security of God's throne and God's righteous rule over the world (st. 4) and the sure refuge the LORD provides under times of attack (st. 5) prompt additional praise and stir a call for the people to honor the Lord’s unfailing attention to those who rely on him (st. 6). The psalmist voices our prayer for deliverance from the threat of enemies (st. 7) and our confession that they will suffer the very evil they perpetrate against the LORD's anointed and his people (st. 8-9). The psalm ends in triumphant hope with a prayer asking God to show the enemies how powerless and vulnerable they are before him (st. 10).
The versification (altered) is from The Book of Psalms for Singing (1973) produced by the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, a denomination that limits its congregational song to unaccompanied psalm singing.
Liturgical Use:
Celebration of God's victory over enemies; as a prayer when the church reflects on or experiences the hostility of the present evil age.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
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