DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 9 David thanks the LORD for his just and righteous interventions on his behalf; and he asks for additional help in his present distress. In light of the references to Zion and to David's struggles with the heathen, the Psalm probably was composed after David conquered Zion, which was the stronghold of the Jebusite city of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7). And it may have been composed sometime during the wars with the surrounding nations, as recorded in 1 Samuel 5-10. The image above (called "The Falling Man") is of a victim falling into Hell (or death), a fate from which David prayed to be delivered (verse 13).

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Samuel 5:7. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 9 - #1. Psalm 9 - #2. ]

     David begins with wholehearted rejoicing and praise to the LORD for his marvelous works (1-2). Specifically, he is grateful that his enemies have turned back and that they will fall and perish before the LORD because the LORD has maintained the justice and righteousness of David's cause. The LORD rebuked the wicked, destroyed them, caused their name to perish, stopped their destructive acts, destroyed their cities, and removed the memory of them from the earth (3-6). By contrast, the LORD will endure forever upon his judgment throne. He will judge the world in righteousness. He will be a refuge for the oppressed and a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know him will trust him because he does not forsake those who seek him (7-10). David encourages those who hear him to sing praises to the LORD who dwells in Zion because he remembers his people and does not forget he cry of the humble (11-12). He then asks the LORD to have mercy on him, to deliver him from those who hate him, and to rescue him from the gates of death so that he might praise God and rejoice in his salvation (13-14). In contrast, David notes that the wicked have sunk into the pit which they made and are taken in their own snare. The LORD is know for such just reversals and for taking the wicked in their own wickedness (15-16). The wicked will be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God. The needy will not always be forgotten. The expectation of the poor will not perish forever (17-18). Therefore, David calls upon the LORD to arise, to not let man prevail, to judge the heathen, to put them in fear, and to make the nations to know that they are merely men (19-20).

A Psalm of David.

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
² I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

³ When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
⁴ For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
⁵ Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
⁶ O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

⁷ But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
⁸ And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
⁹ The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
¹⁰ And 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.
¹² When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

¹³ Have 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:
¹⁴ That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

¹⁵ The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
¹⁶ The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

¹⁷ The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
¹⁸ For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

¹⁹ Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
²⁰ Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]