Psalms 9

Ps 9:1-20.

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

Ps 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 prompt and efficient manifestation of the divine

sovereignty.

1. Heartfelt gratitude will find utterance.

3-5. When . . . are turned back--It is the result of God's power

alone. He, as a righteous Judge

(Ps 7:11),

vindicates His people. He rebukes by acts as well as words

(Ps 6:1; 18:15),

and so effectually as to destroy the names of nations as well as

persons.

6. Literally, "As to the enemy finished are his ruins for ever. Thou

[God] hast destroyed," &c.

(1Sa 15:3, 7; 27:8, 9).

The wicked are utterly undone. Their ruins shall never be repaired.

7, 8. God's eternal possession of a throne of justice is contrasted

with the ruin of the wicked.

9, 10. The oppressed, and all who know Him

(Ps 5:3; 7:1),

find Him a sure refuge.

11. (Compare

Ps 2:6; 3:4).

12. for blood--that is, murders

(Ps 5:6),

including all the oppressions of His people.

maketh inquisition--(compare

Ge 9:5).

He will avenge their cause.

13. gates--or, "regions."

of death--Gates being the entrance is put for the bounds.

14. gates . . . Zion--The enclosure of the city (compare

Ps 48:12;

Isa 23:12),

or, church, as denoted by this phrase contrasted with that of death,

carries out the idea of exaltation as well as deliverance. Signal

favors should lead us to render signal and public thanks.

15, 16. The undesigned results of the devices of the wicked prove

them to be of God's overruling or ordering, especially when those

results are destructive to the wicked themselves.

16. Higgaion--means "meditation," and, combined with Selah, seems

to denote a pause of unusual solemnity and emphasis (compare

Ps 3:2).

Though Selah occurs seventy-three times, this is the only case in

which Higgaion is found. In the view which is given here of the

retribution on the wicked as an instance of God's wise and holy

ordering, we may well pause in adoring wonder and faith.

17. shall be turned--or, "shall turn," retreating under God's

vengeance, and driven by Him to the extreme of destruction, even hell

itself. Those who forget God are classed with the depraved and openly

profane.

18. (Compare

Ps 13:1-6).

the needy--literally, "poor," as deprived of anything; hence miserable.

expectation of the poor--or, "meek," "humble," made so by affliction.

19. Arise--(compare

Ps 4:7).

let not man--

(Ps 8:4).

let . . . be judged--and of course condemned.

20. By their effectual subjection, make them to realize their frail

nature

(Ps 8:4),

and deter them from all conceit and future rebellion.