The Bible — World English Bible

Psalm 9

In brief

Psalm 9 is a song of praise by David celebrating the justice of God. After a victory over his enemies, he rejoices with all his heart: the LORD reigns, sits as a righteous judge and upholds his cause. God is a refuge for the oppressed and does not forsake those who seek him. David calls us to declare his deeds, then asks for his mercy and calls on God to arise so that the nations know they are only men.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-6Praise with all your heart the God who upholds my cause
  2. v. 7-12The LORD reigns, judges with righteousness and protects the oppressed
  3. v. 13-16Have mercy on me: God brings justice
  4. v. 17-20The needy are not forgotten, arise, LORD

1I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works.

2I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence.

4For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.

5You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.

7But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.

8He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.

9Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.

10Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.

12For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted.

13Have mercy on me, Yahweh. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death,

14that I may show all of your praise. I will rejoice in your salvation in the gates of the daughter of Zion.

15The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.

16Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands.

17The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.

18For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

19Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.

20Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men.

Key verses

Verse 1-2
I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

David begins with praise, before speaking of his enemies. He decides to tell of God's wonders with all his heart and to make him his joy.

Verse 9
Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.

God is presented as a refuge for the oppressed, especially in times of trouble. It is in hardship that this refuge is discovered.

Verse 10
Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.

To know the name of God is to know his character, and that is what makes trust possible. The verse affirms that God does not forsake those who seek him.

Verse 12
For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted.

God remembers the afflicted and does not forget their cry. The suffering of the lowly does not escape him.

Verse 18
For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

The needy will not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor will not perish. A word for those who have waited a long time.

Bible verses to meditate on

What the sermons say

Frequently asked questions about Psalm 9

What does Psalm 9 mean?

It is praise to God for his justice. David rejoices because the LORD reigns, judges with righteousness and defends the oppressed. The psalm blends gratitude for a past deliverance with prayer for what lies ahead: God does not forget the afflicted, and he is called to arise and bring justice.

Who wrote Psalm 9?

The title attributes it to David and mentions a tune called Muth-labben (Death of the Son), whose exact meaning is debated. Tradition sees it as thanksgiving after a victory. Psalm 10 is closely related and probably formed a single composition with it originally, which the Septuagint suggests.

How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 9?

Begin with verses 1 and 2: thank God with all your heart, naming his blessings. Then lay before him an injustice or a distress, relying on verses 9 and 10. Finish with verse 18, entrusting to him those who have waited a long time.

Articles quoting Psalm 9

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World English Bible translation — public domain.