FRAMING THE PSALMS: PSALM 9

Aids to introduce the psalms sung in worship.

John Brown of Haddington, 18th century Scottish theologian.

This psalm was, perhaps, composed on the occasion of his son Absalom's death, 2 Sam. 18; or on the occasion of the death of Goliath the champion and duellist of Gath, 1 Sam. 17. We have in it,

(1.) David's hearty thanksgivings to God, for his pleading of his cause against his and his country's enemies, and for giving him a complete victory over them, ver. 1-6, and his excitement of others to join with him therein, ver. 11-12.

(2). His triumph in God as the righteous judge of the world, protector of his people, and the destroyer of his implacable enemies, ver. 7-10, 15-18.

(3.) His requests for further grounds of praising God as his own deliverer, and the confounder of his enemies, ver. 13-14, 19-20.

While I sing these subjects, let me chiefly consider the blessings of redemption, the victories of my Redeemer over sin, death, and hell; and believe that I, through him, shall be more than a conqueror. Let the ruin of transgressors effectually admonish me to stand in awe of God, and at the furthest distance from sin.

John Cumming, 19th century Scottish Presbyterian.

David lifts up this expressive anthem of praise to God, 1, and blesses him for the aids which he had experienced in wrestling with natural and with spiritual enemies.

In verses 5 to 10, he declares that all his fellow members of the body of Christ shall obtain similar support and deliverance.

In verses 11, 12, he calls upon the nations of believers to unite with him in praising the Lord.

In verses 13, 14, he implores for himself the pity and the interposition of his heavenly Father. In the remaining part of the Psalm he triumphs in the prospect of the establishment of the kingdom of Christ on the ruins of all his enemies, and adds his prayer to this effect.

Let us sing this Psalm, rejoicing in the general overtures of deliverance made in Jesus, and praying that we ourselves may be personally delivered from the guilt and the power of sin.

William Romaine, 18^th century evangelical Anglican

This psalm treats of the wonderful work of God in delivering Christ from all his enemies, and from death especially. A right understanding of this deliverance, and faith in it, will lead us to praise God for it at all times : Because he will give us reason to sing of our own deliverance through him from all our sins and foes and miseries : And this will keep our hearts in tune to praise the Lord,