Psalms 9

David giveth God thanks with great joy for the Victory which he had granted him against his enemies; he mocketh their vain-glory and spightful enterprises; praiseth Gods justice in having and punishing the wicked, and his faithfulness in delivering the godly oppressed, whom he inviteth to praise God, and prayeth for the continuance of Gods favour and the discomfiting of the power, and enterprise of his Enemies.

1. A Psalm of David, for the chief Song-master [See Psalm 4.on verse 1.] upon Muth Labben. [Some do hold this for the beginning, or, first words of a certain song well known in those days, according to the tune whereof this Psalm was to be sung and played. Others translate it thus; over, or, on the dying, or death of him that (stood) between (both) Understand thereby Goliah, who stood between the league of Israel, and the Philistines, reproaching and defying the hoast of Israel. See 1 Samuel 17:4. This is sure, that the Philistines in Davids time, both before and after Sauls death made many grievous wars against Israel. See 2 Samuel 5:17, &c. And 8.1, and 21.15. &c. Which David in this Psalm doth seem to have regard unto.]

2. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart; [Oth. I will praise (thee) LORD, etc.] I will rehearse all thy wonders.

3. I will rejoice in thee, and leap up for joy; I will sing Psalms to thy Name, O most high.

4. Because that mine Enemies are turned backwards. [i.e. Most shamefully and ignominiously put to slight] fallen and perished from thy face. [i.e. because of thy special presence, which thou hast manifested by thine assisting of me, whereby the Enemies were put to fright and flight, quite scattered and destroyed.]

5. For thou hast dispatched my right and my cause: [Understand the cause, which I had against mine Enemies] thou didst sit upon the throne. [Compare above Psalm 7.on verse 8. And below verse 8.] O Judge of Righteousness. [i.e. righteous Judge, or, judging righteousness, i.e. tighteously.]

6. Thou hast chidden the heathen, [As men shew forth their anger by chiding, and chasing. So Gods chiding implyeth as much as to manifest, and shew forth his anger, which commonly is accompanied with the curse and destruction of his Enemies. Compare Psalms 18:15,16. And 68.31. and 76.7. and 80.ver.17. and 119.21. Zach.3.2. Jud.ver.9. and great distress of his own people. See Psalms 80:17. Oth. destroy, consumed; rooted out.] undone the wicked, blotted out their name, for over and everymore.

7. O enemy are the desolations accomplished for ever? [viz. As thou hadst designed and imagined to compass it. This is jeeringly spoken in opposition to the Enemies spightful boasting. Oth. The Desolations of the Enemy are finished, etc.] and hast thou destroyed the Cities their remembrance is perished (with) them. [Nay (will he say) it is fallen out clean contrary, in so much, that the very remembrance of those enemies that were destroyed, is altogether perished with them. Oth. is their. (viz. Our Cities) remembrance perished with them?]

8. But the LORD shall sit for ever, [viz. As Judge; as appeareth by that which followeth] he hath prepared his throne for judgement.

9. And he himself shall judge the world in righteousness [i.e. The men that live in the world] and doom the nations in equities [Heb. as if one said, in rightnesses, or justinesses, straightnesses, i.e. very rightfully, reasonably, equitably. So Psalms 17:2. and 58.2. Isa.45.19.]

10. And the LORD shall be an high retreat for the oppressed: an high retreat in times of distress. [Heb. in times in distress, as below Psalms 10:1.]

11. And they that know thy name [i.e. Thee, according as thou hast revealed thy self in thy word and works. See Psalms 91:14. Isaiah 52:6.] shall trust in thee, because that thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. [i.e. (in this place) which with believing prayers call for help upon thee.]

12. Sing Psalms to the LORD, which dwelleth at Zion, [Where the Ark of the Covenant and Gods public worship is, where he doth shew his gracious presence in a special manner] publish his acts among the people [(inter populous)]

13. For he seeketh the bloud-sheddings, [heb. the bloods; in the plural (sanguine) i.e. killings and murdering. See Genesis 4.on v.10. and 9.5,6. Them he seeketh, for to punish. See 2 Chron.24.on 22.] he remembreth them; [see Genesis 8.on v.1.] he doth not forget the cry of the afflicted [Oth. of the meek; understand the cry which every one of them maketh, calling upon him for relief , as followeth, verse 14.]

14. Be gracious unto me, LORD. Look upon my misery, (put upon me) by my haters: thou that exaltest me out of the gates of death: [i.e. out of, or, from the murdering destroying Counsels, multitude and power of mine Enemies, Compare Matth.16.18. In the gates, the people were wont to have their meetings in those times, and there the Counsels, and Courts of Justice were kept; and in the same consisted the many powers and strength of the Cities. See Genesis 22.on verse 17. It may be understood likewise as if David meant to say, God had wonderfully delivered him, when he was as neer unto death, as one is to a City, being already entered the Gates. Compare Psalm.107.18. David had often been on the threshold of death, as one may say; but God plucked him still out of the midst of his Enemies, his own hand as it were, and exalted him afterwards to great honour.]

15. That I may relate all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion; [i.e. In the Congregation or Church of God at Jerusalem, which was situated upon and by the hill of Zion. See 2 Kings 19.on v.21.] that I may rejoice in thy salvation. [or I will rejoice.]

16. The Heathen are sunk in the pits, (which) they had made; their foot is taken in the net which they had hid.

17. The LORD is made known; [i.e. Famous, reowned, glorified, because of the acts of his righteousness; whereof in the sequel. Compare Psalm 74.on verse 5.] he hath done right; the wicked is ensnared in the work of his hands: Higgajon, Sela! [the word Higgajon doth signify, consinderation, meditation. The Prophet seemeth to imply, that such judgements of God, as he had been relating, ought to be considered and pondered, with singular attention. Others hold it to be the name, or mark of a certain tune, or peculair strain of Music, for the rowzing or quickening of attention. See Psalms 92:4. and of Sela, Psalm.3. verse 3.]

18. The ungodly shall turn back unto hell: [i.e. unto destruction both of body and soul. Of the Hebrew word school, see Gen.37.on v.35.] all God-forgetting heathen [not heeding his judgements, but recklesly going on in their wicked ways and purposes, whether they be heathen indeed, or bastard Israelites which are not better then the uncircumcised, and from God estranged heathen people.]

19. For the needy shall not be always forgetten, (nor) the expectation of the afflicted lost for ever.

20. Arise; O LORD, [See Psa.3.on v.8.] let not man strengthen himself: [he doth very elegantly here set the frailty or wretchedness (in the word enosh) and the strength of his Enemies one against the other, as if he said, thou shall never give way, O LORD, that a wretched man shall domineer thus, and brave it before thy face, as mine and thine enemies design it. See the next verse, and Psa.10.18.] let the heathen be judged before thy face.

21. O LORD let fear fiese on them; [Heb. Put them fear, i.e. put them in fear] let the heathen know (that) they are men; [See Psa.8.on v.5. Heb. A man, (enosh) i.e. that every one of them is but a frail, wretched man.]