Psalm 9

vs 1

I wonder who David actually told of all God's wonderful deeds? I guess as king he probably entertained a few foreign dignitaries and the like. You know, when he wasn't killing them.

vs 2

For a tune called "Death of the Son", I think David's picked some pretty cheery words. His praises, clearly, go to God, and his gladness and joy come from God. So far, this is because of God's wonderful deeds, although not yet any in particular.

vs 3

The defeat of the enemies of Israel, which was promised by God, was fulfilled under David. It wasn't easy though - which I am sure made it all the more praiseworthy when it finally happened.

vs 4

In David's eyes, God has judged justly, upholding David and his cause as king as righteous. And, pretty much, he was.

vs 5

While the first half of this is true - many nations did fall under the feet of Israel's armies, the second half is a little poetic - I mean, we still know their names. They're recorded in the Bible. This could also mean, though, that God has turned his back on these other nations - that God's judgement of them was one of finality. Not sure how much I'd agree with that. I think it's more poetic.

vs 6

Again, if their memory has perished, how does David know about them? Interestingly, I wonder if this could be a use of the prophetic perfect tense... apparently sometimes in Hebrew they write prophetic stuff about the future in the past tense, because they are so sure it's going to happen.

Apart from that, look at what David is praising God for - being a God of justice! For judging those who are wicked. We want God to bring the wicked to salvation, but not all will come. So God must judge them, and he should be praised for that.

vs 7

God has put himself in the position of judge, because he is the one who can do it justly and righteously. So he is prepared to do it.

vs 8

Here's the point about righteousness and equity being why God is a good judge.

vs 9

I don't know that we also see this as the role of a good judge, but David certainly does - the righteous judge must be especially attuned to the needs of the oppressed. Often those oppressed by powerful people have no other recourse bar legal. A judge must be aware so as not to allow such oppression to become institutionalised through lack of his action.

God is indeed that - even in times of trouble, he can be relied upon like the strong walls of a fortress. Because remember - you don't really rely on the strong walls of the fortress unless the times are troubled.

vs 10

What a strong verse. God never forsakes those who seek him. David knew the truth of that all too well, and he lived it out. You can really tell when someone has that kind of faith in God.