Psalm 9: A Psalm of public praise
Manage episode 461174846 series 3569974
Psalms 9 and 10 taken together are basically an acrostic pattern, where Psalm 9 stops in the Hebrew alphabet, Psalm 10 then picks up in the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 9 has a title, Psalm 10 does not. The Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate list Psalms 9 and 10 as one Psalm. There are other similarities between the two Psalms but differences also. Either way, Psalms 9 and 10 were intended to be a matched pair, companions, and to be read together.
Psalm 9 is primarily a Psalm of public praise and thanks for victory over gentile nations. In contrast, Psalm 10 is a lament over faithless Israelites who actions mimic the wicked actions of the gentile nations.
The worshipper intends to give thanks to God with his whole heart. Praising God is to be done with your inner self. He praises O Most High, El Elyon, the God above all other gods, including the gods of the gentiles. Genesis 14:18-19.
The Psalm recounts victory over the enemy gentile nations, who attacked Israel unjustly.
The Psalm celebrates the security of God’s righteous rule. God is on the throne to rule in justice and righteousness. To know God’s name, to put your trust in him, and to seek him are the marks of a godly righteous person.
God called Abraham and all Israel so that all of the peoples of the world would be blessed, and so the Israelites are to tell all the people of the world about the marvelous deeds of God.
A prayer for deliverance from present affliction. The gentile threat has passed, and this new situation has arisen. So, the Psalm looks back at past deliverance to ask for present deliverance.
The Psalm again celebrates God for protecting the needy and helpless by defeating the wicked.
One more time, a call for God to judge the gentile nations. Their plans are made by mere men, God’s plans are made by God.
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