Psalm 9 Study Notes

9:11 Sing and proclaim are parallel commands indicating the responsibility of those who know God and his works to tell others about him (30:4; 1Ch 16:8; Is 12:4).

9:12 Bloodshed is literally “bloods”; it is used in a phrase describing the avenging of murder (Gn 9:5; 42:22; Ezk 33:6).

9:13-14 The plea in v. 13 has a purpose, which is to declare all your praises. This further expands the commands in v. 11 and shows how the psalmist’s deliverance will be used to tell others about God’s goodness. Rescue from the gates of death will allow him to once again enter the gates of Daughter Zion. This description of Jerusalem appears only here in the Psalms, but it is not uncommon in other books, especially Isaiah and Lamentations. It refers to more than the city itself, including its inhabitants as well.

9:15-16 The idea of enemies suffering the same fate that they had planned for someone else is found in other psalms (7:15-16; 35:8; 57:6). In this case, the enemies are the nations who are being judged by God for their rebellion against his authority (2:1). This is clear from the parallel designation the wicked in v. 16. Higgaion comes perhaps from a Hebrew root meaning “murmur.” It might refer to the use of quieter instruments.

9:17-18 There is a play on the word forget in these verses. Those who forget God will go to Sheol, a place where they are forgotten (88:5), a concept similar to that of 9:5-6. In contrast, the future looks good for those who trust in the Lord but are currently being persecuted by others; the God of justice will see to it that they are remembered.

9:19-20 Rise up is a martial call for the Lord to act (see note at 7:6-8). More specifically, he is asked to put terror in them. This is not the “fear of the Lord” that is characteristic of those who believe in the Lord but the terror of people at the approach of an army (Dt 2:25; 11:25).