Psalms 9

13. gates--or, "regions."
of death-- Gates being the entrance is put for the bounds.

14. gates . . . Zion--The enclosure of the city (compare Psalms 48:12 , Isaiah 23:12 ), or, church, as denoted by this phrase contrasted with that of death, carries out the idea of exaltation as well as deliverance. Signal favors should lead us to render signal and public thanks.

15, 16. The undesigned results of the devices of the wicked prove them to be of God's overruling or ordering, especially when those results are destructive to the wicked themselves.

16. Higgaion--means "meditation," and, combined with Selah, seems to denote a pause of unusual solemnity and emphasis (compare Psalms 3:2 ). Though Selah occurs seventy-three times, this is the only case in which Higgaion is found. In the view which is given here of the retribution on the wicked as an instance of God's wise and holy ordering, we may well pause in adoring wonder and faith.

17. shall be turned--or, "shall turn," retreating under God's vengeance, and driven by Him to the extreme of destruction, even hell itself. Those who forget God are classed with the depraved and openly profane.

18. (Compare Psalms 13:1-6 ).
the needy--literally, "poor," as deprived of anything; hence miserable.
expectation of the poor--or, "meek," "humble," made so by affliction.

19. Arise--(compare Psalms 4:7 ).
let not man--( Psalms 8:4 ).
let . . . be judged--and of course condemned.

20. By their effectual subjection, make them to realize their frail nature ( Psalms 8:4 ), and deter them from all conceit and future rebellion.