Bible Commentaries
Psalms 9

Verse 1

Psalms 9:0 and Psalms 10:0 are linked together by an irregular Acrostic (see notes on pp. 721, 722, and App-63 ), beginning at Psalms 9:1 and ending with Psalms 10:18 . Seven letters are omitted. The Acrostic is irregular, corresponding with the "times of trouble". The notes will show how one subject pervades them (see H p. 721). Compare "the lawless one" (Psalms 9:5 , Psalms 9:16 and Psalms 10:2 , Psalms 10:4 , Psalms 10:13 , Psalms 10:15 ); "times of trouble" (Psalms 9:9 and Psalms 10:1 ); "the oppressed" (Hebrew. dak, crushed, Psalms 9:9 and Psalms 10:18 ; occurs only here and Psalms 74:21 ); "mortal men" (Psalms 9:19 , Psalms 9:20 and Psalms 10:18 ); "forget" (Psalms 9:12 , Psalms 9:17 , Psalms 9:18 and Psalms 10:11 , Psalms 10:12 ); "humble" (Psalms 9:12 , Psalms 9:18 , and Psalms 10:12 , Psalms 10:17 ); "not alway" (Psalms 9:18 , and "never", Psalms 10:11 ); "for ever and ever" (Psalms 9:5 and Psalms 10:16 ); "arise, Jehovah" (Psalms 9:19 and Psalms 10:12 ).

Title. A Psalm. See App-65 .

I will = Let me.

Verse 2

MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon.

Verse 4

satest = hast sat.

right = righteously.

Verse 5

heathen = nations.

the wicked = a lawless one: i.e. the Antichrist. Compare Psalms 10:3 , Psalms 10:13 , Psalms 10:14 , Psalms 10:15 . Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

put out = blotted out.

for ever, &c. Compare Psalms 10:16 .

Verse 6

thou enemy. Same as the lawless one of Psalms 9:5 .

destructions are come = complete is the destruction.

a perpetual end = for evermore. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "swords are abandoned".

Verse 7

endure = sit as king.

Verse 8

He, &c. Quoted in Acts 17:31 .

the world = the habitable world. Hebrew. tebel. First occurrence in Psalms; never found with the Art.

people = peoples.

Verse 9

the oppressed = the crushed one. Compare Psalms 10:18 .

times of trouble = the great time of trouble: i.e. the tribulation of Matthew 24:0 , Jeremiah 30:0 , &c. Compare Psalms 10:1 .

Verse 10

Thy name. See note on Psalms 5:11 .

put their trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. See App-69 .

Verse 11

Zion. See App-68 .

Verse 12

maketh inquisition for = inquireth concerning.

them: i.e. those named in Psalms 9:10 .

forgetteth not. Compare Psalms 9:18 and Psalms 10:11 , Psalms 10:12 .

cry = outcry.

humble = oppressed. Compare Psalms 9:18 with Psalms 10:12 , Psalms 10:17 .

Verse 13

Have mercy = Be gracious, or favourable to.

Verse 14

praise. So some codices, with four early printed editions (one in margin). Other codices read "praises".

I will = that I may.

Verse 16

Higgaion = soliloquy, or meditation. See App-66 .

Selah. Connecting the wicked one (singular) of Psalms 9:16 with the wicked ones (plural) of Psalms 9:17 . See App-66 .

Verse 17

wicked = wicked ones (plural) Hebrew. rasha' . App-44 .

turned = returned. Compare Job 21:26 ; Job 34:15 .Psalms 104:29 . Ecclesiastes 3:20 ; Ecclesiastes 12:7 .

hell = the grave. Hebrew Sheol. App-35 .

Verse 18

the needy = a needy one.

poor = oppressed. Compare Psalms 9:12 .

not . Ellipsis of second negative. See note on Genesis 2:6 .

Verse 19

man. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

in Thy sight = before Thee: i.e. at Thy coming.

Verse 20

Put them in fear = Appoint them some terror.

nations. As in Psa 9:59