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I Will Give Thanks to the LORD
Psalm 9 is a song of thanks that moves into prayer. It praises Yahweh for justice, calls others to sing, and asks for mercy while holding on to hope for afflicted and needy people.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this passage, the singer speaks directly to Yahweh about his marvellous works, righteous judgment and help for oppressed people. The psalm invites public praise among the peoples, then turns to a personal request for mercy and ends with a plea for the nations to be judged before Yahweh.
Psalms 9:1–20Main takeaway
Psalm 9 teaches that Yahweh is praised for righteous judgment, trusted in trouble, and asked to make the nations recognise their limits.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Thanks with the whole heartThe psalm opens with deliberate praise. The singer gives thanks with a whole heart, tells of Yahweh’s marvellous works, rejoices in him and sings praise to his name.
Explanation
The psalm opens with deliberate praise. The singer gives thanks with a whole heart, tells of Yahweh’s marvellous works, rejoices in him and sings praise to his name. Yahweh is addressed as the Most High, so the song begins with worship centred on who he is and what he has done.
02Yahweh reigns and judges rightlyThe praise is linked to Yahweh’s justice. Enemies turn back, stumble and perish in his presence because he maintains a just cause and judges righteously.
Explanation
The praise is linked to Yahweh’s justice. Enemies turn back, stumble and perish in his presence because he maintains a just cause and judges righteously. Nations are rebuked and the wicked destroyed, yet Yahweh remains forever, seated on a throne prepared for judgment over the world and the peoples.
03A high tower for troubled peopleYahweh is described as a high tower for the oppressed in times of trouble. Those who know his name put their trust in him because he does not forsake those who seek him.
Explanation
Yahweh is described as a high tower for the oppressed in times of trouble. Those who know his name put their trust in him because he does not forsake those who seek him. Therefore the psalm calls people to sing praises in Zion and declare what Yahweh has done among the peoples.
04Mercy asked for so praise can continueThe song turns into direct prayer. Yahweh remembers and does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Explanation
The song turns into direct prayer. Yahweh remembers and does not forget the cry of the afflicted. The singer asks for mercy, for Yahweh to see affliction caused by haters, and to lift him from the gates of death. The purpose given is renewed praise and rejoicing in Yahweh’s salvation.
05The nations judged, the needy not forgottenThe closing lines say the nations fall into their own pit and net, and Yahweh makes himself known by executing judgment.
Explanation
The closing lines say the nations fall into their own pit and net, and Yahweh makes himself known by executing judgment. The wicked are turned back, but the needy are not always forgotten and the poor do not lose hope forever. The psalm ends by asking Yahweh to judge the nations and show they are only men.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What actions of praise are named at the start of this psalm?
List the verbs in the opening verses and notice that they are directed to Yahweh and his marvellous works.
02How does the psalm describe Yahweh’s care for people in trouble?
Look for the words about a high tower, not forsaking those who seek him, remembering the afflicted, and seeing present affliction.
03What does the ending ask the nations to learn about themselves?
Read the final prayer carefully and notice the request that they be judged in Yahweh’s sight and know that they are only men.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 9:1–20
1I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works.
2I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence.
4For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.
5You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.
7But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.
8He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.
9Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.
10Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.
12For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted.
13Have mercy on me, Yahweh. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death,
14that I may show all of your praise. I will rejoice in your salvation in the gates of the daughter of Zion.
15The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.
16Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.
17The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.
18For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.
20Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.