Psalm 9 Groaning about the Goyim The expression preceding Psalm 9 is Almut Laben which means “Concerning the Death of a Son.” While this could be a dirge composed at Absalom’s death, it may also have a Messianic meaning, recalling the Son of Man in the previous Psalm 8. It is fascinating to note how the “glory and honor” with which the Son of Man is crowned (Ps. 8:5) is associated in Heb. 2:9 with the death of Jesus the ultimate Son of Man (Sailhamer). The close connection of this Psalm also to the one following will be mentioned in the commentary on Psalm 10. This is the first Psalm that deals with the nations apart from Israel. Some of the Psalms deal with the salvation of the goyim (the Gentiles—see Psalms 67 and 96), but this one deals with their righteous judgment. Praise in presence of the nations (vv. 1–6). God had won a victory for David, so he sang a song of praise to the Lord. It was not a personal battle. Because David was doing God’s will, the Lord maintained his cause. Although in your Christian battle you do not fight with human beings (Eph. 6:12–13), you should still praise the Lord for the spiritual victories He has graciously given you. Promise to judge the nations (vv. 7–12). David looked ahead to the time when God would finally judge sin and establish His righteous kingdom. God’s people do not need to worry; He is their refuge and will never forsake them (Heb. 13:5). Prayer for the nations (vv. 13–20). From considering the past and the future, David turned to his present need as he prayed for God’s help. His need was for mercy and his motive was that he might praise the Lord and tell others of His salvation. Why? Because there is a place called hell (Ps. 9:17) and God’s salvation is the only escape from that terrible place. Paul advised, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11). “The safest road to hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” C. S. Lewis
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 13:13:40 +0000