Psalm 9
Introduction (Acts 17:16-32) – Paul was tarrying in Athens, waiting for his companions to join him. While there, he was provoked by all the idols in the city, and began to reason in the synagogues, in the marketplace, anywhere apparently, declaring the resurrection of Jesus. This culminated in his address at Mars’ Hill, where he declared that the days of ignorance were no longer an excuse for the nations – repentance was demanded of everyone – every knee must bow before Paul’s God and God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In his argument, Paul quoted Psalm 9 and declared that God “has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” The final demand in Psalm 9 is to fear the Lord or die. And this is the message of the resurrection. Psalm 9 is an Easter message about our Risen Lord, the Savior, Judge, and King of all the earth.
Just as two eyes see the same object but from slightly different angles, creating a deeper image, let Psalm 9 be read and understood in light of David and the Lord Jesus Christ, and finally all those who are in Christ as well.
Praise For Deliverance Rendered (vv1-5) –
Praise Is Fitting (vv1-2) – Once you begin to recount the Lord’s marvelous works, it seems you never have a shortage of things to talk and sing about. David is praising God particularly because these marvelous works have been done for him, and seeing this (sometimes by faith and not by sight) David is praising God with a whole heart. David is not commanding praise; he is indulging in praise.
The Enemies Destroyed (vv3-5) – David had enemies, and there were plenty of times where it looked as though they would succeed. But God has caused them to fall and perish. His rebuke and destruction has blotted their names away. And when this has occurred it is God who has done it and He has done it in righteousness.
Praise For Deliverance Expected (vv6-12) -
The Great Contrast (vv6-8) – The great destroyer has been destroyed, and David mocks (as Paul will do, “O death, where is thy sting?”) This is the work of the One who will instead reign forever. The world does not get to choose its judge.
The Gracious Judge (vv9-10) – This Judge will deliver those who call upon His name and be to them a refuge even in times of trouble. This Deliverer will not forsake those who seek Him.
Praise Again (vv11-12) – He is praised (in song again) while declaring His deeds. Two categories are in mind: God forgets neither the wicked, bloodstained foe nor the cry of the humble, weakest saint.
Prayer For Deliverance Needed (vv13-20) – David has seen God’s great and merciful deeds, but he is still in trouble and he continues to cry out.
He asks that he be delivered so that his praise can continue (vv 13-14). And God is true to His Word – the Hamans of the world hang on their own gallows (vv15-16). And we should meditate on this constantly (Higgaion and Selah). The nations that forget God will be cast into hell, and one of the reasons is that the nations who forget God become the nations who attack the helpless, the weak, the poor and the defenseless (vv17-18). The only way a man is turned from this destruction is when God grants him gospel-fear where he understands who he truly is – a mere man and in subjection to Almighty God (vv19-20).
Paul’s Mind on Mars’ Hill – Paul finds Psalm 9:8 a fitting verse in a city filled with idols. Athenians were known for embracing religious ideas with an open mind, and yet Luke belittles their interest as little more than curiosity in novelties (Acts 17:20-21). While we commend Paul for his zeal to witness throughout the city, we must also commend his demand to turn from the idols and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All Who Call On the Name of the Lord Will Be Saved – “Those who know Your name will put their trust in You…” (Psalm 9:10). Jesus hung on the cross with words above Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. His salvation is offered to Jews, to Romans, and to the Gentiles of the world. This message was the message of salvation in Jerusalem, in Athens, and it is the message for each of you today in Seattle. Your background does not matter, for we are all of one blood (Acts 17:26), “so that they should seek the Lord…” (v27). America, therefore, and not just Americans, should recognize her plight and turn as a nation to the Savior of the world, the King of our nation and of all nations, and plead His name, His grace, and declare His glory.
Agnosticism Will Be Judged – “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Understanding Hebrew parallelism, we can see that ‘the wicked’ are those ‘who forget God’ (Psalm 9:17). If you as an individual live in such a way that proves you have forgotten God, your agnosticism will be judged. Forgetfulness by a nation is no excuse. Confusion in a nation that prides itself in multiculturalism and religious tolerance is no excuse. This is not a neutral place to be. We are to repent and believe.
There Are No Other Religions of Peace – Paul was not pleased with the Athenian penchant for studying various idols (Acts 17:16), nor would he be with shallow fondness for the same. Every other religion is by definition at war with God for it leads to idolatry, destruction, and condemnation (Acts 4:12). Islam is not a peaceful religion. Nor is Mormonism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Communist-Atheism, Secular-Humanism, or any other ‘ism’. Only Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, truly offers peace to man with God and therefore peace between man and man.
Christ’s Resurrection Points to the Salvation of the World and a Final Severe Judgment – The tomb is empty. And this means that Jesus Christ is the all powerful Son of God (Rom 1:4). The gift of faith rendered by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of His Word is the instrument chosen by God to bring men and women to Himself where their lives are changed here and forever in eternity. But this is only because Christ is the Judge of all the world. We are all judged: for those who are in Christ Jesus there is now no condemnation; and for all others there is nothing but the fear of eternal justice. And this is why we sing.
Dave Hatcher – March 27th (Resurrection Sunday), 2005