Psalms 9 and 10 are probably originally a single psalm (both Goldingay and Alter agree): Our companion is John Goldingay’s commentary (Psalms, Vol. 1: Psalms 1-41 (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms)
. The reason we say this is because the first letters of these two psalms form, more or less, a (“jerky” — Goldingay) procession through the Hebrew alphabet and there is no heading to Psalm 10.
I will tell about all your amazing deeds!
9:2 I will be happy and rejoice in you!
I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One!
Psalms 9
For the music director; according to the alumoth-labben style; a psalm of David.
9:1 I will thank the Lord with all my heart!
I will tell about all your amazing deeds!
9:2 I will be happy and rejoice in you!
I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One!
9:3 When my enemies turn back,
they trip and are defeated before you.
9:4 For you defended my just cause;
from your throne you pronounced a just decision.
9:5 You terrified the nations with your battle cry;
you destroyed the wicked;
you permanently wiped out all memory of them.
9:6 The enemy’s cities have been reduced to permanent ruins;
you destroyed their cities;
all memory of the enemies has perished.
9:7 But the Lord rules forever;
he reigns in a just manner.
9:8 He judges the world fairly;
he makes just legal decisions for the nations.
9:9 Consequently the Lord provides safety for the oppressed;
he provides safety in times of trouble.
9:10 Your loyal followers trust in you,
for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.
9:11 Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion!
Tell the nations what he has done!
9:12 For the one who takes revenge against murderers took notice of the oppressed;
he did not overlook their cry for help
9:13 when they prayed:
“Have mercy on me, Lord!
See how I am oppressed by those who hate me,
O one who can snatch me away from the gates of death!
9:14 Then I will tell about all your praiseworthy acts;
in the gates of Daughter Zion I will rejoice because of your deliverance.”
9:15 The nations fell into the pit they had made;
their feet were caught in the net they had hidden.
9:16 The Lord revealed himself;
he accomplished justice;
the wicked were ensnared by their own actions. (Higgaion. Selah)
9:17 The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol;
this is the destiny of all the nations that ignore God,
9:18 for the needy are not permanently ignored,
the hopes of the oppressed are not forever dashed.
9:19 Rise up, Lord!
Don’t let men be defiant!
May the nations be judged in your presence!
9:20 Terrify them, Lord!
Let the nations know they are mere mortals! (Selah)
10:1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?
10:2 The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed;
the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.
10:3 Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants;
the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord.
10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,
“God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”
10:5 He is secure at all times.
He has no regard for your commands;
he disdains all his enemies.
10:6 He says to himself,
“I will never be upended,
because I experience no calamity.”
10:7 His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words;
his tongue injures and destroys.
10:8 He waits in ambush near the villages;
in hidden places he kills the innocent.
His eyes look for some unfortunate victim.
10:9 He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket;
he lies in ambush, waiting to catch t
he oppressed;
he catches the oppressed by pulling in his net.
10:10 His victims are crushed and beaten down;
they are trapped in his sturdy nets.
10:11 He says to himself,
“God overlooks it;
he does not pay attention;
he never notices.”
10:12 Rise up, Lord!
O God, strike him down!
Do not forget the oppressed!
10:13 Why does the wicked man reject God?
He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.”
10:14 You have taken notice,
for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering.
The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you;
you deliver the fatherless.
10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man!
Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds,
which he thought you would not discover.
10:16 The Lord rules forever!
The nations are driven out of his land.
10:17 Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed;
you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.
10:18 You defend the fatherless and oppressed,
so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them.
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