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 the 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 ha
ve 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.