TUESDAY, JULY 10
Psalm 9:1-20
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Every day with Jesus ...

TRIUMPH OVER THE HEATHEN

“Muth-labben” means “Death of the Son.” Scofield thinks it is possibly connected with 2 Samuel 12:20. Certain commentators think the Son here refers to the Son of Perdition in Goliath. David wrote this triumphal Psalm to strengthen the church militant on earth till she becomes the church triumphant in heaven. (Remember Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress.)

Psalm 9 may be divided into two parts paralleling each other as follows:
Part I 1. Jubilant thanksgiving                         Part II 1. Similar thoughts
          (v 1-6)                                                                 (v 15-16)
          2. Confidence in the future                              2. Similar thoughts
          (v 7-12)                                                               (v 17-18)
          3. Closing prayer                                            3. Similar thoughts
          (v 13-14)                                                            (v 19-20)

Although David had fought hard to vanquish his enemy, pride did not enter his head. He gave all glory to God to whom he looked always for help. His strength over his enemy is this lowly attitude that gains God’s favour (1 Pet 5:5). God was so pleased with David’s loving obedience that He called him “a man after his own heart” (1 Sam 13:14). On the other hand, God rejected King Saul for being self-willed and vainglorious. Whereas God readily pardoned David in the matter of Bathsheba because David acknowledged his sins in deepest contrition, Saul the stubborn and self-exalting found no consolation of forgiveness. Read Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Having experienced God’s mercies and judgment, David can look to the future with confidence. Notice the future tense that prevails in Psalm 9:7- 12. On that day, the humble will cry to Him and they will be heard.

This hymn closes with prayer for mercy and a holy determination to praise the Lord before the multitudes. This threefold thanksgiving, confidence and prayer recurs in Psalm 9:15-20 as a sort of sweet refrain.

THOUGHT: “Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life …”
PRAYER: Forgive my pride in self, O Lord. May humility rule over me.