“ I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. (Psalms 9:1-20)

          In Psalm nine we observe that it is important to praise God. We should praise God when we observe His marvelous works. We should praise God when we are under the attacks by an enemy. We should praise God in time of trouble. Wonderful hope is available to those who praise God under all circumstances of life. Those who understand the providence of God will confess Him with their whole heart. They will tell others of His marvelous works. Let us never focus on our enemies or the troubles of the world. Psalm nine focuses on God's righteous rule, His judgment and His justice. Let us be glad and rejoice in God and sing praise to His name.

          We should give praise to our God -- Psalm 9:1-6: This is a psalm of great praise to God. David said, (1) I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart, (2) I will shew forth all thy marvelous works, (3) I will be glad and rejoice in thee, and (4) I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. (Psalms 9:1-2) Many have suggested that this psalm was written at Absolom's death. It is important to notice that even in face of great troubles David praised God with his whole heart. Whole hearted service to God is very much needed today also. As we observe God's wonders and greatness we should likewise see our own insignificance. Our single goal should be to be thankful and glad in God and to praise Him. In a time of deep discouragement David remembered many past blessings that he had received from God. God had (1) caused David's enemies to run away and stumble, (2) passed fair judgment against David, and (3) destroyed the wicked who tried to harm David. David always saw God as fighting his battles. David was righteous and God was on his side.

          God judges the world fairly -- Psalm 9:7-12: David said God lives forever. He pictured several righteous traits of God's character. He said that on the throne of judgment God shows justice to all. God helps the poor in the time of their trouble. God is faithful with His blessing to all who trust Him and depend upon Him. David desired to praise the name of God in song and to tell others about Him. God heard the crys of those who were in need and He did not forget to punish the guilty. David asked God to have mercy upon him in his times of trouble. He realized that God had kept him from the gates that lead to death. What do those do who do not know God do when troubles comes? Where do they turn for help? We do well to remember that God has never forsaken anyone who has honestly served Him in their time of trouble. Let us proclaim among the nations the greatness of God and all that He had done.

          Have mercy upon me, O LORD -- Psalm 9:13-20: David recognized his situation and he prayed for God to have mercy on him. David saw the need for God's mercy in keeping him from both his enemies and from the gates of death. Nations that tried to destroy David "fell into their own pits, and their feet were caught in their own traps." God made sure that justice was done. Evil people will be trapped by their own wrong deeds. David said, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Psalms 9:17) God will remember the poor and the homeless. They will not always be forgotten. Those that oppose God will not win. They must stand trial in His court of law. David prayed that God would "Make the nations afraid and let them all discover just how weak they are." The wicked reap what they sow; they fall into their own pit. Let us all remember that one day we will have to meet our God! Our world would be a much better place if all mankind had a healthy dose of the fear of the Lord.

          Will you accept God's wonderful good news that Jesus died for your sins? Will you be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that your sins can be forgiven by His blood? "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Believers contact Christ's saving blood by being baptized into His death. How blessed we are when we make a rational decision to be a servant of God. Life is always better when we walk with God. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. (Psalms 9:2)