Psalm 9

Psalm 9

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.”

1 I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.2 I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.3 My enemies retreated;
they staggered and died when you appeared.4 For you have judged in my favor;
from your throne you have judged with fairness.5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have erased their names forever.6 The enemy is finished, in endless ruins;
the cities you uprooted are now forgotten.7 But the LORD reigns forever,
executing judgment from his throne.8 He will judge the world with justice
and rule the nations with fairness.9 The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble.10 Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.11 Sing praises to the LORD who reigns in Jerusalem.t
Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.12 For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless.
He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.13 LORD, have mercy on me.
See how my enemies torment me.
Snatch me back from the jaws of death.14 Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates,
so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.15 The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others.
Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set.16 The LORD is known for his justice.
The wicked are trapped by their own deeds.
Quiet Interludet17 The wicked will go down to the grave.t
This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.18 But the needy will not be ignored forever;
the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.19 Arise, O LORD!
Do not let mere mortals defy you!
Judge the nations!20 Make them tremble in fear, O LORD.
Let the nations know they are merely human.
Interlude

PSALMS 9

Sing Praises to the [Lord]

1 I will praise you, [Lord],
with all my heart
and tell about the wonders
you have worked.

2 God Most High, I will rejoice;
I will celebrate and sing
because of you.

3 When my enemies face you,
they run away and stumble
and are destroyed.

4 You take your seat as judge,
and your fair decisions prove
that I was in the right.

5 You warn the nations
and destroy evil people;
you wipe out their names
forever and ever.

6 Our enemies are destroyed
completely for all time.
Their cities are torn down,
and they will never
be remembered again.

7 You rule forever, [Lord],
and you are on your throne,
ready for judgment.

8 You judge the world fairly
and treat all nations
with justice.

9 The poor can run to you
because you are a fortress
in times of trouble.

10 Everyone who honors your name
can trust you,
because you are faithful
to all who depend on you.

11 You rule from Zion, [Lord],
and we sing about you
to let the nations know
everything you have done.

12 You did not forget
to punish the guilty
or listen to the cries
of those in need.

13  t Please have mercy, [Lord]!
My enemies mistreat me.
Keep me from the gates
that lead to death,

14 and I will sing about you
at the gate to Zion.
I will be happy there
because you rescued me.

15  t Our [Lord], the nations fell
into their own pits,
and their feet were caught
in their own traps.

16 You showed what you are like,
and you made certain
that justice is done,
but evil people are trapped
by their own evil deeds.

17 The wicked will go down
to the world of the dead
to be with those nations
that forgot about you.

18 The poor and the homeless
won't always be forgotten
and without hope.

19 Do something, [Lord]!
Don't let the nations win.
Make them stand trial
in your court of law.

20 Make the nations afraid
and let them all discover
just how weak they are.