Psalm 9 Devotional
By Pastor Lawrence

In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, Psalms 9 and 10 are taken together as one unit or psalm. This is because the two psalms together form an acrostic in the original Hebrew language, with each stanza beginning with the consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Interestingly, Psalm 9 strikes a more triumphant note overall, while Psalm 10 is primarily a lament that only seems to be hopeful near the end. However, what ties the two psalms together is the confidence and comfort that comes from knowing that God is still seated upon his throne high above the earth. Three times in Psalm 9, David points out that the Lord is seated upon his eternal throne, and then at the end of Psalm 10 he rejoices that the Lord is king forever and ever and that all the nations will perish from his land.

Yes, the wicked may temporarily curse and boast; they may prosper and abuse the poor, but the righteous judge of all the earth sees and hears the cries of his people from his royal throne. Nations may conveniently forget the Lord, and kings may declare themselves to be their own gods, but the Lord will ultimately make the nations to know that they are but men.

It is this glorious truth that causes David to open his mouth in praise even in the midst of his enemies, and to give thanks to the Lord even in the midst of his sufferings. In this topsy-turvy world where sin is pervasive and evil seemingly runs unchallenged, the God of order and love, wisdom and power, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ hears our prayers and defends our cause. Because he sits on his throne eternally, we can stand with confidence today.