Written by the most humble blogger on the face of the earth
This Psalm sounds like maybe the psalmist did something and God is no longer showing him favor. This seems like a plea for God to finally quit giving him the silent treatment. The psalmist is afraid that this will make it look like his enemies have won. He still keeps believing as if this is just a passing thing. Maybe God is just having a bad day and needs his space.
Or something.
Psalm 9 is a song of praise to God for all that he has done for David. I do like bringing up lines like “you have blotted out their names forever,” even though I am currently reading a book that talks about those enemies, by name, being destroyed. Why would anyone write them down to be remembered forever and then say that their names have been blotted out?
The other thing of note here is the mention of Sheol, which is NOT Hell. Sheol is, in Hebrew, the place of the dead. From what I have read on the topic, is basically where souls go when they are liberated from the corporeal form. I feel like it’s described more as a waiting room before judgement is passed. But that’s just how I see it.
Once again, David is praying to God about his enemies. He wants God to intervene and make them pay for their sin of attacking him. Of course, if God was omniscient, then he would already know that they’re sinning and smite them already. The description of David’s expectations point to a very violent and bloody end for those that persecute him. I have to say, if I prayed to God to visit consequences on my enemies and they met a bloody end, I would probably be horrified.
This week’s Psalm is another one about David’s enemies, because had a lot of enemies. Also, my girlfriend will be happy to know that this one is for the flutes (she’s a flute player).
This time around, David isn’t pleading with God to take care of his enemies, but trusting that he will take care of them because he doesn’t abide by wickedness, boastfulness, and he doesn’t like evildoers. David is loved by God and will easily enter the Lord’s house.
I certainly hope that David didn’t write this Psalm himself because, well, it seems quite boastful and, as I wrote above, God doesn’t abide. This Psalm must have been written before the concept of Hell was fleshed out, because David is asking God to make them bear their guilt rather than burn for eternity in hellfire.
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