Psalms 9:1

PSALM 9

THANKS FOR VICTORIES.

(FOR THE CHIEF MUSICIAN; SET TO MUTH-LAB-BEN. A PSALM OF DAVID)

The title here is from Halley.[1] However, there is some uncertainty about the exact meaning of this Psalm of David. The problem derives from two different translations of Psalms 9:3. Some have translated that verse as, "Because my enemies withdrew, etc."[2] This makes the Psalm a hymn of praise for many great victories already given by God to David, or Israel. Our version, along with the KJV, renders Psalms 9:3 thus: "When mine enemies turn back, etc." This, of course, makes the opening verse, "Become a promise to thank Yahweh on condition that he put the Psalmist's enemies to flight."[3]

Still a third view of what is meant is that once God has indeed already condemned David's enemies (Psalms 9:4), their ultimate complete overthrow and destruction are considered as already done, such being the certainty of anything that God promises. We believe this is the correct understanding. Both the Speaker's Commentary and the Pulpit Commentary, however, pursue the thought that the victories here celebrated with thanksgiving are actual triumphs of Israel over their enemies.

Rawlinson, for example, suggested a specific victory as the historical setting of this Psalm.

David's victory over Ammon and Syria (2 Samuel 10:6-14), which was followed by a renewed invasion by the same nations at a later time, (2 Samuel 10:16), is more likely to have drawn forth this composition.[4]

There is also sharply divided opinion on the issue of whether or not Psalms 9 and Psalms 10 are actually one Psalm or two. The Septuagint (LXX) and the Latin Vulgate make one Psalm out of the two. The Catholic Church follows that numbering; but Protestants continue to number the Psalms separately as in the Hebrew Bible.[5]

Addis accepted the one-psalm idea stating that it was "proved" by these facts: (1) It was one psalm in the Septuagint (LXX) and the Vulgate. (2) There is no title for Psalms 10, and (3) together the psalms form an imperfect acrostic.[6] Kidner also cited the fact that, "A very unusual word, rendered `times of trouble,' found only in Psalms 9:9 and Psalms 10:1, strengthens the link between the two psalms."[7]

There is one insurmountable obstacle, however, to the acceptance of the notion that the two passages are a single psalm. This is the simple truth that they do not have the same subject matter! Furthermore, this objection is in no way solved by Addis' allegation that the text is very corrupt here.

We have mentioned the fact of this psalm's being built around an acrostic, that is, certain lines, or strophes, begin with letters of the Hebrew alphabet, in such a manner as to present the whole alphabet. That pattern is partially followed here, but very poorly; and we discount its importance altogether. There are eight of the Psalms which follow this acrostic pattern, namely, the passages here, including Psalms 10, and Numbers 25,34, 37,111,112,119,145.[8]

We may consider the word `Muth-labben' in the superscription as totally unknown. As Rawlinson said, "No explanation hitherto given is satisfactory."[9]

Psalms 9:1-2

"I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart;

I will show forth all thy marvelous works.

I will be glad and exult in thee;

I will sing praise in thy Name, O thou Most High."

The reason for the exultation and joyful thanksgiving and praise of these verses is, "God's mighty acts of salvation on behalf of Israel."[10] Furthermore, this is true regardless of whether or not the victories had already been given or merely prophesied. What God's prophets prophesied was as certain of fulfillment as if it had already happened; and that is why the Hebrew writers used the present or the past tense regarding the promise of future events. Such verbs are called prophetic past, or prophetic present.

This is the reason why it really makes little difference just how the text of Psalms 9:3 here reads. Our margin gives the option of reading "when my enemies turn back" (which is future) as "because mine enemies have turned back."[11] (which is past). The events, whether future or past, are equally certain.

"O thou Most High." See comment on this expression under Psalms 7:17.