A Glorious Victory in Battle
August 12, 2021
Commentary
God had won a victory for David, so he sang a song of praise to the Lord (vv. 1-2). David resolved to praise God wholeheartedly, to tell of His wonders, to be joyful in God, and to sing to Him. There is a big difference between praisingwith the lips and praising with the heart; between singing a hymn mechanically and singing it from the overflow of our heart.
The cause for David’s praise speaks of deliverance and victory over all his enemies (vv. 3-6). The Lord God is our refuge and a stronghold in trouble which means we have security and protection in a high and safe place, or in other words, a shelter from danger. Knowing of God’s security and protection gives us assurance that we can trust Him. If we do not trust God to vindicate us, we will be susceptible to hatred and self-pity. If we trust God, we can experience His peace and be free of the worry of what others may think about us and how they treat us.
The Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne (v. 7). He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness (v. 8). He is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble (v. 9). What can Satan do when a person turns torture into triumph or troubled times into times of praise? The Lord will be a refuge in times of trouble. Most of David’s psalms were written in times of great trouble. God will never forsake those who seek Him (v. 10). God’s promise does not mean that if we trust in Him we will escape loss or suffering. It simply means that God will never leave us no matter what we face.
Application
Have I learned to give thanks in everything as I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to? If so, I am in God’s will because God’s will is for me to give thanks in everything. Also, can I praise the Lord with my whole heart as David did in today’s Scripture? That is an exciting way to live. It is easy to praise Him when everything is going my way but when things are happening that I do not like it is very easy to complain and ask God why this is happening to me. I want to be a person who leaves this world with praise on my lips.
Psalms 9:1– 10 (NET)
1 I will thank the Lord with all my heart! I will tell about all your amazing deeds.
2 I will be happy and rejoice in you. I will sing praises to you, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back, they trip and are defeated before you.
4 For you defended my just cause; from your throne you pronounced a just decision.
5 You terrified the nations with your battle cry. You destroyed the wicked; you permanently wiped out all memory of them.
6 The enemy’s cities have been reduced to permanent ruins. You destroyed their cities; all memory of the enemies has perished.
7 But the Lord rules forever; he reigns in a just manner.
8 He judges the world fairly; he makes just legal decisions for the nations.
9 Consequently the Lord provides safety for the oppressed; he provides safety in times of trouble.
10 Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.