11 Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion,
and declare among the people what he has done. 12 For he who avenges blood remembers them.
He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted. 13 Have mercy on me, Yahweh.
See my affliction by those who hate me,
and lift me up from the gates of death; 14 that I may show forth all your praise.
In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made.
In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken. 16 Yahweh has made himself known.
He has executed judgment.
The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands.
Meditation. Selah. 17 The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol,
even all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish forever. 19 Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail.
Let the nations be judged in your sight. 20 Put them in fear, Yahweh.
Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 9:11-20
Commentary on Psalm 9:11-20
(Read Psalm 9:11-20)
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has saved us from spiritual and eternal death, we may thence hope, that in all our distresses he will be a very present help to us. The overruling providence of God frequently so orders it, that persecutors and oppressors are brought to ruin by the projects they formed to destroy the people of God. Drunkards kill themselves; prodigals beggar themselves; the contentious bring mischief upon themselves: thus men's sins may be read in their punishment, and it becomes plain to all, that the destruction of sinners is of themselves. All wickedness came originally with the wicked one from hell; and those who continue in sin, must go to that place of torment. The true state, both of nations and of individuals, may be correctly estimated by this one rule, whether in their doings they remember or forget God. David encourages the people of God to wait for his salvation, though it should be long deferred. God will make it appear that he never did forget them: it is not possible he should. Strange that man, dust in his and about him, should yet need some sharp affliction, some severe visitation from God, to bring him to the knowledge of himself, and make him feel who and what he is.