Read Psalm 9

Be Glad and Rejoice in God

Many of the Psalms were written by David, the shepherd who would become king of Israel. There are varying opinions as to the occasion that led to the writing of the ninth Psalm. Some believe that it was composed after David’s deliverance from Absalom, while others believe it was written much later by another author after the nation was delivered from Babylon. Many assign to it a much earlier date, perhaps following David’s defeat of Goliath, the Philistine giant. It is with that latter view in mind that we read it today, one day after considering the inspired record of Goliath’s defeat in 1 Samuel 17.

The ninth Psalm begins with a declaration of praise for God: “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2). Are there lessons for us in just these two verses?

Notice David’s attitude—his praise for God will not be half-hearted. Rather, his praise will be accomplished “with my whole heart.” Indeed, the fact that one’s love for the Lord must be “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5) is identified by the Messiah as “the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:38) and one of the two commands that “hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Without this whole-hearted, whole-souled, whole-strengthened attitude, the rest of God’s law for man in every dispensation is without foundation.

Notice next David’s attention—he sees what God has done and wants to tell others about it all! “I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” Nothing was to be omitted from David’s reporting of what God had done! Was this not the attitude of Paul the apostle? He said to the Ephesian elders, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Let us tell of everything that God has done for us, and everything He will do—both the good and the bad, dependent upon our response to Him.

Third, consider his adulation that is a result of God’s goodness. “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Too often we forget to thank God when He has blessed us, let alone praise Him for His grace and mercy. Can we imitate David’s attitude, attention, and adulation?