2005-08-21 - My Cause

Psalm 9, Part 3

Once again I'd like to follow Leupold's outline of the psalm:

1. Praise for a mighty deliverance (vv. 1-12);
2. A plea for the continuation of this deliverance (vv. 13-20) ³

The meaning of the heading of the psalm is unclear, though the NIV translates it, "To the tune of `The death of the Son.'" This view holds that the psalm was to be sung to a popular tune of this title. The only agreement found among commentators is that the meaning is unclear, and any effort to draw a firm conclusion is purely speculation.

1. Praise for a Mighty Deliverance (vv. 1-12): David starts his work with praise of the Lord. Where praise of, and therefore focus on, the Lord is the basis of our life, we can keep a balanced perspective. This allows us to live in the midst of circumstances, instead of under them. And with praise, David notes that he also witnesses to others of God's work. Specifically the works which David would have been referring to would have been God's past blessings of the nation Israel. By praising, He is also testifying to the majesty of God. Note that praise seems to move the heart to joy in God. Our only chance from true joy and peace is dependent on the quality of our relationship with the Father, not the quality of our circumstances.

   David identifies the works of God as defeat of national enemies. The issue is seen as national because David speaks of "my cause" and "my case," which best can be understood as his role of king and therefore dealing with Israel, not his personal enemies. God does bring justice, He does judge the enemies of His people. And when He acts, He does so because of the sin of those He judges. David notes that first the Lord rebukes, that is identifies the sin that leads to judgment, and then He brings such ruin that their names will pass out of memory.

   Dr. McGee believed that the psalm is prophetic and is speaking of the judgment of nations, when Messiah will sit on the throne of His father David. Certainly there is strong language, that does seem to refer to some incident that cannot be clearly identified in Jewish history. Remember, though, that one is dealing with prophetic language, which allows for the superlative. Certainly the principle of God's judging of the wicked and their destruction is certainly valid. This has occurred and will do so again.

³ Leupold, H. C., Exposition of the Psalms, Baker Book House, 1969, p. 110 & 113.

Series to be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org