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Illustration of young King David standing triumphantly on a sunlit hilltop, joyfully playing a golden harp and singing praise, illustrating Psalm 9's declaration, 'I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart.'

Psalm 9

Praise for God's Justice

GratitudePraise

David sings to God with his whole heart because God helped him and punished those who did wrong. God is like the ultimate fair judge for the whole world. He never forgets people who are hurting or in need.

  1. 1I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.
  2. 2I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
  3. 3My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You.
  4. 4For You have upheld my right and my cause; You have sat on Your throne, judging righteously.
  5. 5You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
  6. 6The enemy is finished— devastated forever! You have uprooted their cities; the very memory of them has perished.
  7. 7The LORD reigns forever; He has established His throne for judgment.
  8. 8He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the peoples with justice.
  9. 9The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
  10. 10Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.
  11. 11Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what He has done.
  12. 12For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
  13. 13LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
  14. 14that I may declare Your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in Your salvation.
  15. 15The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
  16. 16The LORD is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
  17. 17The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.
  18. 18But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
  19. 19Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in Your presence.
  20. 20Strike them with terror, LORD; let the nations know they are only mortal.

What it means

When we look back and remember all the times God has helped us, our hearts fill with thanks. The more we get to know who God really is, the more we trust Him — because He has never let down anyone who seeks Him.

A little prayer

Lord, I thank You with all my heart for everything You have done. The more I know You, the more I trust You. Thank You that You never forget the people who need You. Amen.

Memory verse

“Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, O LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.”

Psalm 9:10 (BSB)

It names the reason for trust — not that God is powerful, but that God has never walked away from someone who came looking.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. David says he will tell of all God's wonderful deeds. What is one thing you would put on that list?
  2. The psalm says God does not forget people in trouble. Who is easy for the world to forget?
  3. It talks about people falling into traps they set themselves. What does that mean?
  4. How do you thank someone with your 'whole heart' rather than just politely?

Try this

The thank-you list

Set a timer for two minutes and write down as many good things as you can, big or small. Read the list out loud, then read verse 1. Keep the list and add to it next week.

You will need: Paper, a pen, a timer.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)