Psalm 9

Psalm 9 1For the director of music. A psalm of David to the tune of “The Death of the Son.” LORD, I will give thanks to you with all my heart. I will tell about all the wonderful things you have done.

2I will be glad and full of joy because of you. Most High God, I will sing the praises of your name.

3My enemies turn back. They fall down and die right in front of you.

4You have proved that I haven’t done anything wrong. You have sat on your throne and judged fairly.

5You have punished the nations. You have destroyed evil people. You have erased their names from your book for ever and ever.

6My enemies have been destroyed forever. You have leveled their cities to the ground. Even the memory of them is gone.

7The LORD rules forever. He has set up his throne so that he can judge people.

8He rules the world in keeping with what is right. He judges all its people fairly.

9The LORD is a place of safety for those who have been treated badly. He keeps them safe in times of trouble.

10LORD, those who know you will trust in you. You have never deserted those who look to you.

11Sing the praises of the LORD . He rules from his throne in Zion. Tell among the nations what he has done.

12The God who pays back murderers remembers. He doesn’t forget the cries of those who are hurting.

13LORD, see how badly my enemies treat me! Help me! Don’t let me go down to the gates of death!

14Then I can give praise to you at the gates of the city of Zion. There I will be full of joy because you have saved me.

15The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug. Their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

16The LORD is known to be fair by the things he does. Evil people are trapped by what they have done.

17Sinful people go down to the place of the dead. So do all the nations that forget God.

18But God will never forget needy people. The hope of those who are hurting will never die.

19LORD, rise up. Don’t let people win the battle. Let the nations come to you and be judged. 20LORD, strike them with terror. Let the nations know they are only human beings.