Psalm 9

Psalm 9:1-2, 4, 9-10

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....For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness…The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

 

I sometimes look at David’s life and do a mental comparison.  I note first all of the things God did for David: Slaying the giant, protecting from Saul, winning all those battles, and establishing a kingdom.  I then list all of the things God has done for me: Giving me a good education, a good church, and a nice family.  Suddenly, my list looks pretty pathetic next to “slaying giants.” I then develop this very silly logic: “Well, no wonder David praised God more than I do….look at all God did for him, compared to me.” 

Not one of those things I listed for David is even mentioned in Psalm 9.  What is mentioned?  David focuses on just one thing in this psalm that God has done for him.  God judged with righteousness. Why is David praising God for being Judge?  Why can I praise God for being Judge?  David declares it in verses 9-10:  The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Those who seek God do not have to fear Him as judge.  He promises to be our refuge and defend us from those around us who would hurt us.

 

As mothers, we can identify with feelings of being in times of trouble and oppression due to other people.  You may feel rejected by your former friends. You may feel manipulated by a family member. You may feel just plain tired because of your small children – so tired you cannot think of doing dishes, laundry, diapers, and tantrums one more day. We may not have a maniac king after us, but we do have a toddler who is bent on destroying all that is nice and pretty in our homes! 

 

What is the solution, according to this Psalm?  Trust God.  We are promised that God will be our refuge when we seek Him.  He does not forsake.  He is our ultimate strength!  Read through the entire Psalm and see what kind of God you can trust!  Give your oppressions and troubles to Him.  Sometimes I pray for the strength to make it until naptime.  After naptime, I can ask for strength until bedtime!

 

When our trust is in a God who never forsakes and is all-powerful, what other response can we have but praise?