Psalm 9 is written by David, and some associate the title “The death of the son”, with David’s victory over the enemy- Goliath. Perhaps David might have written this psalm remembering the protection of His people against their enemies.
Devotional Portion: Psalm 9:1-2
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
Spurgeon wrote, “Half heart is no heart.” Whenever the scripture speaks about praising and worshipping God, the writers always add ‘with the fullness’ ‘with complete surrender’ and or ‘whole heart.’ In Luke 6:45, we see, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” So, praise and worship must pour out from the abundance of joy and by the remembrance of His mercies to us each moment. Such praise has sincerity, love and adoration.
The idea of the whole heart implies another meaning, the importance of undivided devotion to Him independent of the situations. Such a person can always say that God is good and His works are marvellous.
I will tell of all Your marvellous works.
Praise is followed by proclamation. Marvellous works or wonderful deeds are common usages in the Psalms. It is quoted to explain the redemptive miracle that God has done (Psalm 106:7,22), and to detail the glory of the scripture (Psalm 119:18).
Praise is mostly confined within our prayer closets or the boundaries of the church. The greatest proclamation that Christian now has is the proclamation of their transformation and bearing the gospel to the ends of this world. (Matthew 28:16-20).
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
This is another dimension of praise. With our whole hearts, we praise Him and we find joy and gladness. As Nehemiah encourages his fellow brethren, he quotes, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. There is peace, there is power and there is strength to face the days that are ahead.
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Praise the LORD with whole heart, proclaim His glory, be glad in His marvellous works and sing to His name as He is the Most High and rules over everything.
Reflection: The LORD is worthy to be praised and we are called as His ambassadors.
