Praise and Thanks to God

1I will thank the Lord wholeheartedly; I will recount your beautiful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

O my King, we’re glad and rejoice that you can praise a Majestic and gracious God who shows mercy and steadfast love to His people. We’re thankful for Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, resurrected and alive. He suffered alone at the cross, enduring the full wrath of God for us. Jesus, you now sit beside the Father will all power and authority, and we will sing praises of thankfulness for what you have done.

Faithless Gentiles

When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence. 4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. 5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.

You have rebuked the nations with Your righteous judgement, and if our nation repents its wrongdoings and seeks Your face and statutes, You will forgive us. We’re not to fear our enemies, for You will end their prosperity, exposing their wickedness for their wrongdoings. We should take comfort in knowing Your promises will come to fruition.

You’re reigning in heaven, and You will blot out our enemies, and we should remind ourselves that if our journey is difficult at times, it is just for a short period until Your return. Let me hang into the promises of inheritance and eternal life with You forever. Our reward is much greater than what this life offers. So let us endure patiently and wait for our King’s return.

The Lord Provides Security

7 But he has established his throne for justice, 8 and he judges the world with righteousness;
he judges people with uprightness. 9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

O God, Let me hide in Your stronghold and trust Your word. Forgive us when fear and deceit overwhelm us; don’t take comfort in Your word. Forgive us when we instead seek comfort from a temporary fixer and not in prayer with You. Forgive us when we instead listen to those who are liars and deceivers than obey and trust You.

O God, let our hearts not fear those who passed new laws against Your people and families. The wicked hated those who followed Your laws, statutes and rules. Give us strength to shine our little light a bit brighter as we stand firmly in our faith under the suppression.

God Protects the Needy

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.13 Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion, I may rejoice in your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. 16 The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion.^d Selah

Be gracious to us, O Lord, and see the affliction put upon us and the needy. We want to rejoice in our salvation and praise Your name, but those who hate us have lifted their minds and voices against Your people and families, telling dreadful lies. Deceiving many to believe their convincing lies.

Holy Spirit, teach us Your statutes so that our life may be a blessing for others and our families. Protect our children from harmful teachings. Stir the hearts of our young men and women and raise for Yourself a zealous generation who will praise Your name and denounce the wickedness of our nations. Protect our unborn and elderly people, the needy, and the homeless.

Arise, O Lord

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. 19 Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! 20 Put them in fear, O Lord!
Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah.

O God, You judge the nations accordingly and will put them in derision for their disobedience and rebellion against You. We shall prevail, for You are our God and love us. We pray for the poor and needy. Give them hope of salvation and rest of peace in You. Give us the courage to withstand those bullied, those of weaker vessels and status. In Christ, we stand firm for the truth.

Let’s Go Pray!

Resources

• Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/esv/psalms/9.htm