11 Make songs of praise to the Lord, whose house is in Zion: make his doings clear to the people. 12 When he makes search for blood, he has them in his memory: he is not without thought for the cry of the poor. 13 Have mercy on me, O Lord, and see how I am troubled by my haters; let me be lifted up from the doors of death; 14 So that I may make clear all your praise in the house of the daughter of Zion: I will be glad because of your salvation. 15 The nations have gone down into the hole which they made: in their secret net is their foot taken. 16 The Lord has given knowledge of himself through his judging: the evil-doer is taken in the net which his hands had made. (Higgaion. Selah.) 17 The sinners and all the nations who have no memory of God will be turned into the underworld. 18 For the poor will not be without help; the hopes of those in need will not be crushed for ever. 19 Up! O Lord; let not man overcome you: let the nations be judged before you. 20 Put them in fear, O Lord, so that the nations may see that they are only men. (Selah.)
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 9:11-20
Commentary on Psalm 9:11-20
(Read Psalm 9:11-20)
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has saved us from spiritual and eternal death, we may thence hope, that in all our distresses he will be a very present help to us. The overruling providence of God frequently so orders it, that persecutors and oppressors are brought to ruin by the projects they formed to destroy the people of God. Drunkards kill themselves; prodigals beggar themselves; the contentious bring mischief upon themselves: thus men's sins may be read in their punishment, and it becomes plain to all, that the destruction of sinners is of themselves. All wickedness came originally with the wicked one from hell; and those who continue in sin, must go to that place of torment. The true state, both of nations and of individuals, may be correctly estimated by this one rule, whether in their doings they remember or forget God. David encourages the people of God to wait for his salvation, though it should be long deferred. God will make it appear that he never did forget them: it is not possible he should. Strange that man, dust in his and about him, should yet need some sharp affliction, some severe visitation from God, to bring him to the knowledge of himself, and make him feel who and what he is.