12 For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
12 How he tracks down killers yet keeps his eye on us, registers every whimper and moan.
12 When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble.
12 For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.
9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.
9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
(Read Psalm 25:8-14)
We are all sinners; and Christ came into the world to save sinners, to teach sinners, to call sinners to repentance. We value a promise by the character of him that makes it; we therefore depend upon God's promises. All the paths of the Lord, that is, all his promises and all his providences, are mercy and truth. In all God's dealings his people may see his mercy displayed, and his word fulfilled, whatever afflictions they are now exercised with. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth; and so it will appear when they come to their journey's end. Those that are humble, that distrust themselves, and desire to be taught and to follow Divine guidance, these he will guide in judgment, that is, by the rule of the written word, to find rest for their souls in the Saviour. Even when the body is sick, and in pain, the soul may be at ease in God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 9:12
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.