Thanking each other is the best etiquette in our society, and it encourages a person to give their best. It is an act of showing the person who helped us that we have identified or realized their kindness. It is no wonder that we can count the act of kindness of our fellow beings towards us. However, we may have moments of disgrace with people whom we had helped. Hence the scriptures encourage us not to become weary in doing good to others (Galatians 6:10). Without expecting gratitude, we should carry on with our good works and be thankful to the people who helped us. Moreover, giving thanks should be followed by some act of gratitude and should not be stopped with mere words.

Give Thanks

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Psalms 9:1-2

While we have plenty of reasons to thank God, we do not thank Him sufficiently and search for an opportunity to thank men. David recalled all the wonderful deeds of God and thanked Him with all his heart, whereas Cain did it reluctantly. Giving thanks should flow from our hearts as water rushes out through an open flood gate. When gratitude comes from our hearts, it won’t be mere words but actions. While we look for an opportunity to thank men, we don’t realise that we always have a good reason to thank God with all our heart for the new life He has given us.

Righteous Judge

My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished.

Psalms 9:3-6

David, through the battles he won, learned the righteousness of God and His judgment. He understood the warnings God gave his enemies and their consequences when they did not heed to them. Does every success in our life make us count on His judgment? We blame God for not punishing the evildoers by seeing their temporary achievements. Often, we take credit for our success and blame God for our failures. David had the grace of God on him that he was able to visualize God sitting in His throne and crushing His enemies endlessly.

Eternal God

The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 9:7-10

“I am the Alpha and the Omega ……. who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty,” says our Lord. David did not know that his writings are going to exist generation after generation. If these writings are, his own words, it might have ended with his generation, but as it was the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it conveys the Second Coming and the judgment of God which is in the offing. God is the only one who guards everyone against every evil without disparity. The one who takes shelter in Him experiences His love and mercy and starts trusting Him more and more. They understand the truth that God never forsakes anyone. Do we feel forsaken? The Psalmist encourages us to feel better as God will never forsake you and me. He is eternal, and His ways are constant.

A Perfect Avenger

Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.
For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may declare your praises
in the gates of Daughter Zion,
and there rejoice in your salvation.

Psalms 9:11-14

David had seen God’s avenging hand on his enemies, and he praised Him and proclaimed His name among the nations. Though David’s life was in danger several times because of his enemies, God protected him always. Once when David was forsaken by his people, he shared his pain with God and gained strength (1 Samuel 30:6). He intended to declare His praises in Jerusalem (gates of Daughter Zion) and longed for the salvation of people in it irrespective of their religious practices.

Just God

The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
The LORD is known by his acts of justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,
all the nations that forget God.
But God will never forget the needy;
the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Psalms 9:15-18

Often people question God about some catastrophic disasters, but this Psalm tells us that every untoward happening is the outcome of our attitude. While people envy the success of the wicked people, Psalmist was confident of their dreadful destiny. He warned all the nations of the dire consequences if they forget God. The attitude of the people of God should be different from others in that they should stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of the offenders. This Psalm assures that God won’t forget the needy, and He is always fulfilling the hopes of the afflicted and never lets them perish. This Psalm also brings out the just dealing of God, irrespective of rich or poor, righteous or wicked.

A Call for Judgment

Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.
Strike them with terror, LORD;
let the nations know they are only mortal.

Psalms 9:19-20

David was able to distinguish the redeemed people from the people who are not, and believed in the redemptive plan of God as he was sure that the mortal would clothe with immortality (1 Corinthians 15:54). David desired that wicked people should understand this truth and their plight, and return to God. Only when we realize that we are mortal, will we be able to grab the option that awaits us, immortality through Jesus Christ.

God, please give us the wisdom to understand your ways so that we may be able to guard our souls against eternal destruction, and thank you in gratitude for the eternal life that you have kept in store for us.