Psalms 9 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
9:1
1. Heartfelt gratitude will find utterance.
9:3–5
3-5. When ... are turned back--It is the result of God's power alone. He, as a righteous Judge (Psa 7:11), vindicates His people. He rebukes by acts as well as words (Psa 6:1; 18:15), and so effectually as to destroy the names of nations as well as persons.
9:6
6. Literally, "As to the enemy finished are his ruins for ever. Thou [God] hast destroyed," c. (1Sa 15:3, 7; 27:8, 9). The wicked are utterly undone. Their ruins shall never be repaired.
9:7–8
7-8. God's eternal possession of a throne of justice is contrasted with the ruin of the wicked.
9:9–10
9-10. The oppressed, and all who know Him (Psa 5:3; 7:1), find Him a sure refuge.
9:11
11. (Compare Psa 2:6; 3:4).
9:12
12. for blood--that is, murders (Psa 5:6), including all the oppressions of His people. maketh inquisition--(compare Ge 9:5). He will avenge their cause.
9:13
13. gates--or, "regions." of death--Gates being the entrance is put for the bounds.
9:14
14. gates ... Zion--The enclosure of the city (compare Psa 48:12; Is 23:12), or, church, as denoted by this phrase contrasted with that of death, carries out the idea of exaltation as well as deliverance. Signal favors should lead us to render signal and public thanks.
9:15–16
15-16. The undesigned results of the devices of the wicked prove them to be of God's overruling or ordering, especially when those results are destructive to the wicked themselves.
9:17
17. shall be turned--or, "shall turn," retreating under God's vengeance, and driven by Him to the extreme of destruction, even hell itself. Those who forget God are classed with the depraved and openly profane.
9:18
18. (Compare Psa 13:1-6). the needy--literally, "poor," as deprived of anything; hence miserable. expectation of the poor--or, "meek," "humble," made so by affliction.
9:19
19. Arise--(compare Psa 4:7). let not man--(Psa 8:4). let ... be judged--and of course condemned.
9:20
20. By their effectual subjection, make them to realize their frail nature (Psa 8:4), and deter them from all conceit and future rebellion.