The Righteous One Anticipating the Setting up of the Throne of Judgement
 
This psalm breathes out David’s confidence in, and his praise of God. He has experienced deliverance from the gates of death (v. 13), and realises that it is in order to “show forth his praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion,” (v. 14). This also was our Lord’s experience, in that the bands of death and gates of brass could not hold Him, and He was delivered in order to sing God’s praise in the midst of the great congregation. 

David prays that the knowledge of God’s righteous government and sovereignty, may so affect nations that they might know themselves to be but men. The implication is weak, frail, dying men. It is well that we see ourselves as such, and so magnify and fear the One who is otherwise.

Psalm  9

   1  Lord, thee I'll praise with all my heart,
         thy wonders all proclaim.
   2  In thee, most High, I'll greatly joy,
         and sing unto thy name.

   3  When back my foes were turned, they fell,
         and perished at thy sight:
   4  For thou maintain'dst my right and cause;
         on throne sat'st judging right.

   5  The heathen thou rebuked hast,
         the wicked overthrown;
      Thou hast put out their names, that they
         may never more be known.

   6  O en'my! now destructions have
         an end perpetual:
      Thou cities razed; perished with them
         is their memorial.

   7  God shall endure for aye; he doth
         for judgment set his throne;
   8  In righteousness to judge the world,
         justice to give each one.

   9  God also will a refuge be
         for those that are oppressed;
      A refuge will he be in times
         of trouble to distressed.

  10  And they that know thy name, in thee
         their confidence will place:
      For thou hast not forsaken them
         that truly seek thy face.

  11  O sing ye praises to the Lord,
         that dwells in Zion hill;
      And all the nations among
         his deeds record ye still.

  12  When he enquireth after blood,
         he then rememb'reth them:
      The humble folk he not forgets
         that call upon his name.

  13  Lord, pity me; behold the grief
         which I from foes sustain;
      Ev'n thou, who from the gates of death
         dost raise me up again;

  14  That I, in Zion's daughters' gates,
         may all thy praise advance;
      And that I may rejoice always
         in thy deliverance.

  15  The heathen are sunk in the pit
         which they themselves prepared;
      And in the net which they have hid
         their own feet fast are snared.

  16  The Lord is by the judgment known
         which he himself hath wrought:
      The sinners' hands do make the snares
         wherewith themselves are caught.

  17  They who are wicked into hell
         each one shall turned be;
      And all the nations that forget
         to seek the Lord most high.

  18  For they that needy are shall not
         forgotten be alway;
      The expectation of the poor
         shall not be lost for aye.

  19  Arise, Lord, let not man prevail;
         judge heathen in thy sight:
  20  That they may know themselves but men,
         the nations, Lord, affright.