Bible Commentaries

Psalm 9 and Psalm 10 are linked together by an irregular Acrostic (see notes on pp. 721, 722, and App-63), beginning at Psalms 9:1 and ending with Psalms 10:18. Seven letters are omitted. The Acrostic is irregular, corresponding with the "times of trouble". The notes will show how one subject pervades them (see H p. 721). Compare "the lawless one" (Psalms 9:5, Psalms 9:16 and Psalms 10:2, Psalms 10:4, Psalms 10:13, Psalms 10:15); "times of trouble" (Psalms 9:9 and Psalms 10:1); "the oppressed" (Hebrew. dak, crushed, Psalms 9:9 and Psalms 10:18; occurs only here and Psalms 74:21); "mortal men" (Psalms 9:19, Psalms 9:20 and Psalms 10:18); "forget" (Psalms 9:12, Psalms 9:17, Psalms 9:18 and Psalms 10:11, Psalms 10:12); "humble" (Psalms 9:12, Psalms 9:18, and Psalms 10:12, Psalms 10:17); "not alway" (Psalms 9:18, and "never", Psalms 10:11); "for ever and ever" (Psalms 9:5 and Psalms 10:16); "arise, Jehovah" (Psalms 9:19 and Psalms 10:12).

Title. A Psalm. See App-65.

I will = Let me.

MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon.

satest = hast sat.

right = righteously.

heathen = nations.

the wicked = a lawless one: i.e. the Antichrist. Compare Psalms 10:3, Psalms 10:13, Psalms 10:14, Psalms 10:15. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

put out = blotted out.

for ever, &c. Compare Psalms 10:16.

thou enemy. Same as the lawless one of Psalms 9:5.

destructions are come = complete is the destruction.

a perpetual end = for evermore. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "swords are abandoned".

endure = sit as king.

He, &c. Quoted in Acts 17:31.

the world = the habitable world. Hebrew. tebel. First occurrence in Psalms; never found with the Art.

people = peoples.

the oppressed = the crushed one. Compare Psalms 10:18.

times of trouble = the great time of trouble: i.e. the tribulation of Mat 24, Jer 30, &c. Compare Psalms 10:1.

Thy name. See note on Psalms 5:11.

put their trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. See App-69.

Zion. See App-68.

maketh inquisition for = inquireth concerning.

them: i.e. those named in Psalms 9:10.

forgetteth not. Compare Psalms 9:18 and Psalms 10:11, Psalms 10:12.

cry = outcry.

humble = oppressed. Compare Psalms 9:18 with Psalms 10:12, Psalms 10:17.

Have mercy = Be gracious, or favourable to.

praise. So some codices, with four early printed editions (one in margin). Other codices read "praises".

I will = that I may.

Higgaion = soliloquy, or meditation. See App-66.

Selah. Connecting the wicked one (singular) of Psalms 9:16 with the wicked ones (plural) of Psalms 9:17. See App-66.

wicked = wicked ones (plural) Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

turned = returned. Compare Job 21:26; Job 34:15. Psalms 104:29. Ecclesiastes 3:20; Ecclesiastes 12:7.

hell = the grave. Hebrew Sheol. App-35.

the needy = a needy one.

poor = oppressed. Compare Psalms 9:12.

not. Ellipsis of second negative. See note on Genesis 2:6.

man. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

in Thy sight = before Thee: i.e. at Thy coming.

Put them in fear = Appoint them some terror.

nations. As in Psalms 9:59