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Psalms

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Psalm 9

1 For the music director, according to the alumoth-labben style; a psalm of David. I will thank the Lord with all my heart! I will tell about all your amazing deeds. 2 I will be happy and rejoice in you. I will sing praises to you, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, they trip and are defeated before you. 4 For you defended my just cause; from your throne you pronounced a just decision. 5 You terrified the nations with your battle cry. You destroyed the wicked; you permanently wiped out all memory of them. 6 The enemy’s cities have been reduced to permanent ruins. You destroyed their cities;⁠ all memory of the enemies has perished.⁠ 7 But the Lord rules forever; he reigns in a just manner. 8 He judges the world fairly; he makes just legal decisions for the nations. 9 Consequently the Lord provides safety for the oppressed; he provides safety in times of trouble. 10 Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help. 11 Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion. Tell the nations what he has done. 12 For the one who takes revenge against murderers took notice of the oppressed; he did not overlook their cry for help⁠ 13 when they prayed: “Have mercy on me, Lord! See how I am oppressed by those who hate me, O one who can snatch me away from the gates of death! 14 Then I will tell about all your praiseworthy acts; in the gates of Daughter Zion I will rejoice because of your deliverance.” 15 The nations fell into the pit they had made; their feet were caught in the net they had hidden. 16 The Lord revealed himself; he accomplished justice. The wicked were ensnared by their own actions. (Higgaion. Selah) 17 The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol; this is the destiny of all the nations that ignore God, 18 for the needy are not permanently ignored, the hopes of the oppressed are not forever dashed. 19 Rise up, Lord! Don’t let men be defiant. May the nations be judged in your presence. 20 Terrify them, Lord.⁠ Let the nations know they are mere mortals. (Selah)

Texts in conversation

Compare Psalm 9:20 and LXX Psalm 9:21

Hebrew Bible · Septuagint

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Summary

Psalm 9 describes divine judgment on nations that ignore justice for the poor and oppressed. The Hebrew version ends with a harsh plea for God to terrify these nations, with the Greek Septuagint softening this by asking a law or ruler be set over them.

Passages

Psalm 9:20

Hebrew Bible
17 The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol; this is the destiny of all the nations that ignore God, 18 for the needy are not permanently ignored, the hopes of the oppressed are not forever dashed. 19 Rise up, Lord! Don’t let men be defiant. May the nations be judged in your presence. 20 Terrify them, Lord. Let the nations know they are mere mortals. (Selah)
600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

LXX Psalm 9:21

Septuagint
17 The Lord is known as executing judgments: the sinner is taken in the works of his hands. A song of Pause. 18 Let sinners be driven away into Hades, even all the nations that forget God. 19 For the poor shall not be forgotten for ever: the patience of the needy ones shall not perish for ever. 20 Arise, Lord, let not man prevail: let the pagan nations be judged before you. 21 Appoint, Lord, a lawgiver over them: let the pagan nations know that they are men. Pause.
100–1 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in LXX Psalms

References

"... There is a difficulty about the reading. The Septuagint, Vulgate, and Syriac all read “place a lawgiver or master over them.” So the Syriac has “law.” Hitzig conjectures, “set a guard upon them.” With the present reading apparently the rendering should be, put a terror upon them: i.e., “give such a proof of power as to trouble and subdue them.” ..."
C. J. Ellicot, Ellicott's Bible Commentary: A Verse by Verse Explanation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971), 979.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Psalm 9:20 and LXX Psalm 9:21

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