Defender Of The Poor And Helpless

Psalm 9:11-20

11Sing praises to the LORD who reigns in Jerusalem.

Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.

12For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless.

He does not ignore those who cry to him for help.

13LORD, have mercy on me.

See how I suffer at the hands of those who hate me.

Snatch me back from the jaws of death.

14Save me, so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates,

so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.

15The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others.

They have been caught in their own trap.

16The LORD is known for his justice.

The wicked have trapped themselves in their own snares.

Quiet Interlude

17The wicked will go down to the grave.

This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.

18For the needy will not be forgotten forever;

the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.

19Arise, O LORD!

Do not let mere mortals defy you!

Let the nations be judged in your presence!

20Make them tremble in fear, O LORD.

Let them know they are merely human.

Interlude

Although he was a king and a powerful warrior, David maintained a concern for the poor and needy. The story of his dealings with the crippled Mephibosheth is a beautiful example of his concern (2 Samuel 9). The fact that this story follows immediately after a chapter chronicling David’s military successes underscores David’s clear focus in this area.

In this psalm David rejoices that the Lord defends the poor and helpless as well. It is clear from the rest of Scripture that God holds a special concern for the poor and needy, just as David did (see Deuteronomy 15:11; Isaiah 58:7; Amos 2:7; and Luke 6:20). He is attentive to their cries and will bring them justice.

When troubles begin to press in around us, it is easy to think we are powerless to do anything about them. But David knew, and we should know, too, that we serve a powerful God who defends the helpless. We can call upon him to rescue us and trust that he will answer. This power that we find in God is a far greater power than any mortals can ever possess.

O Lord, you are a shelter

For all who are oppressed;

A refuge and a hiding place

For those who are distressed.

ISAAC WATTS

A Word on Words

Enosh is the Hebrew word used to refer to humanity when the emphasis is on frailty and mortality. It is used in Psalm 8:4 and in verses 19-20 of this chapter.

Notable Quotable

“Prayer is a haven to the shipwrecked, a staff to limbs that totter, a mine of jewels to the poor, a healer of disease, and a guardian of health.”

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM