Psalm 9 still has a lot of battle terminology, in keeping with previous psalms, but it also has some sweetness. It's amazing how rough the Psalms can be when they have a reputation for providing only comfort.
Verses 1 and 2 address the Lord. The speaker declares that he will talk about all the amazing things God has done, and he will be joyful in God's company.
Verses 3 through 6 reveal why the speaker is so happy--God has defeated his enemies for him. The speaker emphasizes God's kingliness, speaking of God sitting on a throne and passing judgement in his favor. God has erased the very names of the wicked from memory. I do find it interesting that the psalms never name-check the enemies of the speaker, even when it's King David talking and you know it would be natural for him to name those who opposed him.
Verses 7-12 praise the Lord and talk about his character traits. He is eternal, and he judges all people, but he is a righteous judge. People who are hurt or oppressed can run to God and be protected. If innocent blood is shed, he notices it and he will not let such sins go unpunished.
It looks like the speaker is beyond all troubles, but in verses 13-14, he makes a plea to God to save him yet again. I don't know if it's a past-tense plea where he's remembering all the problems he had before, or if he's slamming into the same problems again and again. Likely, the latter. Verses 15-20 again ask God to punish the evil people.
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1I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
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