Slideshow image

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart...I will sing praise to your name, O Most High...Tell among the peoples his deeds!"

~ Psalm 9:1a,2b,11b

 

David, whom God said was a man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), opens this psalm by declaring he will give thanks with his WHOLE HEART (v.1)(Deut. 6:5; Joshua 22:5; Mark 12:30), not with just a piece of his heart.  We must not hold back any part of our heart (or lives) for ourselves or for another.  God is the Creator-Owner of our hearts.  He is deserving/worthy of our whole heart and can be completely trusted with our whole heart.

David goes on to recount some of the LORD’s wonderful deeds that are the source of his thanksgiving.  God maintains the just cause and gives righteous judgments (v.4,8).  He rebukes the nations (v.5,17,19-20) and wipes out the very memory of his enemies (v.3,5-6).  He sits on his throne forever (v.4,7,11).  He is a stronghold for the oppressed and avenges the afflicted (v.9,12,18).

Without elaboration at this time, in verse 10 we find an OT presentation of the gospel.

The verses that caught my attention most in this reading are verses 13-14.  Why do I ask God to be gracious to me?...Is it for my own ease and comfort?...Or because I think I deserve it?...Or is it as David states, so that publicly I may recount his praises and rejoice in his salvation?  Will you pray for my heart as I pray for yours?

Give thanks to the LORD with your whole heart, sing praise to his name and tell among the peoples his deeds!