1 00:00:00,799 --> 00:00:02,960 Let's remain standing now for the reading of 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,219 God's word which is from Psalm 9. 3 00:00:05,679 --> 00:00:07,139 Again, Psalm 9. 4 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:10,179 Please listen now 5 00:00:10,639 --> 00:00:12,259 to the reading of God's word. 6 00:00:15,964 --> 00:00:17,184 To the choir master, 7 00:00:17,885 --> 00:00:18,785 according to, 8 00:00:20,045 --> 00:00:21,824 a psalm of David. 9 00:00:23,725 --> 00:00:25,564 I will give thanks to the lord with 10 00:00:25,564 --> 00:00:26,545 my whole heart. 11 00:00:27,289 --> 00:00:28,189 I will recount 12 00:00:28,570 --> 00:00:29,869 all of your wonderful 13 00:00:30,570 --> 00:00:32,729 deeds. I will be glad and exalt in 14 00:00:32,729 --> 00:00:33,229 you. 15 00:00:33,770 --> 00:00:35,929 I will sing praises to your name, oh 16 00:00:35,929 --> 00:00:36,750 most high. 17 00:00:37,769 --> 00:00:39,390 When my enemies turn back, 18 00:00:39,825 --> 00:00:40,564 they stumble 19 00:00:40,945 --> 00:00:42,965 and perish before your presence, 20 00:00:43,905 --> 00:00:46,164 for you have maintained my just cause. 21 00:00:46,945 --> 00:00:49,184 You have sat on the throne giving righteous 22 00:00:49,184 --> 00:00:49,684 judgment. 23 00:00:50,545 --> 00:00:52,004 You have rebuked the nations. 24 00:00:52,945 --> 00:00:54,804 You have made the wicked perish. 25 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:58,280 You have blotted out their names forever and 26 00:00:58,280 --> 00:00:58,780 ever. 27 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:02,140 The enemy came to an end in everlasting 28 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:02,780 ruins. 29 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,099 Their cities, you rooted out. 30 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,739 The very memory of them has perished. 31 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:10,859 But the lord sits enthroned forever. 32 00:01:11,484 --> 00:01:13,664 He has established his throne for justice, 33 00:01:14,204 --> 00:01:16,384 and he judges the world with righteousness. 34 00:01:17,244 --> 00:01:19,265 He judges the peoples with uprightness. 35 00:01:20,284 --> 00:01:23,265 The lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, 36 00:01:23,724 --> 00:01:25,825 a stronghold in times of trouble. 37 00:01:26,430 --> 00:01:28,209 And those who know your name 38 00:01:28,590 --> 00:01:30,670 put their trust in you, for you, oh 39 00:01:30,670 --> 00:01:32,370 lord, have not forsaken 40 00:01:32,750 --> 00:01:34,130 those who seek you. 41 00:01:34,670 --> 00:01:37,069 Sing praises to the lord who sits enthroned 42 00:01:37,069 --> 00:01:37,730 in Zion. 43 00:01:38,109 --> 00:01:39,890 Tell among the peoples his deeds, 44 00:01:40,344 --> 00:01:43,325 for he who avenges blood is mindful of 45 00:01:43,465 --> 00:01:45,704 them. He does not forget the cry of 46 00:01:45,704 --> 00:01:46,364 the afflicted. 47 00:01:47,384 --> 00:01:49,384 Be gracious to me, oh lord. See my 48 00:01:49,384 --> 00:01:51,405 affliction from those who hate me. 49 00:01:52,265 --> 00:01:54,265 Oh, you who lift me up from the 50 00:01:54,265 --> 00:01:56,750 gates of death, that I may recount all 51 00:01:56,750 --> 00:01:58,829 your praises, that in the gates of the 52 00:01:58,829 --> 00:02:01,069 daughter of Zion, I may rejoice in your 53 00:02:01,069 --> 00:02:01,569 salvation. 54 00:02:02,590 --> 00:02:05,230 The nations have sunk in the pit that 55 00:02:05,230 --> 00:02:05,890 they made. 56 00:02:06,270 --> 00:02:07,890 In the net that they hid, 57 00:02:08,189 --> 00:02:10,050 their own foot has been caught. 58 00:02:10,715 --> 00:02:12,574 The lord has made himself known. 59 00:02:12,955 --> 00:02:14,415 He has executed judgment. 60 00:02:14,955 --> 00:02:17,115 The wicked are snared in the work of 61 00:02:17,115 --> 00:02:18,175 their own hands. 62 00:02:19,275 --> 00:02:21,294 The wicked shall return to Sheol, 63 00:02:21,754 --> 00:02:23,775 all the nations that forget god. 64 00:02:24,230 --> 00:02:26,889 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, 65 00:02:27,590 --> 00:02:30,069 and the hope of the poor shall not 66 00:02:30,069 --> 00:02:30,889 perish forever. 67 00:02:31,909 --> 00:02:33,210 Arise, oh lord. 68 00:02:33,590 --> 00:02:35,830 Let not man prevail. Let the nations be 69 00:02:35,830 --> 00:02:36,969 judged before you. 70 00:02:37,354 --> 00:02:38,254 Put them in 71 00:02:38,634 --> 00:02:39,534 fear, oh lord. 72 00:02:39,834 --> 00:02:41,294 Let the nations know 73 00:02:41,674 --> 00:02:43,375 that they are but men. 74 00:02:43,995 --> 00:02:45,454 This is the word of the lord. 75 00:02:46,074 --> 00:02:48,014 Thanks be to god. Please be seated. 76 00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:05,409 Well, in Samuel 1st in in first Samuel 77 00:03:05,469 --> 00:03:05,969 17, 78 00:03:06,675 --> 00:03:09,014 you'll find a familiar bible story 79 00:03:09,634 --> 00:03:10,854 brimming with drama, 80 00:03:11,474 --> 00:03:11,974 determination, 81 00:03:12,914 --> 00:03:14,294 and divine intervention. 82 00:03:15,474 --> 00:03:16,215 The Israelites, 83 00:03:16,834 --> 00:03:17,814 gripped by fear, 84 00:03:18,194 --> 00:03:20,534 face the towering menace of Goliath, 85 00:03:21,129 --> 00:03:23,629 a Philistine warrior whose imposing 86 00:03:24,009 --> 00:03:25,469 size inspires terror, 87 00:03:25,849 --> 00:03:26,830 and whose strength 88 00:03:27,210 --> 00:03:27,949 and ferocity 89 00:03:28,729 --> 00:03:30,509 makes him seem all but invincible. 90 00:03:32,169 --> 00:03:34,509 For 40 days, Goliath taunts 91 00:03:34,810 --> 00:03:36,189 the armies of Israel, 92 00:03:36,594 --> 00:03:39,074 defying them to send out a champion to 93 00:03:39,074 --> 00:03:40,854 come and do battle against him. 94 00:03:41,395 --> 00:03:42,694 The stakes are high. 95 00:03:43,395 --> 00:03:44,294 Since defeat 96 00:03:44,675 --> 00:03:45,655 means slavery 97 00:03:46,514 --> 00:03:47,175 and death. 98 00:03:47,634 --> 00:03:50,215 And since the courage of king Saul falters, 99 00:03:50,860 --> 00:03:51,840 a mood of despair 100 00:03:52,539 --> 00:03:53,360 and doom 101 00:03:53,739 --> 00:03:54,239 descends 102 00:03:54,860 --> 00:03:56,560 upon the people of Israel. 103 00:03:57,500 --> 00:03:58,319 But defeat 104 00:03:59,019 --> 00:04:00,080 is not the destiny 105 00:04:00,539 --> 00:04:03,259 of god's people. So in god's providence, a 106 00:04:03,259 --> 00:04:04,080 young shepherd 107 00:04:04,555 --> 00:04:05,375 from Bethlehem, 108 00:04:05,915 --> 00:04:07,915 sent by his father to deliver food to 109 00:04:07,915 --> 00:04:09,215 his brothers on the battlefield, 110 00:04:09,995 --> 00:04:11,534 was destined by god 111 00:04:11,835 --> 00:04:13,455 to deliver victory instead. 112 00:04:14,395 --> 00:04:16,335 So while Israel seasoned warriors 113 00:04:16,919 --> 00:04:19,319 stand in the shadow of the giant, shaking 114 00:04:19,319 --> 00:04:20,220 in their armor, 115 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,879 David takes refuge in the shadow of god's 116 00:04:23,879 --> 00:04:26,860 wing. And armed with nothing but a staff 117 00:04:27,319 --> 00:04:28,220 and a sling 118 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:29,740 and 5 stones, 119 00:04:30,199 --> 00:04:32,459 he approaches Goliath without fear. 120 00:04:33,535 --> 00:04:36,574 Goliath, standing behind his shield bearer, is in 121 00:04:36,574 --> 00:04:37,314 utter disbelief 122 00:04:37,774 --> 00:04:40,435 at the absurdity of the scene that's unfolding 123 00:04:40,495 --> 00:04:41,235 before him. 124 00:04:41,615 --> 00:04:44,415 So he moves towards David, mocking him and 125 00:04:44,415 --> 00:04:45,394 cursing him, 126 00:04:46,415 --> 00:04:48,115 but David does not back down. 127 00:04:48,870 --> 00:04:49,529 He cries out, 128 00:04:51,750 --> 00:04:52,569 this day, 129 00:04:53,270 --> 00:04:56,250 the lord will deliver you into my hand 130 00:04:56,709 --> 00:04:57,770 for the battle 131 00:04:58,470 --> 00:04:59,290 is the lord's. 132 00:05:00,389 --> 00:05:03,055 As Goliath charges David, the young shepherd from 133 00:05:03,055 --> 00:05:05,774 Israel runs toward the giant and slings a 134 00:05:05,774 --> 00:05:09,055 stone toward him striking the Philistine on his 135 00:05:09,055 --> 00:05:09,555 forehead. 136 00:05:10,894 --> 00:05:13,454 When Goliath falls on his face, David runs 137 00:05:13,454 --> 00:05:14,834 to him, takes his sword, 138 00:05:15,214 --> 00:05:17,569 and uses it to cut his head off. 139 00:05:18,750 --> 00:05:22,129 David's victory over Goliath is a powerful testimony 140 00:05:22,750 --> 00:05:23,730 of God's providence, 141 00:05:24,350 --> 00:05:27,250 reminding us that God will judge the wicked 142 00:05:27,389 --> 00:05:30,670 and vindicate his people even when all hope 143 00:05:30,670 --> 00:05:31,569 seems lost. 144 00:05:32,125 --> 00:05:34,365 This morning, we're looking at Psalm 9, a 145 00:05:34,365 --> 00:05:36,944 psalm written by David and conveying the central 146 00:05:37,004 --> 00:05:37,504 truth 147 00:05:37,964 --> 00:05:40,225 that because God is good and just, 148 00:05:40,764 --> 00:05:41,904 you can have confidence 149 00:05:42,444 --> 00:05:43,185 in providence. 150 00:05:44,300 --> 00:05:45,819 That's the main point that I want you 151 00:05:45,819 --> 00:05:48,060 to remember today, that because god is good 152 00:05:48,060 --> 00:05:50,000 and just, you can have confidence 153 00:05:50,459 --> 00:05:52,620 in providence. And as we explore Psalm 9 154 00:05:52,620 --> 00:05:55,819 together, we'll do so under 3 headings. First 155 00:05:55,819 --> 00:05:58,319 of all, god is worthy of our praise. 156 00:05:59,865 --> 00:06:00,365 Secondly, 157 00:06:01,545 --> 00:06:02,685 God is attentive 158 00:06:03,064 --> 00:06:03,964 to our prayers. 159 00:06:05,865 --> 00:06:06,685 And thirdly, 160 00:06:07,705 --> 00:06:08,845 God is faithful 161 00:06:09,464 --> 00:06:10,444 in his providence. 162 00:06:11,050 --> 00:06:13,050 God is worthy of our praise, God is 163 00:06:13,050 --> 00:06:15,550 attentive to our prayers, and God is faithful 164 00:06:15,850 --> 00:06:16,750 in his providence. 165 00:06:17,290 --> 00:06:19,129 Now as we begin our study of Psalm 166 00:06:19,129 --> 00:06:21,310 9, let me briefly point out to you 167 00:06:21,610 --> 00:06:24,410 that the Greek and Latin versions of the 168 00:06:24,410 --> 00:06:25,069 Old Testament 169 00:06:25,634 --> 00:06:27,714 consider both Psalms 9 and 10 to actually 170 00:06:27,714 --> 00:06:28,774 be one psalm, 171 00:06:29,314 --> 00:06:29,814 together. 172 00:06:30,354 --> 00:06:32,214 This is partly because Psalm 10 173 00:06:32,595 --> 00:06:35,394 lacks a title, which is unusual for the 174 00:06:35,394 --> 00:06:36,694 first 40, 175 00:06:37,235 --> 00:06:39,714 verses for the first 40 Psalms in in 176 00:06:39,714 --> 00:06:40,375 our psalter, 177 00:06:40,769 --> 00:06:42,709 but also because it seems to continue 178 00:06:43,250 --> 00:06:46,370 an acrostic pattern that begins in Psalm 9 179 00:06:46,370 --> 00:06:47,110 and concludes 180 00:06:47,490 --> 00:06:48,870 at the end of Psalm 10. 181 00:06:49,250 --> 00:06:51,649 Each verse in the original Hebrew begins with 182 00:06:51,649 --> 00:06:54,035 one of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet, 183 00:06:54,415 --> 00:06:56,814 and it does so continually from Psalm 9 184 00:06:56,814 --> 00:06:59,455 through Psalm 10 with some gaps in between, 185 00:06:59,455 --> 00:07:01,795 but nevertheless following a pattern. 186 00:07:03,055 --> 00:07:05,775 However, the Hebrew Psalter treats them as separate 187 00:07:05,775 --> 00:07:06,275 Psalms, 188 00:07:07,050 --> 00:07:09,050 and this is supported by many things among 189 00:07:09,050 --> 00:07:11,870 which is the stark contrast between Psalm 190 00:07:12,329 --> 00:07:14,730 9 and 10. There's a significant change in 191 00:07:14,730 --> 00:07:17,529 tone that begins at the first verse in 192 00:07:17,529 --> 00:07:20,490 Psalm 10. So we'll follow the original Hebrew 193 00:07:20,490 --> 00:07:23,365 order, which is preserved in our bibles, and 194 00:07:23,365 --> 00:07:25,544 we'll take Psalm 9 and 10 as distinct 195 00:07:26,165 --> 00:07:29,285 companion pieces that address, on the one hand, 196 00:07:29,285 --> 00:07:31,524 the certainty of our heavenly hope, and on 197 00:07:31,524 --> 00:07:33,064 the other hand, the challenge 198 00:07:33,444 --> 00:07:35,384 of our temporal trials. 199 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,920 So let's focus our attention then on Psalm 200 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:40,420 9 this morning by considering our first heading 201 00:07:40,639 --> 00:07:41,939 that God is worthy 202 00:07:42,319 --> 00:07:43,379 of our praise. 203 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,400 Notice that in the first twelve verses of 204 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:47,300 Psalm 9, 205 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:50,660 David's language is brimming with praise. 206 00:07:51,335 --> 00:07:51,995 In fact, 207 00:07:52,375 --> 00:07:54,295 notice that in the first two verses of 208 00:07:54,295 --> 00:07:55,995 this section, verses 12, 209 00:07:57,254 --> 00:07:59,895 David praises god, and in the last two 210 00:07:59,895 --> 00:08:02,475 verses of this section, verses 11 to 12, 211 00:08:03,014 --> 00:08:06,215 David praises god again by calling others to 212 00:08:06,215 --> 00:08:09,649 praise him. So verses 12 and verses 112 213 00:08:10,029 --> 00:08:11,329 are all about 214 00:08:11,789 --> 00:08:12,289 God's 215 00:08:12,589 --> 00:08:14,910 being praised by David and then by all 216 00:08:14,910 --> 00:08:16,669 of his people. You might say that this 217 00:08:16,669 --> 00:08:19,149 whole section is wrapped up and delivered to 218 00:08:19,149 --> 00:08:22,050 us in glorious language of praise. 219 00:08:23,035 --> 00:08:24,975 In verses 1 and 2, David writes, 220 00:08:26,074 --> 00:08:27,834 I will give thanks to the Lord with 221 00:08:27,834 --> 00:08:30,014 my whole heart. I will recount 222 00:08:30,555 --> 00:08:32,254 all of your wonderful deeds. 223 00:08:32,634 --> 00:08:35,215 I will be glad and exalt in you. 224 00:08:35,274 --> 00:08:37,674 I will sing praise to your name, O 225 00:08:37,674 --> 00:08:38,735 Most High. 226 00:08:39,730 --> 00:08:42,309 Notice the manifold ways in which David manifests 227 00:08:42,370 --> 00:08:43,909 his praise for God. 228 00:08:44,690 --> 00:08:47,569 First of all, he exudes an attitude of 229 00:08:47,569 --> 00:08:48,069 gratitude. 230 00:08:49,009 --> 00:08:51,350 He gives thanks to God with his whole 231 00:08:51,409 --> 00:08:51,909 heart. 232 00:08:53,014 --> 00:08:55,575 The Hebrew word for heart doesn't simply refer 233 00:08:55,575 --> 00:08:57,815 to the organ that pumps blood through our 234 00:08:57,815 --> 00:08:58,315 veins, 235 00:08:58,615 --> 00:09:00,235 but refers to the inner person, 236 00:09:00,774 --> 00:09:01,995 to one's will, 237 00:09:02,375 --> 00:09:03,514 to one's disposition. 238 00:09:04,830 --> 00:09:07,009 In other words, true praise of God 239 00:09:07,470 --> 00:09:09,970 entails living with a wholeheartedly 240 00:09:10,910 --> 00:09:12,050 grateful posture. 241 00:09:13,070 --> 00:09:14,450 It's difficult to overstate 242 00:09:15,629 --> 00:09:17,730 the importance of this principle 243 00:09:18,190 --> 00:09:20,315 in our day and age. We live in 244 00:09:20,315 --> 00:09:21,615 a time of unprecedented 245 00:09:21,995 --> 00:09:23,134 levels of depression 246 00:09:23,514 --> 00:09:24,254 and anxiety. 247 00:09:25,434 --> 00:09:27,855 Factors like increased screen time, 248 00:09:28,715 --> 00:09:29,375 the toxicity 249 00:09:29,995 --> 00:09:31,134 of social media, 250 00:09:31,674 --> 00:09:33,375 and reduced physical activity, 251 00:09:34,289 --> 00:09:34,789 together 252 00:09:35,090 --> 00:09:37,350 with fears stemming from, 253 00:09:37,889 --> 00:09:40,529 even the recent pandemic, for example, or the 254 00:09:40,529 --> 00:09:41,909 threat of world war, 255 00:09:42,610 --> 00:09:43,669 or the politicization 256 00:09:44,049 --> 00:09:46,230 of everything in our lives 257 00:09:46,625 --> 00:09:49,105 have all conspired to usher in a new 258 00:09:49,105 --> 00:09:50,085 age of misery. 259 00:09:51,424 --> 00:09:52,725 The emotional ruts 260 00:09:53,105 --> 00:09:56,004 that we experience is exacerbated by a materialistic 261 00:09:56,464 --> 00:09:58,804 social ethic that incentivizes 262 00:09:59,825 --> 00:10:01,044 a pseudo victimhood 263 00:10:01,950 --> 00:10:03,090 rooted in egotism, 264 00:10:04,029 --> 00:10:04,529 covetousness, 265 00:10:05,710 --> 00:10:06,529 and greed. 266 00:10:07,950 --> 00:10:09,330 In stark contrast 267 00:10:09,950 --> 00:10:10,929 to all of this, 268 00:10:11,389 --> 00:10:13,970 Psalm 9 calls us to cultivate gratitude 269 00:10:14,684 --> 00:10:17,504 by lifting our gaze away from ourselves 270 00:10:17,884 --> 00:10:19,105 and toward the Lord. 271 00:10:20,125 --> 00:10:22,285 Even though life in this fallen world can 272 00:10:22,285 --> 00:10:23,264 be very hard, 273 00:10:23,804 --> 00:10:27,565 we always can and we always should find 274 00:10:27,565 --> 00:10:29,424 good reasons to thank God. 275 00:10:30,500 --> 00:10:31,639 In James 117, 276 00:10:32,339 --> 00:10:35,299 our lord's brother reminds us that every good 277 00:10:35,299 --> 00:10:37,480 gift and every perfect gift 278 00:10:37,940 --> 00:10:39,860 is from above, that it comes from above, 279 00:10:39,860 --> 00:10:41,620 that it comes down from the father of 280 00:10:41,620 --> 00:10:42,120 lights. 281 00:10:43,454 --> 00:10:45,394 Furthermore, in Luke 10 verse 20, 282 00:10:45,934 --> 00:10:48,735 Jesus says that we should rejoice that our 283 00:10:48,735 --> 00:10:50,595 names are written in heaven. 284 00:10:51,454 --> 00:10:52,355 In other words, 285 00:10:53,054 --> 00:10:54,914 everything good in our lives 286 00:10:55,690 --> 00:10:57,629 from each breath that we take, 287 00:10:58,490 --> 00:11:01,470 even to our very salvation itself, 288 00:11:02,009 --> 00:11:04,190 should motivate us to rejoice 289 00:11:04,570 --> 00:11:06,750 in God's goodness, to be grateful 290 00:11:07,129 --> 00:11:09,289 for the mercies, for the gifts, for the 291 00:11:09,289 --> 00:11:10,829 grace that God gives us. 292 00:11:11,825 --> 00:11:14,465 Imagine what good it would do to your 293 00:11:14,465 --> 00:11:14,965 soul 294 00:11:15,585 --> 00:11:18,404 if each morning you praise god for someone 295 00:11:18,945 --> 00:11:19,845 or for something 296 00:11:20,304 --> 00:11:21,125 in your life. 297 00:11:22,304 --> 00:11:24,245 Maybe you can try that out this week. 298 00:11:25,070 --> 00:11:25,970 You might consider 299 00:11:26,509 --> 00:11:29,649 each day a specific person in your family 300 00:11:30,269 --> 00:11:31,649 or one of your friends 301 00:11:32,029 --> 00:11:32,850 that you can, 302 00:11:33,309 --> 00:11:34,830 that that you can call to mind that 303 00:11:34,830 --> 00:11:37,089 day and consider how that person in particular 304 00:11:37,389 --> 00:11:39,089 is a blessing for your life. 305 00:11:40,205 --> 00:11:41,985 You can praise god for that person. 306 00:11:42,524 --> 00:11:44,764 You can pray for that person. You might 307 00:11:44,764 --> 00:11:46,605 even call or text that person to let 308 00:11:46,605 --> 00:11:48,044 them know that you prayed for them and 309 00:11:48,044 --> 00:11:50,524 that you're thankful for them. Can you imagine 310 00:11:50,524 --> 00:11:51,884 what that would do not only to your 311 00:11:51,884 --> 00:11:53,585 heart, but for that person's heart? 312 00:11:54,149 --> 00:11:56,309 Again, you would be cultivating an attitude of 313 00:11:56,309 --> 00:11:57,690 gratitude that is appropriate 314 00:11:58,149 --> 00:11:58,970 for the Christian. 315 00:12:00,070 --> 00:12:00,570 Secondly, 316 00:12:01,190 --> 00:12:04,409 David praises god by declaring his wonderful deeds. 317 00:12:05,269 --> 00:12:07,769 This encourages us to recall and recount 318 00:12:08,345 --> 00:12:10,205 God's marvelous works. 319 00:12:11,144 --> 00:12:13,545 Reading through your prayer journals, as I know 320 00:12:13,545 --> 00:12:15,065 some of you keep prayer journals, which is 321 00:12:15,065 --> 00:12:16,985 a very good practice, as you read through 322 00:12:16,985 --> 00:12:17,485 those, 323 00:12:18,024 --> 00:12:19,485 that might bring to mind 324 00:12:19,865 --> 00:12:22,445 how God has answered prayers in the past, 325 00:12:23,039 --> 00:12:24,820 and this can serve to increase 326 00:12:25,279 --> 00:12:25,779 your 327 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:26,580 gratitude 328 00:12:27,039 --> 00:12:28,019 for your Lord 329 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:29,779 and also strengthen 330 00:12:30,159 --> 00:12:31,860 your faith as you do that. 331 00:12:32,399 --> 00:12:34,100 And this might cause you to proclaim 332 00:12:34,799 --> 00:12:37,059 God's goodness to others. And as you proclaim 333 00:12:37,524 --> 00:12:39,845 these things, not only will that serve to 334 00:12:39,845 --> 00:12:42,504 give you hope and to give them hope 335 00:12:42,725 --> 00:12:45,125 by pointing them to Christ, but it will 336 00:12:45,125 --> 00:12:47,225 also serve to complete your joy 337 00:12:47,764 --> 00:12:50,884 because joy is not complete until we express 338 00:12:50,884 --> 00:12:52,424 it and share it with others. 339 00:12:53,190 --> 00:12:54,870 This is why going to a ballgame in 340 00:12:54,870 --> 00:12:56,889 a stadium in person, for example, 341 00:12:57,269 --> 00:12:59,929 is a much better experience than watching it 342 00:13:00,389 --> 00:13:01,210 on a screen. 343 00:13:01,990 --> 00:13:04,710 Because in because in going, you you are 344 00:13:04,710 --> 00:13:07,429 physically there, and you share that experience, and 345 00:13:07,429 --> 00:13:10,014 you participate in that experience with others, and 346 00:13:10,014 --> 00:13:12,575 it makes it that much more joyful. The 347 00:13:12,575 --> 00:13:14,575 great English author, C. S. Lewis, puts it 348 00:13:14,575 --> 00:13:17,215 this way. He writes, I think we delight 349 00:13:17,215 --> 00:13:18,675 to praise what we enjoy 350 00:13:19,295 --> 00:13:21,634 because the praise not merely expresses, 351 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:23,059 but completes 352 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:24,340 the enjoyment. 353 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:27,299 It is its appointed consummation. 354 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:30,420 It is not out of compliment 355 00:13:30,879 --> 00:13:33,200 that lovers keep on telling one another how 356 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:34,340 beautiful they are. 357 00:13:35,004 --> 00:13:36,464 The delight is incomplete 358 00:13:37,324 --> 00:13:39,105 until it is expressed. 359 00:13:40,684 --> 00:13:42,625 Therefore, we when we recount 360 00:13:43,164 --> 00:13:45,644 God's wonderful deeds to others, not only do 361 00:13:45,644 --> 00:13:48,039 we bless them by sharing with them the 362 00:13:48,039 --> 00:13:50,919 source of our hope, but we ourselves are 363 00:13:50,919 --> 00:13:53,899 blessed in that very process of sharing. 364 00:13:55,159 --> 00:13:55,659 Finally, 365 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:59,000 David praises God by rejoicing and exalting in 366 00:13:59,000 --> 00:13:59,500 him, 367 00:14:00,044 --> 00:14:01,264 which culminates David's, 368 00:14:01,804 --> 00:14:03,024 in David extolling, 369 00:14:04,365 --> 00:14:06,144 God's name through singing. 370 00:14:07,085 --> 00:14:07,985 The truth is 371 00:14:08,524 --> 00:14:10,445 that as we praise God for all the 372 00:14:10,445 --> 00:14:12,659 good gifts that he gives us and we 373 00:14:12,659 --> 00:14:15,080 praise God by recalling and recounting 374 00:14:15,940 --> 00:14:17,799 the wonderful deeds of the Lord, 375 00:14:18,340 --> 00:14:19,879 the reality of his goodness, 376 00:14:20,580 --> 00:14:23,379 his power, and his love are ever before 377 00:14:23,379 --> 00:14:23,879 us. 378 00:14:24,754 --> 00:14:25,735 And this inevitably 379 00:14:26,274 --> 00:14:27,495 lifts our spirits 380 00:14:27,875 --> 00:14:30,134 to a joyous crescendo of hope, 381 00:14:30,514 --> 00:14:32,934 compelling our lips to sing praises to God. 382 00:14:33,554 --> 00:14:36,295 Brothers and sisters, is this not a beautiful 383 00:14:36,434 --> 00:14:36,934 illustration 384 00:14:37,554 --> 00:14:38,774 of what our disposition 385 00:14:39,519 --> 00:14:41,600 ought to be when we gather for worship 386 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:42,740 on the Lord's day. 387 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:45,679 This is what it means to worship God 388 00:14:45,679 --> 00:14:48,639 in spirit and in truth. The joyous lifting 389 00:14:48,639 --> 00:14:50,100 of our voices in song, 390 00:14:51,039 --> 00:14:52,419 recalling and recounting 391 00:14:53,034 --> 00:14:56,394 his marvelous works, having our hearts shaped by 392 00:14:56,394 --> 00:14:59,215 his transformative grace. This is how the Christian 393 00:14:59,595 --> 00:15:02,075 ought to praise God on the Lord's day 394 00:15:02,075 --> 00:15:04,095 and how the Christian ought to praise God 395 00:15:04,235 --> 00:15:05,134 every day. 396 00:15:06,139 --> 00:15:07,600 In verses 3 to 6, 397 00:15:08,059 --> 00:15:10,220 David praises God because he has defeated the 398 00:15:10,220 --> 00:15:11,679 wicked. He writes, 399 00:15:12,620 --> 00:15:15,980 when my enemies turn back, they stumble and 400 00:15:15,980 --> 00:15:17,360 perish before your presence, 401 00:15:18,139 --> 00:15:20,480 for you have maintained my just cause. 402 00:15:20,834 --> 00:15:22,914 You have sat on the throne giving righteous 403 00:15:22,914 --> 00:15:23,414 judgment. 404 00:15:23,875 --> 00:15:25,414 You have rebuked the nations. 405 00:15:25,875 --> 00:15:27,495 You have made the wicked perish. 406 00:15:28,034 --> 00:15:30,674 You have blotted out their names forever and 407 00:15:30,674 --> 00:15:31,174 ever. 408 00:15:31,875 --> 00:15:33,894 The enemy came to an end in everlasting 409 00:15:33,954 --> 00:15:36,480 ruins. Their cities you rooted out, the very 410 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:36,980 memory 411 00:15:37,279 --> 00:15:37,940 of them 412 00:15:38,559 --> 00:15:39,379 has perished. 413 00:15:40,559 --> 00:15:43,059 In verses 3 4, David praises God 414 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:44,659 for being his deliverer. 415 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:47,919 And in verses 5 and 6, he praises 416 00:15:47,919 --> 00:15:50,179 God for being the deliverer of his people. 417 00:15:51,164 --> 00:15:52,705 This last point can be seen 418 00:15:53,485 --> 00:15:56,445 by David's mention of God's judgment on the 419 00:15:56,445 --> 00:15:56,945 nations. 420 00:15:57,404 --> 00:16:00,465 Now this is not a racist or xenophobic 421 00:16:01,164 --> 00:16:03,940 statement by David in mentioning the nations. The 422 00:16:03,940 --> 00:16:06,600 nations simply represent the enemies of God, 423 00:16:07,139 --> 00:16:07,799 the enemies 424 00:16:08,259 --> 00:16:09,320 of God's people. 425 00:16:10,659 --> 00:16:11,480 God's people 426 00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:13,320 bear his name, 427 00:16:14,019 --> 00:16:17,165 and people from every tribe, from every language, 428 00:16:17,165 --> 00:16:19,404 from every tongue, from every race have been 429 00:16:19,404 --> 00:16:19,904 adopted 430 00:16:20,524 --> 00:16:22,065 into his family. 431 00:16:22,925 --> 00:16:26,304 The reason why God's name is not forgotten 432 00:16:26,925 --> 00:16:29,565 is because he preserves his people who bear 433 00:16:29,565 --> 00:16:32,259 his name and with our lives and with 434 00:16:32,259 --> 00:16:33,720 our words give him glory. 435 00:16:35,059 --> 00:16:36,440 In contrast to this, 436 00:16:36,980 --> 00:16:38,279 the names of the nations, 437 00:16:39,059 --> 00:16:41,860 those in rebellion against God, those outside of 438 00:16:41,860 --> 00:16:43,720 the household of God 439 00:16:44,259 --> 00:16:45,399 are blotted out 440 00:16:45,785 --> 00:16:47,644 and their memory is forgotten 441 00:16:48,024 --> 00:16:49,404 according to Psalm 9. 442 00:16:50,184 --> 00:16:52,825 This teaches us to praise God for our 443 00:16:52,825 --> 00:16:53,884 personal salvation. 444 00:16:54,424 --> 00:16:56,184 He's the one who delivers us from the 445 00:16:56,184 --> 00:16:56,684 dangers 446 00:16:57,065 --> 00:16:58,045 in this life, 447 00:16:58,610 --> 00:17:00,790 from those who seek to do us harm, 448 00:17:00,850 --> 00:17:01,670 but especially 449 00:17:02,370 --> 00:17:04,710 from the one who seeks to destroy 450 00:17:05,170 --> 00:17:06,070 our souls. 451 00:17:07,170 --> 00:17:08,390 God is the source, 452 00:17:09,009 --> 00:17:09,750 the strength, 453 00:17:10,130 --> 00:17:11,990 and the seal of our salvation. 454 00:17:12,690 --> 00:17:14,070 The father elects us, 455 00:17:14,775 --> 00:17:16,234 the son delivers us, 456 00:17:16,695 --> 00:17:17,515 and the spirit 457 00:17:18,055 --> 00:17:19,275 regenerates us. 458 00:17:19,734 --> 00:17:20,875 We simply receive 459 00:17:21,174 --> 00:17:22,475 this amazing gift. 460 00:17:22,934 --> 00:17:25,434 The credit and the glory for our salvation 461 00:17:25,654 --> 00:17:26,475 are entirely 462 00:17:27,250 --> 00:17:29,589 his. He is the alpha and the omega 463 00:17:29,890 --> 00:17:30,950 of our salvation. 464 00:17:32,210 --> 00:17:34,769 This also teaches us to praise God for 465 00:17:34,769 --> 00:17:36,789 defending and preserving the church. 466 00:17:37,490 --> 00:17:38,710 What great confidence 467 00:17:39,009 --> 00:17:40,950 this gives us as we plant this church. 468 00:17:41,444 --> 00:17:44,585 The forces of Satan will oppose God's plan 469 00:17:44,804 --> 00:17:46,105 for this church plant, 470 00:17:46,804 --> 00:17:48,664 but God will cause us to prevail 471 00:17:49,365 --> 00:17:50,265 against them. 472 00:17:50,724 --> 00:17:53,065 God has called us to recall and recount 473 00:17:53,460 --> 00:17:56,259 God's marvelous deeds in this place, and he 474 00:17:56,259 --> 00:17:57,079 will rebuke, 475 00:17:57,700 --> 00:17:58,200 repel, 476 00:17:58,579 --> 00:18:00,740 and root out all who stand in our 477 00:18:00,740 --> 00:18:03,619 way. Not because we're any better than any 478 00:18:03,619 --> 00:18:04,119 other, 479 00:18:04,500 --> 00:18:06,279 but simply because we are his 480 00:18:06,634 --> 00:18:08,475 and because he has given us a sacred 481 00:18:08,475 --> 00:18:11,375 mission to be salt and to be light. 482 00:18:12,394 --> 00:18:14,494 This is why in verses 7 to 10, 483 00:18:14,875 --> 00:18:16,735 David praises God for vindicating 484 00:18:17,515 --> 00:18:18,815 his people. He writes, 485 00:18:19,115 --> 00:18:20,815 the Lord sits in throne forever. 486 00:18:21,269 --> 00:18:23,450 He has established his throne for justice, 487 00:18:23,910 --> 00:18:26,009 and he judges the world with righteousness. 488 00:18:26,549 --> 00:18:28,410 He judges the peoples with uprightness. 489 00:18:29,349 --> 00:18:30,809 The Lord is a stronghold 490 00:18:31,349 --> 00:18:32,250 for the oppressed, 491 00:18:32,630 --> 00:18:33,369 a stronghold 492 00:18:33,910 --> 00:18:35,289 in times of trouble. 493 00:18:35,875 --> 00:18:38,214 And those who know your name 494 00:18:38,595 --> 00:18:40,275 put their trust in you, for you, oh 495 00:18:40,275 --> 00:18:40,775 Lord, 496 00:18:41,234 --> 00:18:42,294 have not forsaken 497 00:18:43,154 --> 00:18:43,654 those 498 00:18:44,275 --> 00:18:45,335 who seek you. 499 00:18:46,434 --> 00:18:47,414 Think about this. 500 00:18:48,369 --> 00:18:49,509 In acts 17, 501 00:18:50,210 --> 00:18:52,049 we read that when Paul was planting a 502 00:18:52,049 --> 00:18:53,029 church in Athens, 503 00:18:53,329 --> 00:18:55,190 he goes up to the Areopagus, 504 00:18:55,730 --> 00:18:58,289 otherwise known as Mars Hill, a place that 505 00:18:58,289 --> 00:18:59,669 was full of idols 506 00:19:00,464 --> 00:19:03,265 because all sorts of false gods were worshiped 507 00:19:03,265 --> 00:19:03,765 there. 508 00:19:04,865 --> 00:19:05,845 And his audience 509 00:19:06,464 --> 00:19:07,525 was made up 510 00:19:07,904 --> 00:19:09,365 of many arrogant people. 511 00:19:10,065 --> 00:19:12,304 For Athenians, consider their city to be the 512 00:19:12,304 --> 00:19:13,605 epicenter of culture, 513 00:19:14,130 --> 00:19:16,609 enjoying a legacy of scholarship that had been 514 00:19:16,609 --> 00:19:18,630 forged over centuries by philosophers 515 00:19:19,089 --> 00:19:20,309 of great renown. 516 00:19:21,730 --> 00:19:22,549 What chance 517 00:19:23,170 --> 00:19:25,329 did the message of the gospel have against 518 00:19:25,329 --> 00:19:27,029 such formidable foes? 519 00:19:28,125 --> 00:19:29,345 A band of nobodies 520 00:19:29,805 --> 00:19:31,505 from a scarcely known people 521 00:19:32,445 --> 00:19:33,984 who were renounced 522 00:19:34,605 --> 00:19:35,744 by their own families 523 00:19:36,525 --> 00:19:38,144 and ruled and repressed 524 00:19:38,525 --> 00:19:39,984 under the power of Rome. 525 00:19:40,525 --> 00:19:42,384 What did they have to offer 526 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:44,779 before the glory of Athens? 527 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:46,859 And yet Paul 528 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:47,980 unashamedly 529 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:49,980 and unreservedly 530 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:51,980 proclaimed 531 00:19:52,519 --> 00:19:53,259 the gospel 532 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:54,940 in that place. 533 00:19:57,275 --> 00:19:59,035 He does so, by the way, by quoting 534 00:19:59,035 --> 00:20:00,015 this very Psalm 535 00:20:00,394 --> 00:20:02,315 when he tells the Athenians the following. He 536 00:20:02,315 --> 00:20:04,575 says, the times of ignorance, 537 00:20:05,434 --> 00:20:06,255 God overlooked. 538 00:20:07,035 --> 00:20:07,855 But now, 539 00:20:08,394 --> 00:20:11,375 he commands all people everywhere to repent 540 00:20:11,910 --> 00:20:13,990 because he has fixed a day on which 541 00:20:13,990 --> 00:20:14,890 he will judge 542 00:20:15,350 --> 00:20:16,890 the world in righteousness 543 00:20:17,750 --> 00:20:19,930 by a man whom he has appointed. 544 00:20:20,549 --> 00:20:23,109 And of this, he has given assurance to 545 00:20:23,109 --> 00:20:23,609 all 546 00:20:23,990 --> 00:20:26,490 by raising him from the dead. 547 00:20:27,634 --> 00:20:28,694 All the philosophies 548 00:20:29,234 --> 00:20:31,174 in the world will hit a dead end, 549 00:20:31,394 --> 00:20:33,394 lest they follow the one who is the 550 00:20:33,394 --> 00:20:33,894 way. 551 00:20:34,994 --> 00:20:35,894 All the learning 552 00:20:36,274 --> 00:20:37,095 in the world 553 00:20:37,634 --> 00:20:38,454 is ignorance, 554 00:20:39,430 --> 00:20:42,230 lest it receive the one who is the 555 00:20:42,230 --> 00:20:42,730 truth. 556 00:20:43,830 --> 00:20:45,609 All the lifestyles of the world 557 00:20:46,150 --> 00:20:48,410 shall end up in judgment and death, 558 00:20:48,869 --> 00:20:51,589 lest they be transformed by the one who 559 00:20:51,589 --> 00:20:52,089 is 560 00:20:52,549 --> 00:20:53,289 the life. 561 00:20:54,515 --> 00:20:55,174 The gospel 562 00:20:55,714 --> 00:20:57,174 points us to the way, 563 00:20:57,474 --> 00:21:00,034 the truth, and the life. And Paul preached 564 00:21:00,034 --> 00:21:01,734 this gospel on Mars Hill. 565 00:21:02,755 --> 00:21:03,654 He was rejected. 566 00:21:04,755 --> 00:21:05,734 He was reviled. 567 00:21:06,809 --> 00:21:07,789 He was ridiculed. 568 00:21:08,330 --> 00:21:09,390 But in the end, 569 00:21:09,850 --> 00:21:10,990 through his message, 570 00:21:11,450 --> 00:21:12,910 many were redeemed 571 00:21:13,210 --> 00:21:15,070 from sin and rescued 572 00:21:15,450 --> 00:21:16,750 from the flames of judgment. 573 00:21:17,930 --> 00:21:19,870 Because neither will the gates of hell 574 00:21:20,174 --> 00:21:22,115 nor the minions of Satan prevail 575 00:21:22,495 --> 00:21:24,995 against the church of Jesus Christ. 576 00:21:26,174 --> 00:21:28,914 The Lord is the stronghold of his people. 577 00:21:29,535 --> 00:21:31,715 We can hide in him and be safe, 578 00:21:32,599 --> 00:21:34,359 and he will never leave us nor forsake 579 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:34,859 us. 580 00:21:35,559 --> 00:21:36,380 This church 581 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:37,900 exists today 582 00:21:38,519 --> 00:21:41,019 and the pagan religion of Athens does not 583 00:21:41,240 --> 00:21:42,779 because God is true 584 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:43,980 to his promise. 585 00:21:45,075 --> 00:21:47,234 This is why, as we do our work 586 00:21:47,234 --> 00:21:47,734 here, 587 00:21:48,115 --> 00:21:50,355 in the midst of many idols and many 588 00:21:50,355 --> 00:21:52,835 dark forces who would oppose us, we can 589 00:21:52,835 --> 00:21:54,694 praise God for this call. 590 00:21:55,315 --> 00:21:57,255 Because even when we meet opposition 591 00:21:58,090 --> 00:21:58,910 and when things 592 00:21:59,610 --> 00:22:01,150 aren't going the way that we would prefer, 593 00:22:01,850 --> 00:22:04,490 we can be sure that God's justice will 594 00:22:04,490 --> 00:22:07,150 prevail and that he will vindicate his people. 595 00:22:08,090 --> 00:22:10,410 Therefore, David concludes this section of praise with 596 00:22:10,410 --> 00:22:12,110 verses 11 and 12 saying, 597 00:22:12,505 --> 00:22:14,984 sing praises to the Lord who sits enthroned 598 00:22:14,984 --> 00:22:17,804 in Zion. Tell among the peoples his deeds, 599 00:22:18,585 --> 00:22:20,904 for he who avenges blood is mindful of 600 00:22:20,904 --> 00:22:23,304 them. He does not forget the cry of 601 00:22:23,304 --> 00:22:23,964 the afflicted. 602 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:27,980 Recall that David began the Psalm by praising 603 00:22:28,039 --> 00:22:29,500 God with gratitude, 604 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:32,759 proclaiming the wonderful deeds of God and singing 605 00:22:32,759 --> 00:22:33,980 praises to his name. 606 00:22:34,839 --> 00:22:37,319 Now, having demonstrated that God is worthy of 607 00:22:37,319 --> 00:22:40,054 praise because he judges the wicked and vindicates 608 00:22:40,115 --> 00:22:40,694 the righteous, 609 00:22:41,154 --> 00:22:43,015 he calls upon you this morning 610 00:22:43,954 --> 00:22:46,934 saying, go and declare his deeds, unashamedly 611 00:22:47,315 --> 00:22:47,815 joining 612 00:22:48,275 --> 00:22:49,015 the joyous 613 00:22:49,554 --> 00:22:50,775 chorus of praise. 614 00:22:51,609 --> 00:22:54,649 We don't know when exactly David wrote this 615 00:22:54,649 --> 00:22:56,909 psalm, but we know that David witnessed 616 00:22:57,450 --> 00:22:58,190 many times, 617 00:22:59,210 --> 00:23:00,589 God's wonderful deeds, 618 00:23:01,289 --> 00:23:03,690 such as when God rescued his people from 619 00:23:03,690 --> 00:23:05,609 the hand of the giant, for example, and 620 00:23:05,609 --> 00:23:06,509 from the scorn 621 00:23:07,134 --> 00:23:08,835 and the abuse of the Philistines. 622 00:23:09,855 --> 00:23:11,795 So he writes this hymn of praise, 623 00:23:12,575 --> 00:23:13,075 not 624 00:23:13,375 --> 00:23:14,434 just for himself, 625 00:23:15,214 --> 00:23:17,315 but he writes it to glorify God, 626 00:23:17,934 --> 00:23:20,650 to encourage his people, and to invite others 627 00:23:20,650 --> 00:23:22,269 to join him in this heavenly 628 00:23:22,650 --> 00:23:23,150 chorus. 629 00:23:23,690 --> 00:23:26,670 That was David's mission in writing Psalm 9. 630 00:23:26,809 --> 00:23:29,450 And now he reminds us that this is 631 00:23:29,450 --> 00:23:32,414 also our mission as God's people. He says, 632 00:23:32,414 --> 00:23:34,815 be assured that God is mindful of you, 633 00:23:34,815 --> 00:23:36,835 that he will not forget your cries. 634 00:23:38,255 --> 00:23:39,555 And you know this is true 635 00:23:40,174 --> 00:23:42,975 because he has already proven his steadfast love 636 00:23:42,975 --> 00:23:45,695 for you in redemptive history when he sent 637 00:23:45,695 --> 00:23:47,634 his son to deliver you, 638 00:23:48,869 --> 00:23:51,769 when he has taken you out of darkness 639 00:23:52,230 --> 00:23:53,910 and into his marvelous light. That's the whole 640 00:23:53,910 --> 00:23:56,390 reason you are here this morning. You know 641 00:23:56,390 --> 00:23:58,150 that God is faithful, that he does not 642 00:23:58,150 --> 00:23:59,130 forget the cry 643 00:23:59,430 --> 00:24:02,330 of his people. The Woodlands Reformed Church exists 644 00:24:03,125 --> 00:24:05,924 to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus 645 00:24:05,924 --> 00:24:06,424 Christ 646 00:24:06,805 --> 00:24:08,744 through the power of the Holy Spirit. 647 00:24:09,365 --> 00:24:10,345 That's our mission. 648 00:24:10,805 --> 00:24:12,485 And even though it's not easy to plant 649 00:24:12,485 --> 00:24:13,065 a church, 650 00:24:13,445 --> 00:24:15,144 requiring all of us to contribute, 651 00:24:15,980 --> 00:24:17,200 all of us to volunteer, 652 00:24:17,740 --> 00:24:20,720 all of us to declare God's good deeds, 653 00:24:20,940 --> 00:24:22,640 and to invite others to join 654 00:24:23,019 --> 00:24:25,580 our joyous chorus, we can be confident that 655 00:24:25,580 --> 00:24:26,400 we will succeed 656 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:28,640 because God is faithful 657 00:24:29,019 --> 00:24:29,920 to his promises 658 00:24:30,394 --> 00:24:31,134 to subdue 659 00:24:31,434 --> 00:24:32,414 all opposition 660 00:24:32,714 --> 00:24:35,615 against him, all opposition against the gospel, 661 00:24:35,994 --> 00:24:38,894 and to redeem his people, and to vindicate 662 00:24:39,194 --> 00:24:40,014 his church. 663 00:24:40,794 --> 00:24:41,294 So 664 00:24:41,914 --> 00:24:43,674 in this first section, we saw that God 665 00:24:43,674 --> 00:24:45,609 is worthy of our praise. Let us now 666 00:24:45,609 --> 00:24:47,529 consider our 2nd section in which we see 667 00:24:47,529 --> 00:24:48,589 that God is attentive 668 00:24:49,130 --> 00:24:50,190 to our prayer. 669 00:24:51,289 --> 00:24:53,289 If you look carefully at verses 13 to 670 00:24:53,289 --> 00:24:53,789 20, 671 00:24:54,569 --> 00:24:57,049 you notice that they parallel verses 1 to 672 00:24:57,049 --> 00:24:58,730 12, but instead of being written in the 673 00:24:58,730 --> 00:24:59,710 form of a praise, 674 00:25:00,085 --> 00:25:01,625 they are written in the form 675 00:25:02,005 --> 00:25:02,904 of a prayer. 676 00:25:03,525 --> 00:25:05,445 Just like the previous section of the Psalm 677 00:25:05,445 --> 00:25:07,144 was enveloped or bookended 678 00:25:07,684 --> 00:25:08,505 by praise, 679 00:25:09,205 --> 00:25:10,025 this section 680 00:25:10,404 --> 00:25:11,225 of the Psalm 681 00:25:11,765 --> 00:25:12,265 is 682 00:25:12,565 --> 00:25:13,865 enveloped or bookended 683 00:25:14,404 --> 00:25:15,545 by a prayer. 684 00:25:16,380 --> 00:25:18,940 In other words, the first two verses and 685 00:25:18,940 --> 00:25:20,720 the last two verses of this section 686 00:25:21,019 --> 00:25:22,480 are an explicit prayer. 687 00:25:23,180 --> 00:25:25,259 The middle verses on the other hand are 688 00:25:25,259 --> 00:25:27,200 a prophetic expression of confidence 689 00:25:27,740 --> 00:25:28,880 in God's providence. 690 00:25:30,044 --> 00:25:32,204 Look at the prayer that bookends this section, 691 00:25:32,204 --> 00:25:34,625 verses 13 and 14 and 692 00:25:35,804 --> 00:25:37,105 1920. David writes, 693 00:25:38,044 --> 00:25:39,744 be gracious to me, oh lord. 694 00:25:40,204 --> 00:25:42,704 See my affliction from those who hate me. 695 00:25:42,970 --> 00:25:45,049 Oh, you who lift me up from the 696 00:25:45,049 --> 00:25:47,529 gates of death, that I may recount all 697 00:25:47,529 --> 00:25:48,269 your praises, 698 00:25:48,809 --> 00:25:50,490 that in the gates of the daughter of 699 00:25:50,490 --> 00:25:52,590 Zion, I may rejoice in your salvation. 700 00:25:53,289 --> 00:25:56,090 And then verses 19 and 20. Arise, oh 701 00:25:56,090 --> 00:25:56,590 lord. 702 00:25:56,944 --> 00:25:58,325 Let not man prevail. 703 00:25:58,704 --> 00:26:01,265 Let the nations be judged before you. Put 704 00:26:01,265 --> 00:26:03,184 them in fear, oh lord. Let the nations 705 00:26:03,184 --> 00:26:03,684 know 706 00:26:04,304 --> 00:26:06,005 that they are but men. 707 00:26:07,265 --> 00:26:10,144 In verses 13 and 14, David prays for 708 00:26:10,144 --> 00:26:10,964 god's grace, 709 00:26:11,669 --> 00:26:13,289 asking God to rescue him 710 00:26:13,669 --> 00:26:16,950 from affliction at the gates of death, so 711 00:26:16,950 --> 00:26:18,569 that he can rejoice in salvation 712 00:26:19,029 --> 00:26:21,349 and praise God at the gates of the 713 00:26:21,349 --> 00:26:22,490 daughter of Zion. 714 00:26:23,684 --> 00:26:24,345 In antiquity, 715 00:26:25,044 --> 00:26:27,365 the city gates were places where the rulers 716 00:26:27,365 --> 00:26:30,644 of the city would gather to adjudicate legal 717 00:26:30,644 --> 00:26:31,144 matters. 718 00:26:32,164 --> 00:26:32,664 Therefore, 719 00:26:33,125 --> 00:26:34,664 the gates represented 720 00:26:35,044 --> 00:26:35,784 the threshold 721 00:26:36,404 --> 00:26:37,865 between right and wrong, 722 00:26:38,809 --> 00:26:40,269 between guilt and innocence. 723 00:26:41,130 --> 00:26:43,690 They were the dividing wall between blessing and 724 00:26:43,690 --> 00:26:44,190 curse, 725 00:26:44,569 --> 00:26:45,789 between communion 726 00:26:46,569 --> 00:26:47,390 and exile. 727 00:26:48,410 --> 00:26:49,630 When David prays 728 00:26:50,170 --> 00:26:52,170 to be rescued from the affliction at the 729 00:26:52,170 --> 00:26:53,230 gates of death, 730 00:26:54,194 --> 00:26:56,755 so he can rejoice and praise god at 731 00:26:56,755 --> 00:26:58,774 the gates of the daughters of Sion. 732 00:26:59,394 --> 00:27:01,494 The gates of death represent the dominion 733 00:27:02,034 --> 00:27:03,494 of the godless world, 734 00:27:03,875 --> 00:27:06,274 and not merely the people and the forces 735 00:27:06,274 --> 00:27:08,934 that depose and persecute god's people, 736 00:27:10,079 --> 00:27:10,740 but also 737 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:14,019 they represent the temptations that allure us, 738 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:15,779 the desires 739 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:17,700 that entangle us, 740 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:19,619 the addictions 741 00:27:20,079 --> 00:27:21,460 that enslave us, 742 00:27:22,235 --> 00:27:22,975 the priorities 743 00:27:23,914 --> 00:27:25,055 that deceive us. 744 00:27:25,674 --> 00:27:29,055 These are all deadly weapons against our souls 745 00:27:29,434 --> 00:27:32,394 because they are forged by the values that 746 00:27:32,394 --> 00:27:33,215 sever us 747 00:27:33,595 --> 00:27:36,015 from God and from his people. 748 00:27:37,130 --> 00:27:38,970 The gates of the daughter of Zion, on 749 00:27:38,970 --> 00:27:39,789 the other hand, 750 00:27:40,330 --> 00:27:43,230 represent the place where God's law is proclaimed, 751 00:27:44,090 --> 00:27:44,590 promoted, 752 00:27:45,370 --> 00:27:46,110 and practiced. 753 00:27:47,049 --> 00:27:48,890 In other words, the gates of the daughter 754 00:27:48,890 --> 00:27:49,630 of Zion 755 00:27:50,170 --> 00:27:51,230 represent the church, 756 00:27:52,315 --> 00:27:54,015 the assembly of god's people. 757 00:27:54,875 --> 00:27:56,875 They are the place where god reigns and 758 00:27:56,875 --> 00:27:57,855 rules in righteousness, 759 00:27:59,275 --> 00:28:00,494 where sinners are 760 00:28:00,795 --> 00:28:03,215 redeemed from their bondage to the flesh, 761 00:28:04,394 --> 00:28:05,775 where their fallen nature 762 00:28:06,075 --> 00:28:06,815 is regenerated, 763 00:28:08,360 --> 00:28:09,660 where their broken image 764 00:28:10,360 --> 00:28:11,100 is restored, 765 00:28:12,360 --> 00:28:14,680 where they are rescued from the pit of 766 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:15,180 despair, 767 00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:18,299 where they are received 768 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,100 into the loving embrace of their savior, 769 00:28:22,095 --> 00:28:23,794 where their souls are refreshed 770 00:28:24,494 --> 00:28:26,595 by the healing balm of the gospel, 771 00:28:27,054 --> 00:28:29,535 and where their bodies shall be renewed in 772 00:28:29,535 --> 00:28:32,515 the radiant splendor of the royal sun. 773 00:28:33,214 --> 00:28:35,474 Can there be a more stark contrast 774 00:28:36,500 --> 00:28:37,799 between 2 gates, 775 00:28:38,259 --> 00:28:41,480 between 2 kingdoms, between two ways of life? 776 00:28:42,740 --> 00:28:43,960 Most people we meet 777 00:28:44,339 --> 00:28:45,879 are hopelessly imprisoned 778 00:28:46,419 --> 00:28:47,799 behind the gates of death. 779 00:28:48,419 --> 00:28:50,099 But that's why God has called us to 780 00:28:50,099 --> 00:28:51,159 plant this church 781 00:28:51,944 --> 00:28:54,204 and enlisted us on a rescue mission 782 00:28:54,505 --> 00:28:56,204 to storm the gates of hell, 783 00:28:56,505 --> 00:28:59,224 which cannot and will not prevail against the 784 00:28:59,224 --> 00:29:00,605 church of Jesus Christ. 785 00:29:01,224 --> 00:29:02,284 By God's grace, 786 00:29:02,904 --> 00:29:04,904 through the mission of this church, God will 787 00:29:04,904 --> 00:29:07,919 rescue the captives and bring them into the 788 00:29:07,919 --> 00:29:08,419 safety 789 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,859 of the impenetrable gates of the New Jerusalem. 790 00:29:12,559 --> 00:29:14,099 Does this not excite you? 791 00:29:15,839 --> 00:29:18,500 This is more important than the presidential election. 792 00:29:20,065 --> 00:29:22,005 Is more entertaining than any sport, 793 00:29:23,105 --> 00:29:26,244 is more exhilarating than any music concert, 794 00:29:27,184 --> 00:29:30,005 and more meaningful than any other call 795 00:29:30,705 --> 00:29:32,244 that may be upon your lives. 796 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:35,119 And just like David knew that Israel would 797 00:29:35,119 --> 00:29:36,579 prevail against the Philistines, 798 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:38,420 you can be certain 799 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,460 that this church will prevail in her mission 800 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,019 because we have the same champion 801 00:29:44,559 --> 00:29:45,700 fighting for us 802 00:29:46,134 --> 00:29:48,714 that David did and that Israel did. 803 00:29:49,095 --> 00:29:50,154 The living God 804 00:29:50,535 --> 00:29:51,755 is the one who fights. 805 00:29:52,375 --> 00:29:54,554 This is why in verses 19 and 20, 806 00:29:54,694 --> 00:29:57,894 David's prayer calls God to arise that his 807 00:29:57,894 --> 00:30:00,474 adversaries may tremble in fear and be humbled. 808 00:30:01,349 --> 00:30:02,730 Oh, may our prayers 809 00:30:03,109 --> 00:30:05,529 for this church plant and for one another 810 00:30:05,750 --> 00:30:07,609 be modeled after Psalm 9, 811 00:30:07,990 --> 00:30:09,609 praising God for his goodness 812 00:30:10,069 --> 00:30:12,890 and appealing to his justice with hope. 813 00:30:14,164 --> 00:30:16,164 So having looked at the headings of praise 814 00:30:16,164 --> 00:30:17,065 and of prayer, 815 00:30:17,605 --> 00:30:20,244 let us consider our final heading that God 816 00:30:20,244 --> 00:30:22,025 is faithful in his providence. 817 00:30:23,444 --> 00:30:25,684 The reason David in Psalm 9 can praise 818 00:30:25,684 --> 00:30:26,184 God 819 00:30:26,565 --> 00:30:28,105 for his marvelous deeds 820 00:30:28,630 --> 00:30:30,710 and appeal to God's justice when he is 821 00:30:30,710 --> 00:30:31,849 confronting adversity 822 00:30:32,549 --> 00:30:34,169 is that David has confidence 823 00:30:34,470 --> 00:30:35,609 in God's providential 824 00:30:35,990 --> 00:30:38,169 care and rule over creation. 825 00:30:39,269 --> 00:30:41,929 The confidence in providence is especially clear 826 00:30:42,244 --> 00:30:44,725 in David's prophetic words in verses 15 to 827 00:30:44,725 --> 00:30:46,424 18 where we read, 828 00:30:47,365 --> 00:30:49,365 the nations have sunk in the pit that 829 00:30:49,365 --> 00:30:50,025 they made. 830 00:30:50,484 --> 00:30:52,884 In the net that they hid, their own 831 00:30:52,884 --> 00:30:54,585 foot has been caught. 832 00:30:55,289 --> 00:30:57,769 The Lord has made himself known. He has 833 00:30:57,769 --> 00:30:58,910 executed judgment. 834 00:30:59,769 --> 00:31:02,490 The wicked are snared in the work of 835 00:31:02,490 --> 00:31:03,549 their own hands. 836 00:31:04,330 --> 00:31:06,269 The wicked shall return to Sheol 837 00:31:06,890 --> 00:31:08,830 all the nations that forget God. 838 00:31:09,214 --> 00:31:11,634 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, 839 00:31:12,414 --> 00:31:13,875 and the hope of the poor 840 00:31:14,414 --> 00:31:15,954 shall not perish forever. 841 00:31:16,974 --> 00:31:19,695 Such is David's confidence in God's providence that 842 00:31:19,695 --> 00:31:21,934 in the middle of his prayer for justice 843 00:31:21,934 --> 00:31:22,595 and vindication, 844 00:31:23,279 --> 00:31:25,840 David speaks of the future fulfillment of those 845 00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:27,460 very things as if 846 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:29,460 they have already taken place. 847 00:31:31,039 --> 00:31:32,500 As he did in Psalm 7, 848 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:35,140 he says that the nations have been caught 849 00:31:35,359 --> 00:31:36,660 in their own net. 850 00:31:38,204 --> 00:31:40,924 This is not a fortuitous occurrence but rather 851 00:31:40,924 --> 00:31:43,884 it is an execution of God's justice because 852 00:31:43,884 --> 00:31:45,184 this is God's world, 853 00:31:45,884 --> 00:31:47,505 and He is in complete control, 854 00:31:48,204 --> 00:31:49,664 and He will not be mocked. 855 00:31:50,950 --> 00:31:52,089 It is worth reflecting 856 00:31:52,710 --> 00:31:55,349 on how different our destiny is from that 857 00:31:55,349 --> 00:31:56,169 of the wicked. 858 00:31:56,869 --> 00:31:58,169 God's justice ensures 859 00:31:59,190 --> 00:32:00,569 they are ensnared 860 00:32:01,109 --> 00:32:02,970 by their own net, 861 00:32:04,544 --> 00:32:06,164 While the great fisher of men 862 00:32:07,184 --> 00:32:09,525 rescues us out of the terrible tempest 863 00:32:09,904 --> 00:32:10,804 with a net 864 00:32:11,105 --> 00:32:13,204 woven with threads of mercy 865 00:32:13,505 --> 00:32:14,484 and of love. 866 00:32:16,144 --> 00:32:17,765 The nations forget God 867 00:32:18,599 --> 00:32:21,000 and lose their way in their prideful self 868 00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:21,500 imposed 869 00:32:22,039 --> 00:32:22,539 amnesia. 870 00:32:23,880 --> 00:32:27,319 How many people willfully forget God living as 871 00:32:27,319 --> 00:32:28,460 if He doesn't exist, 872 00:32:29,160 --> 00:32:30,940 as if His commandments don't matter, 873 00:32:31,505 --> 00:32:33,184 as if they get to live by their 874 00:32:33,184 --> 00:32:34,325 own rules, pursuing 875 00:32:34,945 --> 00:32:36,085 their own pleasures. 876 00:32:37,585 --> 00:32:39,605 David says that that kind of forgetfulness 877 00:32:40,465 --> 00:32:42,884 leads to Sheol, the place of the dead, 878 00:32:43,265 --> 00:32:45,605 which is apparently the natural habitat 879 00:32:46,029 --> 00:32:48,670 of those who choose to forget God since 880 00:32:48,670 --> 00:32:50,990 David doesn't only say that they end up 881 00:32:50,990 --> 00:32:53,569 there, rather he says that they return 882 00:32:54,109 --> 00:32:54,609 there. 883 00:32:56,349 --> 00:32:57,809 In the definitive example 884 00:32:58,269 --> 00:32:59,490 of poetic justice, 885 00:33:00,065 --> 00:33:01,525 God's providence ensures 886 00:33:02,144 --> 00:33:04,565 that those who willfully forget God 887 00:33:05,105 --> 00:33:05,605 shall 888 00:33:06,144 --> 00:33:07,125 forever forget 889 00:33:07,664 --> 00:33:08,724 the way to heaven 890 00:33:09,105 --> 00:33:10,325 and will end up 891 00:33:10,704 --> 00:33:11,204 forgotten, 892 00:33:12,065 --> 00:33:12,565 forsaken, 893 00:33:13,345 --> 00:33:14,164 and forlorn. 894 00:33:16,190 --> 00:33:17,970 Yet god does not forget his people. 895 00:33:18,589 --> 00:33:21,570 And though we suffer, we shall not perish. 896 00:33:22,269 --> 00:33:23,570 We shall not be forgotten 897 00:33:24,269 --> 00:33:26,990 because our names are written in heaven in 898 00:33:26,990 --> 00:33:27,809 the indelible 899 00:33:28,589 --> 00:33:29,089 blood 900 00:33:29,549 --> 00:33:30,289 of Christ. 901 00:33:32,275 --> 00:33:34,434 The Bible tells us that Goliath was armored 902 00:33:34,434 --> 00:33:35,815 in a coat of mail 903 00:33:36,275 --> 00:33:38,835 or more precisely in Hebrew, a coat of 904 00:33:38,835 --> 00:33:39,335 scales. 905 00:33:40,595 --> 00:33:42,674 But those scales were no match to the 906 00:33:42,674 --> 00:33:43,174 stone 907 00:33:43,555 --> 00:33:45,095 that cracked his skull 908 00:33:45,900 --> 00:33:46,799 and the sword 909 00:33:47,180 --> 00:33:48,000 that severed 910 00:33:48,299 --> 00:33:49,119 his neck. 911 00:33:50,460 --> 00:33:51,680 Before every Christian 912 00:33:52,460 --> 00:33:54,400 and before every faithful church 913 00:33:54,700 --> 00:33:55,840 stands a giant 914 00:33:56,299 --> 00:33:57,759 in a coat of scales, 915 00:33:58,140 --> 00:33:59,519 a menacing dragon 916 00:34:00,105 --> 00:34:02,444 that threatens to devour us in its blasphemous 917 00:34:02,984 --> 00:34:04,204 and revolting flames. 918 00:34:05,384 --> 00:34:07,785 But like David in Psalm 9, we can 919 00:34:07,785 --> 00:34:09,005 rest in God's providence 920 00:34:09,545 --> 00:34:12,204 because that dragon is already dead. 921 00:34:13,010 --> 00:34:15,510 Its coats of scales offered no protection 922 00:34:15,969 --> 00:34:18,069 against the mighty rock of our salvation, 923 00:34:18,530 --> 00:34:21,250 who already crushed the dragon's skull, and who 924 00:34:21,250 --> 00:34:22,849 with the sword of the cross, slayed the 925 00:34:22,849 --> 00:34:23,349 dragon 926 00:34:24,609 --> 00:34:25,989 and severed its neck. 927 00:34:26,844 --> 00:34:28,144 So beloved Christian, 928 00:34:28,684 --> 00:34:30,785 take to heart the lessons of Psalm 9. 929 00:34:32,045 --> 00:34:34,445 1st, because god is good, fill your days 930 00:34:34,445 --> 00:34:35,184 with praise. 931 00:34:36,765 --> 00:34:38,704 2nd, because god is just, 932 00:34:39,085 --> 00:34:41,025 when trials have you in the fray, 933 00:34:41,859 --> 00:34:42,359 pray. 934 00:34:43,699 --> 00:34:44,440 And finally, 935 00:34:45,059 --> 00:34:47,320 because god is good and just, 936 00:34:48,019 --> 00:34:48,839 have confidence 937 00:34:49,300 --> 00:34:50,039 in providence. 938 00:34:51,380 --> 00:34:53,320 So the honor is for you who believe. 939 00:34:54,260 --> 00:34:55,880 But for those who do not believe, 940 00:34:56,424 --> 00:34:58,284 the stone that the builders rejected 941 00:34:58,824 --> 00:35:00,045 has become the cornerstone, 942 00:35:01,144 --> 00:35:02,444 and a stone of stumbling, 943 00:35:02,984 --> 00:35:05,864 and a rock of offense. They stumble because 944 00:35:05,864 --> 00:35:08,105 they disobeyed the word as they were destined 945 00:35:08,105 --> 00:35:08,684 to do. 946 00:35:09,500 --> 00:35:10,159 But you 947 00:35:11,179 --> 00:35:12,719 are a chosen race, 948 00:35:13,900 --> 00:35:14,960 a royal priesthood, 949 00:35:16,300 --> 00:35:17,359 a holy nation, 950 00:35:18,251 --> 00:35:20,331 a people for His own possession that you 951 00:35:20,331 --> 00:35:21,711 may proclaim the excellencies 952 00:35:22,331 --> 00:35:24,351 of Him who called you out of darkness 953 00:35:24,971 --> 00:35:28,011 and into His marvelous light. Let's do that 954 00:35:28,011 --> 00:35:29,231 together. Let's pray.