A Prayer For Justice and Thanksgiving for Coming Victory–Psalm 9

A Prayer For Justice and Thanksgiving for Coming Victory–Psalm 9

When there seems to be no other way, when all roads seemed to be closed, the only thing left to do is to hit our knees and praise God. To thank Him for all He has done and pray for the mercy on our soul, the soul of our neighbor, and for justice. Ironically, the prayer uttered as a last resort is the same prayer we should pray as a first line of defense.

King David learned the key to God’s heart: Seek Him first. Praise Him; honor Him; obey Him; and trust Him. Psalm 9 is a hymn of that praise and worship, showing gratitude to the Lord for all He had done for Israel — defeating her enemies and imparting justice on evildoers. Despite Israel’s many hardships, misfortune and infidelities, God’s loving providence and fidelity to His promises never failed them.

The very same God who honored the faith, gratitude, and obedience of the faithful then, is the same God who honors the faithful of today. No matter what you are going through in life, take some time praise God. It is your praise today that enacts your divine deliverance tomorrow.

A Prayer For Justice and Thanksgiving for Coming Victory–Psalm 9

“I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will declare all Your wondrous deeds.
I will delight and rejoice in You;
    I will sing hymns to Your Name, Most High.
When my enemies turn back,
    they stumble and perish before You.

For You upheld my right and my cause,
    seated on Your throne, judging justly.
You rebuked the nations, You destroyed the wicked;
    their name You blotted out for all time.
The enemies have been ruined forever;
    You destroyed their cities;
    their memory has perished.

You, Lord, rule forever,
    You’ve set up Your throne for judgment.
It is You who judges the world with justice,
    who judges the peoples with fairness.
You, Lord, are a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know Your Name trust in You;
    You never forsake those who seek You, Lord.

Sing hymns to the Lord enthroned on Zion;
    proclaim His deeds among the nations!
For the avenger of bloodshed remembers,
    [and] does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

Be gracious to me, Lord;
    see how my foes afflict me!
    You alone can raise me from the gates of death.
Then I will declare all Your praises,
    sing joyously of Your salvation
    in the gates of daughter Zion.

The nations fall into the pit they dig;
    in the snare they hide, their own foot is caught.
The Lord is revealed in making judgments:
    by the deeds they do the wicked are trapped.

To [hell] the wicked will depart,
    all the nations that have forgotten God.
But the needy will never be forgotten,
    nor will the hope of the afflicted ever fade.
Arise, Lord, let no mortal prevail;
    let the nations be judged in Your presence.
Strike them with terror, Lord;
    show the nations that they are only human.
Amen.”

[Adapted from King David’s prayer of Psalm 9]

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See also Psalms and Reflections for additional prayers and meditation.