Today’s post is part of our Psalm Saturdays series from guest blogger Robert Chamberlain. You can contact him by sending a message to  bobjc88 @ gmail.com. You can also find him at his new blog at www.roberlain.blogspot.com .

Psalm 9:1–20 (ESV)
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.
4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,
8 and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.
9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.
15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
16 The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
19 Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!
20 Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah

When God looks after us and gives us victory over our enemies, the right response is thankfulness. It’s a good thing to remind ourselves of the goodness of God in our lives. It also helps to look at conflict through the eyes of eternity.

Our enemies might have their moment on the stage of world history, but the Lord is King, and He is eternally enthroned in the highest heaven. Through faith in Him, we can receive eternal life. The Lord is a righteous judge.

We might tend to think of judges in negative terms, as those who condemn people. But a good judge rules in the favour of the poor and oppressed, and such is the Lord. He’s a safe place in times of trouble.

If we seek the Lord, we will never be forsaken by Him. So our natural response should be to tell others about how great He is. That way, others can take refuge in Him from the judgement we deserve.

God as judge has one of two implications for us. Either we will be condemned as we deserve, or else we will be judged to be justified by the blood of Jesus. Through faith in Him, heaven, not hell can be our destination.

“Righteous Judge, may we find in You the salvation You offer us in Christ. May we avoid the hell we deserve for our rebellion against You, through faith in Jesus, in His name, amen.”

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