National Praise: God Shelters the People (vv. 9-20). The focus now centers on the people of the land, whom David calls the oppressed (v. 9), the humble (“afflicted,” v. 12 niv), and the needy and the poor (v. 18). These are the faithful worshippers of the Lord who have been persecuted, abused, and exploited by local rulers for being true to the Lord. (See 10:17; 25:16; 40:17; 102:1; Zeph. 2:3; 3:12-13.) David praises the Lord for His faithfulness in caring for His sheep.
The refuge–God will not forsake them (vv. 9-10). The first word means “a high safe place” and the second “a stronghold.” During his years of exile, David found the wilderness strongholds to be places of safety, but he knew that the Lord was the safest refuge (46:1). The phrase “times of trouble” means literally “times of extremity” (see 10:1; 27:5; 37:39; 41:1; 73:5; 107:6, 13, 19, 26, 28). To “know God’s name” or “love God’s name” means to trust Him and be saved (5:11; 69:36; 91:14; 119:132; 1 Sam. 2:12). God forsook His own Son (Matt. 27:46) that He might never forsake His own people.
The avenger–God will not fail them (vv. 11-17). David calls upon the suffering remnant to sing praises to God because He is on their side and fights their battles. He will not fail to hear their cries and execute justice on their behalf. Israel’s calling was to bear witness to the nations that Jehovah is the only true and living God (18:49; 44:11; 57:9; 106:27; Isa. 42:6; 49:6). The ark was now in Jerusalem, so Jehovah was on His throne in Israel. “Inquisition for blood” refers to the official investigation of murder, to see who was guilty of the crime, symbolized by having blood on the house (Deut. 22:8), the hands (Ezek. 3:17-21; 33:1-9), or the head (Acts 18:6). (See Gen. 9:5; 10:13.) There was no police force in Israel, but a near kinsman could avenge the murder of a family member. This is why God assigned the six “cities of refuge” to provide havens for people who accidentally killed someone (Num. 35). But when God is the avenger, He has all the evidence He needs to find and punish rebellious sinners. The suffering remnant prays to God in verses 13-17 and asks to be taken from the gates of death (sheol, the world of the dead; see 107:18; Job 17:16; 38:17; Isa. 38:10) and put at the gates of Zion (v. 14). From death to life! They also ask God to catch their enemies in their own traps (vv. 15-16; see 7:14-16) and finally consign them to the grave (sheol). Higgaion could mean “meditation,” or it may refer to a solemn sound on the accompanying instruments.
The conqueror–God will not forget them (vv. 18-20). “Arise, O Lord” reminds us of the conquering march of Israel (Num. 10:35), when God went before His people to defeat their enemies. “Man” in verse 19 is enosh, “weak frail man,” a fact that sinners don’t want to admit. (This we will see in Psalm 10.) One day the Lord will put the rebels in their rightful place, and they will discover that they are only–dust!