Sermon Tone Analysis

Psalm 9; Key verses: 9:1-2

Introduction

This psalm is a song of victory.

Dr. F. B. Meyer points out that in the Greek translation of this psalm the text clearly links it with the death of Jesus Christ, and records His victory over death and the grave.

So we see that these verses have a deeper significance than the original thought in David’s mind.

While it is true that this psalm was His song of victory, it is just as true that it may be our song of victory.

In teaching us the song of victory David…

Rejoices in the Spirit of Victory

Recounts the Story of Victory

Reveals the Secret of Victory

\\ 1A.

The Spirit of Victory  (9:1-3)

Four times over, in these two verses, the psalmist says, “I will praise You…  I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in You: I will sing praise to Your name” (9:1-2).

1B.

The spirit of victory is expressed by a spirit of willingness  (9:1a)

David knew that “half heart is no heart.”

Ø       True spiritual victory equals a willing spirit, a commitment that is unreserved and complete.

Ø       The reason why so many Christians are not living in victory is because they are living “half-hearted” lives.

We must give ourselves completely to the Lord for His glory.

1 Corinthians 1:29 (NKJV) 29that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Psalm 50:23 (NKJV) 23Whoever offers praise glorifies Me…

Ø       In other words, the true spirit of willingness leaves no room for glorying in the flesh.

God, and God alone, must have all the glory.

2B.

The spirit of victory is expressed by a spirit of openness.

(9:1b)

Victorious living is no secret thing.

Psalm 40:3 (NKJV) 3He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

When Peter was restored, he had a God-given boldness.

Acts 4:20 (NKJV) 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

\\ 3B.

The spirit of victory is expressed in a spirit of cheerfulness.

(9:2a)

C. H. Spurgeon writes: “Gladness and joy are the appropriate spirit in which to enjoy the goodness of the Lord….

Daily rejoicing is an ornament for the Christian’s character, and a suitable robe for God’s choristers to wear.

‘God loveth a cheerful giver,’ whether it be the gold of his purse or the gold of his mouth which he presents upon his altar.”

If you want to judge the measure of victory among God’s people, look for the spirit of cheerfulness.

Gladness and joyfulness have always been the fruit of a revived church.

4B.

The spirit of victory is expressed by a spirit of thankfulness.

(9:2b)

In Scripture, singing is an evidence of inward thankfulness.

Ephesians 5:18-20 (NKJV) 18And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ø       A thankful church will be a singing church.

David concluded this portion of the psalm by telling us why he was filled with the song of victory.

(9:3)

Ø       To him, the reality of God’s presence had become the spirit of victory.

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The Story of Victory  (9:4-6)

Just as we had four “I wills in the first two verses, so we have four “You haves” in the stanzas now before us.

David was reciting here how God deals with the enemy of our souls.

While the story is set in a national context, it also has spiritual overtones that apply to you and me.

1B.

God rebukes the enemy.

(9:5a)

God rebukes the enemy before He destroys him.

Ø       God sends His messengers of warning and rebuke before the stroke of judgment falls.

Ø       If there is failure to repent, then further measures will be taken.

2B.

God destroys the enemy.

(9:5b)

When God destroys something, He does so completely.

Ø       As exemplified in the victorious death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we read that through death Christ overcame “him that had the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14).

1 John 3:8 (NKJV) 8For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Ø       The story of victory was once and forever completed out when Christ proclaimed “it is finished.”

3B.

God forgets the enemy  (9:5c)

The thought is taken from the practice of erasing from the civil register a family that had become extinct.

In the reckoning of God, sin, death, hell and Satan are forever dealt with.

Ø       Calvary will never be repeated.

David calls attention to sin and Satan’s final defeat.

(9:6)

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The Secret of Victory  (9:7, 20)

For David, there was only one secret of victory, and that was God.

David had proven Him in so many situations and under such varied conditions that he could say with total conviction, “The Lord shall endure forever: he has prepared his throne for judgment” (9:7).

To David knew that…

1B.

The Lord Jehovah is the God of Righteousness.

(9:8)

A God of righteousness can only do what is right.

Ø       For David, this was not just an academic proposition, it was something he believed and counted on in the depths of his soul.

Ø       He had nothing to fear as long as he knew that God would minister judgment to the people in uprightness” (9:8).

Ø       The righteousness of God is the basis of all victory.

2B.

The Lord Jehovah is the God of Refuge.

(9:9-10)

Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

Because God is righteous, He will maintain our cause.

Because He is a refuge, we can hide in Him when the enemy attacks.

In New Testament language, this is the Christ of Ephesians 6.

Ø       Every piece of armor is a defense and a protection from the fiery darts of the evil one.

\\ 3B.

The Lord Jehovah is the God of Remembrance.

(9:11-12)

One of the subtle attacks of the enemy is to convince us that God has forsaken us in times of trouble.

These verses assure us that in the most difficult times, the Lord remembers us.

God never forgets the cry of the humble and the afflicted.

Psalm 136:23 (NKJV) 23Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever

4B.

The Lord Jehovah is the God of Redemption.

(9:13-14)

David recalled the time when he was snatched from the very jaws of death in order to praise God in the gates of Zion.

Every Christian can tell the same story, for our salvation is nothing less than deliverance from death and hell in order that we might glorify God and be with Christ in heaven.

If God has stooped so low to redeem our lives, then He will see to it that the work of salvation is completed.