What does Psalm 9:1 mean?
David's praise in this psalm seems focused on Israel's victory over other nations who had attacked them (Psalm 9:3–6). The reference to whole-hearted thankfulness previews Jesus' indication of the most important commandment (Matthew 22:34–40), found in Deuteronomy 6:5.The practice of crediting the Lord with victory, not himself, was a consistent theme in David's life. When he was just a youth, he battled Goliath, the Philistine giant. Though the king suited him with his armor, David could not go into battle so clothed because he had not tested the armor. Thus with only his staff, a sling, and five smooth stones, David approached Goliath and said, "I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel…This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand…For the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hand" (1 Samuel 17:45–47).
The same Lord gives victory to His people today. Paul writes: "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).
The title for this passage includes an extremely obscure term, Muth-labben. There is another unique, possibly musical references given later in the psalm (Psalm 9:16). It's possible that the word used in the introduction refers to a known song, and this psalm is meant to be sung using that tune.
