Psalm 9:13

Translations

Modern

Be merciful to me, O LORD; see how my enemies afflict me! Lift me up from the gates of death,

Traditional

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

Literal

Show favor to me, O YHWH; see my affliction from those hating me; raise me high from the gates of death,

Latin

Miserere mei, Domine: vide humilitatem meam de inimicis meis,

Original

Hebrew

English

Be merciful to me, O LORD; see how my enemies afflict me! Lift me up from the gates of death,

Notes

Psalms 9:13–14

The psalmist returns from a vision of the glorious future to the reality of facing his enemies (Psalm 9:3).
The gates are a strong image of the powerful grip of death (see Psalm 13:3–4).
The gates of Daughter Zion (that is, Jerusalem) provide an intentional contrast to the gates of death.

Psalms 9:1–10:18

This hymn celebrates the Lord's rule and triumph over evil. It may also respond to the laments in Psalms 3–7.

Some believe that Psalms 9 and 10 should be read together as one psalm in two parts. This is because Psalm 9 has a title, while Psalm 10 does not.

Despite some missing or inverted letters, the two psalms form an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. This means that each line or section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Other alphabetic acrostics include Psalms 25, 34, 37, 111–112, 119, and 145.

The ancient Greek and Latin translations treat Psalms 9 and 10 as one psalm.

Theme notes and profiles

David Praise Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 30:3
O LORD, You pulled me up from Sheol; You spared me from descending into the Pit.
Psalm 13:3
Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,
Psalm 86:13
For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol.
Isaiah 38:10
I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.”
Psalm 142:6
Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.
Lamentations 1:11
All her people groan as they search for bread. They have traded their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. Look, O LORD, and consider, for I have become despised.
Lamentations 1:9
Her uncleanness stains her skirts; she did not consider her end. Her downfall was astounding; there was no one to comfort her. Look, O LORD, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!
Psalm 116:3–4
The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
Psalm 51:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 38:19
Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason.
Psalm 119:132
Turn to me and show me mercy, as You do to those who love Your name.
Psalm 25:19
Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with vicious hatred.

Glossary

Acrostic David Music Poetry, Biblical Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Gates of Death Prayer Under Affliction: That God Would Consider Our Trouble The Dragon of Enemies of the Church The Plague or Pestilence: Described As Noisome

Psalm 9:13

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?