◄ What Does Psalm 9:18 Mean? ►

For the needy will not always be forgotten, Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.

Psalm 9:18(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Psalm 9 reminds us we should not only remember the wonder of God and His great blessings and deliverances, but should continually exalt Him, praise Him, and thank Him, both privately and in public, for all His grace and favour towards us.

He deserves honour and praise for the help He provides, day by day, both the protection we are given from our enemies and the deliverance we receive from our adversaries who seek our downfall and destruction.

David acknowledged the many judgements of God that fell on the wicked nations that threatened his people. He praised God's past acts of deliverance when evil men plotted his own downfall and destruction. He was not slow in expressing his grateful thanks to His mighty Deliverer Who caused his enemies to turn back, stumble, and perish. David remained confident in the Lord's never-failing faithfulness and promises to protect him in days ahead.

The Psalmist contrasts the final outcome of wicked men who despise God with the future hope for those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and abused by their enemies. He highlights the end of those who oppose the Lord and rebel against His truth, and he comforts those who maintain their trust in His Word and honour His holy name: "The needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever."

Our Heavenly Father will never forget those that remember Him. He will never abandon those that trust His Word and honour His name, for: "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Earlier in the psalm, we find David praising the Lord for His righteous judgment in times past, while the last verses contain a petition for safety in his current situation and future life. The first part acknowledges God's wonderful acts of deliverance in times past, and this final segment requests God's ongoing protection and provision for the future.

We live in a fallen world where men of faith will always suffer trials and tribulations, but the Psalmist offers hope for all who trust in the Lord, even though there may be seasons of lack or times when we feel forgotten or afflicted. We are God's children and have His assurance that we are secure in His hand, for we have received the forgiveness of sin and His promise of life eternal.

May we remember past blessings and times of deliverance and thank Him for His grace and favour towards us. May we declare His praises and rejoice in our great salvation. May we remember that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, when Christ comes to take us to be with Himself. And may we remember the truth as expressed by James: "Knowing that the testing of our faith produces patient endurance, and endurance must do its complete work, so we may grow in grace and become mature and complete in Christ, lacking nothing."

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your eyes are not closed to the difficulties and problems I am facing. Thank You that the needy will not always be forgotten, but that You have prepared something better for those that love and trust You. Thank You for all Your goodness and grace towards me, and for the times You have protected and delivered me from those who sought my harm. Although I am in the world, I understand that I am not part of the world for I have been saved by grace through faith in the lovely Lord Jesus - for which I thank You and bless Your holy name. May I never forget the grace that has been extended to me and remember that nothing can separate me from Your love, which is in Christ Jesus, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.