What does Psalm 9:11 mean?

David invites the oppressed—those held down or crushed by others (Psalm 9:9)—to sing praises to God. The reason for celebration is that God is never detached from His people (Psalm 9:10).

This verse makes reference to the Lord's throne in Zion. This is the name of a large hill on the southeastern side of Jerusalem. In prophetic literature, and the Psalms, Zion is often used as a reference to Jerusalem (Psalm 87:2–3). With Israel being God's chosen people, and Jerusalem being the capital city of that nation, references to Zion also appear as metaphors for the kingdom of God (Hebrews 12:22; 1 Peter 2:6).

The ark of the covenant (Exodus 37:1–9) represented God's presence. At the time this psalm was written, the ark was still in Jerusalem. Symbolically, then, David could exclaim that the Lord was "enthroned in Jerusalem." Even in times of trouble God's people can remember that God is firmly seated in authority and power. No one can thwart His will.

The Lord is good all the time. David exhorts God's people to tell others about the Lord's deeds. The deeds David refers to here in verse 11 are likely the wonderful acts the Lord performed on behalf of Israel (Psalm 9:1–6). This might have implied His deliverance of His people from Egypt and His miraculous provisions for them in the wilderness. However, the actions in question might be more personal: what God has done in the lives of the oppressed. Believers today should declare how much God has done for them (Luke 8:39; 1 Peter 2:9–10; 3:15; Romans 10:14–15).