PSALM 9:13-20 BR RAVIKUMAR VELLORE

March 24

*🌿 “From the Gates of Death to the Gates of Zion”*

The Final Justice of God and His Divine Intervention – Psalm 9:13–20

*✨ 1. The Great Turnaround – From Death to Praise*

Psalm 9:14 (KJV)

“That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.”

“1 Peter 2:10 resonates here.”

This is the turning point.

From gates of death (v.13) ➝ to gates of Zion (v.14)

From despair ➝ to resurrection hope

👉 This is nothing but a picture of resurrection through Christ.

The Son Himself was buried… then He rose — Muthlaben truth!

💡 The Psalmist says:

“The reason I live is to worship You.”

🎵 “When I look into Your holiness…” — this song captures this heart.

*👑 2. Our Identity – A Chosen Community*

1 Peter 2:10 (KJV)

Chosen generation

Royal priesthood

Holy nation

Peculiar people

This is not individual — this is community identity.

👉 Like Samuel said in 1 Samuel 12: “You are His people.”

We are:

Doubly purchased → by creation + redemption (1 Corinthians 3:23)

Handpicked by God → extraordinary election

💡 Preacher’s thought:

“It is as if God had a big list… and He checked and ticked our name.”

We cannot grasp this grace fully until we reach the gates of Zion (rapture).

*🎉 Illustration – Nived’s IAS Selection*

When Nived passed IAS:

There was dancing, celebration

Why? Because he was chosen

👉 But our calling is far greater:

Not civil service

But royal priesthood

*🛕 3. True Priesthood – Not Like the World*

Examples given:

At Tirupathy / Chidambaram temples → restricted access

Even Ramnath Kovind’s wife was pushed away

Preacher’s uncle (temple director) allowed him entry into sanctum when he was a small boy.

👉 Only priests can touch the idol

👉 Others cannot enter

💡 But in Christ:

We are ALL priests

A holy nation — not by works

Psalm 51: “Shapen in iniquity”

➡️ Holiness is not achieved — it is given

*☀️ 4. The Sun Illustration – Life-Giving Light*

During monsoon:

Clothes dried in shade → smell

Clothes dried in sun → fresh

👉 Why? UV rays bring life and freshness

💡 Spiritual truth:

God’s presence = life-infusing light

Without it → dampness destroys

👉 Purpose of this light: “That I may show forth all Thy praise”

We often miss this!

*🎵 5. The Purpose of Life*

👉 The sole purpose of our being: To show forth His praise

“I will rejoice in Thy salvation”

💡 Is there anything else we can boast about?

➡️ Only salvation

Even the Psalmist rejoiced — though he didn’t fully know Christ.

But we know — through the death of the Son (Muthlaben).

*⚖️ 6. The Justice of God – Fearful and Perfect*

Psalm 9:15–16

Wicked fall into their own traps

God is known by His judgment

👉 Impartial judgment is terrifying

💡 Words:

Higgaion → deep sigh, quiet reflection

Selah → pause

👉 Preacher’s instruction: When reading publicly:

Don’t say “Selah”

Take a pause

Also:

Don’t say “Ps chapter 9”

Say “Psalm 9”

In Bible College someone once said “Salam” — for Selah no no ,wrong usage 😄

*🔥 7. Truth About Hell – No Mythology*

Many argue:

“God is merciful, how can He send people to hell?”

But:

Matthew 25:46 → everlasting punishment

Revelation 20:10 → devil tormented forever

👉 Truth:

Devil is NOT king of hell

He is punished there

❌ Greek mythology → Hades as god of hell

❌ Hindu belief → Shiva as lord of hell

👉 All false

💡 Reality:

No dancing in hell

Only torment

👉 If life is eternal → punishment is also eternal

Higgaion moment:

“I escaped hell…” (deep sigh)

I escaped hell but what about others... (deep sigh)

*🚪 8. The Tragedy of Rejection*

Today:

People say, “I’m busy”

They avoid the gospel

👉 Yet judgment is real

*🙏 9. The Needy vs The Proud*

Psalm 9:18

Needy → never forgotten

Poor → expectation fulfilled

*💡 True need is NOT:*

Food (like dosa 😄)

Money

👉 It is: Spiritual poverty

Example:

“I have gold, silver, sandalwood idols… Mahalaxmi pendant… Krishna idol… I don’t need God.”

But the believer says: 👉 “Lord, I am bankrupt in holiness.”

🎵 “I need Thee every hour…”

*🗳️ False Expectations vs True Hope*

Elections → money given for votes

That is NOT expectation

👉 True expectation:

Eternal hope in God

*🌍 10. The Pride of Man vs The Judgment of God*

Example:

Donald Trump speaking arrogantly

“I might bomb Iran for fun”

👉 This reflects:

Pride of man

Preparation for Antichrist spirit

*🧬 11. The Deception of Human Supremacy*

“Evolution theory says man is the pinnacle of the earth, the greatest evolved being — glorifying man instead of God.”

Modern ideas:

“Man can do anything”

Even redefining morality (homosexuality mentioned)

👉 This is: Anthropology over Theology

But Psalm says: 👉 “Let not man prevail”

*⚡ 12. Final Judgment – God Will Arise*

Psalm 9:19

“Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail…”

👉 Echo of Psalm 2 — “Why do the heathen rage?”

Revelation 20:11–12

Earth and heaven flee

White throne judgment

*👉 Preacher insight:*

“Earth and heaven” → symbolic of men and demonic systems removed

*😨 13. Fear of the Lord*

Psalm 9:20

Either:

You develop fear of God

OR 

God will put fear in you

👉 Nations will realize: They are mere mortals

*🌿 Final Reflection*

From:

Gates of death

To:

Gates of Zion

From:

Pride of man

To:

Fear of God

From:

Judgment

To:

Salvation

💡 All because of: The suffering and death of the Son (Muthlaben)

*🙌 Closing Declaration*

“I will stand at the gates and praise my God.

Many will come… I will rejoice in His salvation.”

👉 Even in the Millennium, as the preacher said: “I will be busy teaching many.”

*✨ Higgaion… Selah*…

(Quiet sigh… pause… worship…)