Psalm 9:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The following reflections offer valuable insight: "For Thou hast determined my case and my cause; Thou hast seated Thyself on the throne of the One who judges justly." Another translator interprets this as having defended me. "Thou hast brought justice against the nations, and the wicked have perished. Their names have been erased for eternity." Another version states: "Thou hast annihilated." "Thou hast caused their names to be blotted out forever and ever." Observe the fervor of this individual: he does not seek retribution against his adversaries but rather entrusts judgment to God, in accordance with the apostolic teaching, "avenge not yourselves" (Rom. 12:19). It is also noteworthy that he endured afflictions without cause.

Would the Son address the Father, who also proclaimed: "Ye could have no power over Me, except it were given you from above" (Jn. 19:11), referring specifically to that which the Judge of humanity discerns for mankind's benefit, thereby aligning with the Father's justice and His concealed matters? Or would humanity remark to God, You occupy the throne that administers justice, designating the throne of God as belonging to the soul, while the body serves as the earth recognized as God's footstool (Is. 66:1)? For God was present in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor. 5:19). Alternatively, could it be the soul of the Church, now whole and without any blemish (Eph. 5:27), deemed worthy by the hidden work of the Son when the King brought her to His chamber (Song.

You have established my right and my cause. This reveals the basis for gratitude. You have taken your seat on the throne - This explains God's presence in judgment.

"You have executed my judgment and my celebration." How so? "You are seated on the throne, administering justice." And what decree did He declare? "You have condemned with your words, and the wicked shall vanish; their name you will erase forevermore."

You have carried out Your just decision upon me, one who now places faith in You, yet previously, due to my lack of knowledge, I was under the sway of darkness. For You, as it is said, have carried out Your just decision on me, who now believes in You, but who once was under the influence of the adversary and endured the harshness of his reign. However, You, observing the severity with which the evil one governs Your creation, have rescued me from his grasp and, having liberated me from my former misconceptions, have declared me righteous. The prophet speaks here of the righteousness inherent in the one who is justified in judgement. You sit upon the throne, dispensing judgment in accordance with righteousness. These declarations must be related to the Savior's ascension to the heavens.

Thrones refer to the celestial beings that are in constant attendance before the Almighty, where God presides to deliver divine judgment. In Latin, thrones are referred to as ‘seats,’ indicating that these Thrones of God are imbued with a profound grace from the Godhead, enabling the Lord to render His judgments from this exalted position. This is echoed in the Psalms, which states, “Thou art seated on the throne, judging righteousness.”

…before Him who is seated upon the elevated and majestic throne, there stand the thrones that bear God, as referred to by St. Dionysius the Areopagite. Upon these thrones, described as rational thrones by St. Maximus the Confessor, God rests with wisdom. They are termed God-bearing not due to their essence but because of the grace bestowed upon them for their service; in contrast, the flesh of Jesus Christ is considered God-bearing in essence, as St. Basil the Great notes, for it is inseparably united with the Logos Himself. The thrones, therefore, embody the divine not by their nature but through the grace they receive to serve, mysteriously and incomprehensibly holding God within them.

The prophet contrasts God's current judgment with that which is to come. Regarding the present judgment, he declares that the one who judges justly is seated on the throne. Concerning God's future and everlasting judgment, he proclaims that He will adjudicate the entire world with righteousness, and furthermore, He will assess humanity based on justice, as stated in Psalm 9:9. Through these statements, he clearly differentiates between the judgments of today and those of the future. When referencing the present judgment, he employs the present tense "Judging," while he uses "will judge" to denote the future judgment, thus highlighting the distinction between the two periods of divine assessment.

He presents a second reason for his gratitude, explaining why the adversary fled and his forces were dispersed: the Lord, in His righteousness, settled the long-standing conflict that He, along with all humanity, had with the enemy. This ancient foe appeared to confront humanity before God, accusing it and asserting a rightful claim over its enslavement. However, through His sacrifice on the cross, Christ addressed this conflict by atoning for mankind and condemned the devil, termed as the adversary and slayer of souls, to everlasting punishment. These profound truths regarding the Son of God are illustrated in the title of the psalm.

Christ the Redeemer ascended to the throne upon the cross, judged Adam's transgression alongside the adversary, shattered the record of sin, and subdued the power of darkness. He then lifted up humanity from its fallen state, embraced them within His Church, and established the Kingdom of Heaven.