Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 9:5

"Thou hast rebuked the nations, thou hast destroyed the wicked; Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever." — Psalms 9:5 (ASV)

Thou hast rebuked the heathen—This refers not to pagans in general, or the nations at large, but to those who are particularly mentioned in this psalm—those described as the enemies of the writer and of God. On the word rendered “heathen” here—גוים gôyim—see the notes at (Psalms 2:1).

The word “rebuke” here does not mean, as it usually means to us, to scold with words; rather, it means that God had done this by deeds—that is, by overcoming or vanquishing them.

The reference is undoubtedly to some of those nations with whom the writer had been at war, who were enemies of both himself and God. It points to some notable act of divine intervention by which they had been overcome, or in which the author of the psalm had gained a victory.

DeWette understands this as referring to “barbarians, foreigners, pagan?” David, in the course of his life, was often in circumstances like those supposed here, though it is not possible now to determine to which particular event he refers.

Thou hast destroyed the wicked—The Hebrew word here is in the singular number—רשׁע râshâ‛—though it may be used collectively and as synonymous with the word “heathen.” (Psalms 84:10; Psalms 125:3).

The Aramaic Paraphrase renders this, “You have destroyed the impious Goliath.” The reference is undoubtedly to the enemies meant by the word “pagan,” and the writer speaks of them not only as pagan or foreigners but also as characterized by wickedness, which was undoubtedly a correct description of their general character.

Thou hast put out their name forever and ever—This is like when a nation is conquered and subdued; when it is made a province of the conquering nation, loses its own government and its distinct existence as a people, and its name is no longer recorded among the kingdoms of the earth.

This language denotes entire subjugation, and the psalmist probably refers to such an event. Nations have often lost their independence and distinct existence in this way through conquest, by being incorporated into others.

The psalmist undoubtedly refers here to some such complete subjugation by conquest.