Psalms 9:13-14
13 Show grace to me, Yahveh; consider my trouble at the hands of those who hate me. Lift me up from the gates of death, 14 so that I may declare all your praises. I will rejoice in your salvation within the gates of Daughter Zion.
The psalmist talks about two gates. Those who hate him have pushed him to the gates of death (sha’arey mavet). But he does not want to enter those gates. He prays for deliverance from death so that he can once more enter the gates of Daughter Zion (sha’arey bat tsion). He knows that his deliverance can result in praise for his God.
As we face hard times, we should keep in mind that there can be a positive outcome to our troubles. When people see us praying and trusting God for deliverance, they can be drawn to God once they realize that he can rescue his children.
