Psalms 9:19

Arise, O Lord. The psalmist solemnly appeals to God to take His place as judge of the earth (see on Ps. 3:7).

Man. Heb. ’enosh, “man” in his frailty and impotence; in striking contrast to God as powerful judge (see on Ps. 8:4).

Sight. From the Heb. paneh, literally, “face.” The Ugaritic (see p. 618) pn also means face, but in addition is used with the meaning “will,” or “purpose,” a definition it shares with the Canaanite pânu of the Amarna Letters (see Vol. I, pp. 105, 106). Hence here and in certain other passages (Ps. 21:9, where it is translated “anger”; Ps. 80:16, where it is translated “countenance”; and Ps. 82:2, where it is translated “persons”) paneh should possibly be rendered “will.” Such a translation would make the text read, “Let the nations be judged according to thy will.”