Psalms144
English Standard Version
1Of . be the Lord, my , who my for , and my for ;
2he is my and my , my and my , my and he in whom I , who me.
3O Lord, is that you him, or the of that you of him?
4 is a ; his are like a .
5 your , O Lord, and come ! the so that they !
6 the and them; send your and them!
7 your on ; me and me the , the of ,
8 and whose is a of .
9I will a to you, O ; upon a I will to you,
10who to , who his the .
11 me and me the of , and whose is a of .
12May our in their be like , our like for the of a ;
13may our be , all kinds of ; may our bring and in our ;
14may our be heavy with , suffering or failure in ; may there be cry of in our !
15 are the to whom such ! are the whose is the Lord!
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 144.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David acknowledges the great goodness of God, and prays for help. (1–8). He prays for the prosperity of his kingdom. (9–15).
vv1-8
When men become eminent for things as to which they have had few advantages, they should be more deeply sensible that God has been their Teacher. Happy those to whom the Lord gives that noblest victory, conquest and dominion over their own spirits. A prayer for further mercy is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy. There was a special power of God, inclining the people of Israel to be subject to David; it was typical of the bringing souls into subjection to the Lord Jesus. Man's days have little substance, considering how many thoughts and cares of a never-dying soul are employed about a poor dying body. Man's life is as a shadow that passes away. In their highest earthly exaltation, believers will recollect how mean, sinful, and vile they are in themselves; thus they will be preserved from self-importance and presumption. God's time to help his people is, when they are sinking, and all other helps fail.
vv9-15
Fresh favours call for fresh returns of thanks; we must praise God for the mercies we hope for by his promise, as well as those we have received by his providence. To be saved from the hurtful sword, or from wasting sickness, without deliverance from the dominion of sin and the wrath to come, is but a small advantage. The public prosperity David desired for his people, is stated. It adds much to the comfort and happiness of parents in this world, to see their children likely to do well. To see them as plants, not as weeds, not as thorns; to see them as plants growing, not withered and blasted; to see them likely to bring forth fruit unto God in their day; to see them in their youth growing strong in the Spirit. Plenty is to be desired, that we may be thankful to God, generous to our friends, and charitable to the poor; otherwise, what profit is it to have our garners full? Also, uninterrupted peace. War brings abundance of mischiefs, whether it be to attack others or to defend ourselves. And in proportion as we do not adhere to the worship and service of God, we cease to be a happy people. The subjects of the Saviour, the Son of David, share the blessings of his authority and victories, and are happy because they have the Lord for their God.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
בָרַךְ: to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
צוּר: properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
לָמַד: properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
יָד: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
קְרָב: hostile encounter
אֶצְבַּע: something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe
מִלְחָמָה: a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
חֵסֵד: kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
מָצוּד: a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness
Cross References
Psalms 144Direct verbal parallel to the exclamation 'what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him!'
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallel Davidic confession that God teaches his hands to war and bend a bow of steel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Identical wisdom theme: man is altogether vanity and his life is but a fleeting shadow.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Identical military and fortress metaphors used by David to describe God as his deliverer.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The mountain smoking is a direct allusion to God's standard-setting descent upon Mount Sinai.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identical metaphor of God reaching from above to draw David out of great waters.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallel acknowledgment of God giving great deliverance and mercy to His king, David.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallel question regarding man's insignificance and why God should set His heart upon him.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Echoes the specific metaphor of days declining like a shadow that passeth away.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel phrasing of God bowing the heavens and coming down to rescue His anointed.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identical wording of shooting out arrows and casting forth lightnings to scatter foes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the description of hypocritical and deceitful enemies who speak vanity and falsehood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal link to singing a new song with an instrument of ten strings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identical beatitude proclaiming: 'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.'
Supported by Matthew Henry