Bible Commentaries
Psalms 144

Verse 1

Title, of David = by David. The Septuagint adds "concerning Goliath." This may be because Psalms 8:0 , which relates to David and Goliath, has the same words in Psalms 8:4 as in Psalms 144:3 . In any case, Psalms 144:0 is peculiarly appropriate to David's victory (1 Samuel 17:0 ). Not a "compilation" of "fragments" of some "lost Psalms", but a perfect whole with a perfect design, as shown by the Structure.

Blessed. Figure of Speech Benedictio ( App-6 .). Not Beatitudo as in Psalms 144:15 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

strength = rock, or fortress. Compare Deuteronomy 32:4 . 1Sa 2:2 ; 2 Samuel 22:47 . 2 Samuel 18:2 , 2 Samuel 18:31 , 2Sa 18:46 ; 2 Samuel 19:14 ; 2Sa 28:1 ; 2Sa 62:2 , 2Sa 62:6 .

to war . . . to fight. Not merely generally, but specially in the case of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:0 ). See Title.

Verse 2

goodness = lovingkindness. The Syriac reads "refuge".

deliverer = liberator. Hebrew. paLatin Not the same word as in verses: Psalms 144:7 , Psalms 144:10 , Psalms 144:11 . See notes below.

trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .

my People: A special reading called Sevir (see App-34 ), and some other codices, with Aram, rind Syriac, read "peoples". Compare Psalms 18:47 .

under me. In some codices there is a marginal note: "under Him"; and this is read the text, in some codices.

Verse 3

what . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Compare Psalms 8:4 .

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Greek. This word is read in some codices, with one early printed edition.

man. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 4

Man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 6

Cast forth = Flash. Hebrew lighten lightnings. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). See note on Genesis 26:28 .

arrows. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 7

Send = Put forth.

hand. Hebrew text reads "hands" (plural); but some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "hand" (singular), which Authorized Version and Revised Version followed.

Rid = snatch. Hebrew. pazah ; same word as in Psalms 144:11 , and "delivereth", Psalms 144:10 .

deliver = pluck, or rescue. Hebrew. naz al; same word as in Psalms 144:11 , not the same as in verses: Psalms 144:2 , Psalms 144:10 .

strange. Always means foreign, in Hebrew, as in early English.

strange children = aliens. Hebrew = sons of the foreigner.

Verse 8

speaketh. Compare Psalms 144:11 ; and note the words they speak in verses: Psalms 144:12-15 .

Verse 9

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 10

delivereth = snatcheth; same word as "rid", verses: Psalms 7:11 .

David . . . sword; with special reference to Goliath ' s sword in 1 Samuel 17:50 , 1 Samuel 17:51 .

Verse 12

That = Who. Hebrew. 'asher . Supply the Ellipsis thus: "Who [say] our sons are, &c. "All the words in italic type in verses: Psalms 144:12-15 - maybe omitted, or the Present Tense may be supplied throughout. The verb "say" or "saying" is very frequently to be thus understood. See note on Psalms 109:5 .

may be. Supply "Are" and omit "That".

Verse 13

sheep = flocks.

streets = open fields. Hebrew that which is outside the house.

Verse 14

strong to labour = well laden.

no breaking in = no invasion.

nor going out = no captivity.

Verse 15

Happy. See App-63 . in such a case: i.e. holding the false view that happiness consists in outward prosperity. Compare Psalms 4:6 , Psalms 4:7 , and Psalms 146:3 and Psalms 146:5 .

Yea. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), not as in Authorized Version and Revised Version, but [Yea, rather], or [Nay]. The last member (Yea, happy is that People, whose God

is the Lord.) being David ' s own words; denying the vain and false words of the aliens (Psalms 144:8 and Psalms 144:12-15 ), and declaring the truth as to that in which real happiness consists. See note on Psalms 4:6 , Psalms 4:7 .