Bible Commentaries
Psalms 144

Verses 1-15

Psalms 144

Victory Anticipated

Scripture v. 1-15:

Verse 1 declares, "Blessed (worthy of praise) be the Lord my strength, (my rock, my refuge) which teacheth (continually) my hands to (do) war, and my finger to fight," to deliver him from his enemies, as related to Psalms 18:2; Psalms 18:31; Psalms 18:46; Psalms 18:34; and as promised, 2 Samuel ch. 7.

Verse 2 asserts that the Lord of the Rock was David’s goodness, fortress, high tower, deliverer, and shield, in whom he trusted. David added, "who subdueth (continually) my people under me," the God of his mercy, Psalms 59:17; Psalms 18:2; Psalms 18:43; 2 Samuel 22:44; 1 Peter 1:11-12, with some things in God’s plan, "hard to understand."

Verse 3 Inquires, "Lord, Oust) what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? or the ’son of man, that thou makest account (continually keep a record) of him?" Psalms 7:4. Why does God lavish such loving kindness on the creature "man?" amazes David, Job 7:17; Job 15:4; Psalms 8:4; Hebrews 2:6. Man seems so frail, so insignificant, 2 Samuel 7:18-19; Isaiah 55:8. The answer is, he is God’s property, belongs to God, by creation, and His daily care for him, Ezekiel 18:4-5; Acts 17:28.

Verse 4 asserts that "man is like to vanity," (Heb a vapor) adding, "His days are as a shadow that passeth (continually moves) away," and in his frailness is soon gone. Nothing in sinful, frail, dying men merits the favor and goodness of God. At such David marveled, Psalms 62:9; Psalms 39:5-6; Psalms 102:11; Psalms 103:15; Romans 11:33.

Verse 5 exhorts then, "Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down," to aid David, Israel, and their posterity, Psalms 18:9; Isaiah 64:1; He continued, "Touch the mountains (in thy judgment wrath) and they shall smoke," be consumed finally with fire, alluding to final Divine judgment against heathen world powers, Psalms 104:32.

Verses 6, 7 appeal, "cast forth lightning, and scatter them," (thine enemies) of v. 7,11, adding "shoot out thine arrows (of warfare and death) and destroy them," Psalms 18:13-14.
Verse 7 continues, "send thine hand (of judgment) from above; Rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, (masses of enemy and deep trouble) from the hand of strange children," the sons of the heathen strangers, Psalms 18:44-45.

Verse 8 adds, "whose mouth speaketh (continually) vanities, (hot air), and their right hand is a right hand of falsehoods," of lying deceivers, oath, and promise-breakers, Psalms 12:2; Psalms 41:6; 2 Kings 10:15; 2 Kings 10:15; 2 Samuel 20:9, as "Jacob took Amasa by the right hand to kiss him, "then stabbed him to death.

Verse 9 Is a Davidic resolve, "I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and instruments of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee," in gratitude and praise for His mercy and loving kindness, Psalms 33:2-3. It will culminate in full and final victory for David and Israel, Psalms 145.

Verse 10 declares, "it is He that giveth salvation (victory) unto kings, who delivereth (continually) his servant (David and Israel) from the sword," looking toward, guaranteeing the future redemption of natural Israel as David’s seed, Psalms 18:50; Psalms 33:16. David himself, the Lord’s servant, thus spoke, to express his past and anticipated future deliverances, Psalms 143:2; Psalms 143:12; Psalms 22:20.

Verse 11 appeals a second time, as in v. 7,8 for the Lord for his (David’s) riddance of or deliverance from the hand of strange or heathen children, those who were idolators, not of Israel’s bloodline or faith. He added that their "mouth speaketh (continually) vanity," meaning "hot air," and "their right hand is a right hand of falsehood," or lying, deceitful hope, Psalms 12:2; Psalms 41:6; 2 Kings 10:15.

Verse 12 recounts that David desired this salvation from his enemies, "That our sons (of Israel) may be (exist) as plants grow up in youth," where there is no oppression of enemies, under which conditions they grew up pale and sickly, half-starved, under-nourished, Psalms 128:3. He added that "our daughters (of Israel) may be as corner stones, polished (cut) after the similitude of a palace," lofty, graceful, and elegant, unhurt by heathen oppression, Zechariah 9:15; Ephesians 2:20.

Verse 13 continues, "That our garners (storehouses for food) may be full, affording all manner of store, that our sheep may bring fortes thousands and ten thousands in our streets," literally, that they might have great prosperity in all their land, Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:8.

Verse 14 explains, "that our oxen may be strong to labor; (to plow or to pull the harvest wagon) 1 Chronicles 12:40, that there be no breaking in (no loss) nor going out; (by marauding thieves or plunderers stealing or carrying away their cattle, sheep, or livelihood) that there be no complaining of loss in our streets," Such was David’s plea for God’s blessings upon and protection of his people Israel, Judges 21:15; 2 Samuel 6:8; Isaiah 24:11.

Verse 15 declares "Happy (spiritually prosperous) is that people that is in such a case," such a state or condition, as certified Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalms 33:12; Psalms 65:4; Psalms 89:15; Psalms 146:5. He concludes, "yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord." Such is spiritually prosperous, with a new nature, a new life, peace, joy, and liberty from fear of death, hell, and the judgment wrath of God, Hebrews 2:15; Romans 8:15; Deuteronomy 33:29.