Psalms 144

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 144

1¶ [A Psalm] of David. Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:

2My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and [he] in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

3LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

4Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.

5Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.

7Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

8Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand of falsehood.

9¶ I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

10[It is he] that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.

11Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand of falsehood:

12That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace:

13[That] our garners [may be] full, affording all manner of store: [that] our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

14[That] our oxen [may be] strong to labour; [that there be] no breaking in, nor going out; that [there be] no complaining in our streets.

15Happy [is that] people, that is in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose God [is] the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

David praises the LORD as his strength and deliverer in battle, acknowledging God's care for fleeting humanity. He implores God to intervene powerfully against his deceitful enemies, seeking deliverance and national prosperity. The psalm concludes by declaring the blessedness of a people whose God is the LORD, enjoying peace and abundance.

Medium Summary

Psalm 144 opens with David blessing the LORD, his strength and teacher in war, and his fortress and deliverer. He marvels at God's consideration for man, who is but vanity and a passing shadow, yet still known by God. David then implores God to descend with power, scattering his enemies with lightning and arrows, and to deliver him from "strange children" whose words are deceitful. He vows to sing a new song of praise to God, who grants salvation to kings and delivers His servant David from the hurtful sword. The psalm reiterates the plea for deliverance from these false adversaries, desiring for his nation strong children, abundant harvests, prolific flocks, strong oxen, and peace without invasion or complaint. The psalm concludes by declaring the blessedness of a people enjoying such conditions, and especially of a people whose God is the LORD.

Long Summary

Psalm 144, a Psalm of David, opens with a fervent blessing to the LORD, identified as David's strength and the one who trains his hands for war and his fingers for battle. David extols God as his goodness, fortress, high tower, deliverer, shield, and the one in whom he trusts, who also subdues his people under him. A moment of reflection follows, where David questions why the LORD takes knowledge of man, or makes account of the son of man, considering humanity's transient nature, likened to vanity and a passing shadow. The psalmist then shifts to an urgent petition for divine intervention, calling upon the LORD to bow the heavens and descend, touching the mountains so they smoke. He asks God to cast forth lightning and scatter his foes, shooting arrows to destroy them. David specifically requests deliverance from "great waters" and from the hand of "strange children," whose mouths speak vanity and whose right hands are associated with falsehood. Following this plea, David expresses his intention to sing a "new song" of praise to God, using a psaltery and a ten-stringed instrument. He acknowledges God as the giver of salvation to kings and the deliverer of His servant David from the hurtful sword. The petition for deliverance from the "strange children" is repeated, emphasizing their deceitful nature. The psalm then articulates a vision of national prosperity and well-being that David desires as a result of God's intervention. He prays that their sons may grow up strong like plants, and their daughters be like beautifully carved cornerstones of a palace. He wishes for full garners, abundant sheep multiplying by thousands, strong oxen for labor, and a land free from invasion, exodus, or public complaint. The psalm culminates in a declaration of happiness for a people in such a state, emphatically stating that truly happy is the people whose God is the LORD.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Strength and DeliveranceGod is praised as the source of David's strength for war and his ultimate deliverer from enemies and dangers. This highlights God's active role in empowering and protecting His servant.
  • Human Frailty and God's RegardThe psalmist reflects on the insignificance and fleeting nature of man, comparing him to vanity and a passing shadow, yet marvels at God's condescension and care for such a being. This contrast emphasizes divine grace.
  • Prayer for Divine InterventionDavid earnestly calls upon God to manifest His power, descending from heaven to scatter and destroy his adversaries with natural phenomena like lightning and arrows. This demonstrates reliance on God for victory in battle.
  • Enemies and FalsehoodThe "strange children" are depicted as adversaries whose speech is vain and whose right hand is associated with falsehood, representing deceitful and hostile forces. David seeks deliverance from their deceptive influence and power.
  • Praise and New SongIn anticipation of deliverance, David pledges to sing a "new song" of praise to God, acknowledging Him as the giver of salvation to kings and his personal rescuer. This signifies renewed worship and gratitude.
  • Vision of National ProsperityThe psalm outlines a detailed vision of a blessed nation, characterized by strong children, abundant harvests, prolific livestock, strong oxen, and peace without invasion or complaint. This illustrates the material and social blessings desired under God's favor.
  • Blessedness of God's PeopleThe psalm concludes by declaring that a people enjoying such prosperity is happy, and emphatically states that the ultimate source of happiness is having the LORD as their God. This underscores the spiritual foundation of true well-being.