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Text -- Psalms 144:1-4 (NET)

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Context
Psalm 144
144:1 By David. The Lord, my protector, deserves praise– the one who trains my hands for battle, and my fingers for war, 144:2 who loves me and is my stronghold, my refuge and my deliverer, my shield and the one in whom I take shelter, who makes nations submit to me. 144:3 O Lord, of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should be concerned about them? 144:4 People are like a vapor, their days like a shadow that disappears.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · David a son of Jesse of Judah; king of Israel,son of Jesse of Judah; king of Israel


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Wicked | Vanity | Tower | Son of man | Psalms | Prayer | Praise | Mankind | MAKE, MAKER | Life | Humility | God | Fort | Faith | Death | David | Condescension of God | Blessing | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Psa 144:2 - -- Who hath disposed my peoples hearts to receive and obey me as their king.

Who hath disposed my peoples hearts to receive and obey me as their king.

Clarke: Psa 144:1 - -- Teacheth my hands to war - To use sword, battle-axe, or spear

Teacheth my hands to war - To use sword, battle-axe, or spear

Clarke: Psa 144:1 - -- And my fingers to fight - To use the bow and arrows, and the sling.

And my fingers to fight - To use the bow and arrows, and the sling.

Clarke: Psa 144:2 - -- Who subdueth my people - Who has once more reduced the nation to a state of loyal obedience. This may refer to the peace after the rebellion of Absa...

Who subdueth my people - Who has once more reduced the nation to a state of loyal obedience. This may refer to the peace after the rebellion of Absalom.

Clarke: Psa 144:3 - -- Lord, what is man - See the notes on Psa 8:4, Psa 8:5. What is Adam, that thou approvest of him? Can he do any thing worthy of thy notice? Or the so...

Lord, what is man - See the notes on Psa 8:4, Psa 8:5. What is Adam, that thou approvest of him? Can he do any thing worthy of thy notice? Or the son of feeble perishing man, that thou shouldest hold him in repute? What care, love, and attention, dost thou lavish upon him!

Clarke: Psa 144:4 - -- Man is like to vanity - אדם להבל דמה Adam lahebel damah , literally, Adam is like to Abel, exposed to the same miseries, accidents, and m...

Man is like to vanity - אדם להבל דמה Adam lahebel damah , literally, Adam is like to Abel, exposed to the same miseries, accidents, and murderers; for in millions of cases the hands of brothers are lifted up to shed the blood of brothers. What are wars but fratricide in the great human family

Clarke: Psa 144:4 - -- His days are as a shadow - The life of Abel was promissory of much blessedness; but it afforded merely the shadow of happiness. He was pure and holy...

His days are as a shadow - The life of Abel was promissory of much blessedness; but it afforded merely the shadow of happiness. He was pure and holy, beloved of his parents, and beloved of God; but, becoming the object of his brother’ s envy, his life became a sacrifice to his piety.

Calvin: Psa 144:1 - -- 1.Blessed be Jehovah, my strength 257 It is very evident that David, since he celebrates the favor of God in such high terms, had not only obtained t...

1.Blessed be Jehovah, my strength 257 It is very evident that David, since he celebrates the favor of God in such high terms, had not only obtained the kingdom, but gained signal victories. When he calls God his strength, he acknowledges that any courage he had was given him from above, not only because he had been made from a country shepherd a mighty warrior, but because the constancy and perseverance he had shown was signally a gift from God. This term answers better than were we to translate it rock; for, by way of explanation, he adds immediately afterwards, that he had been formed under God’s teaching for war. The words certainly imply an acknowledgment, that though of a warlike spirit, he was not born for warlike enterprises but needed to undergo a change. What kind of a commencement, for example, did he show in the case of Goliah? That attempt would have been preposterous on any other supposition than his being upheld by secret divine support, so as to be independent of mere human help. (1Sa 17:40.)

Calvin: Psa 144:2 - -- 2.My goodness, etc. This way of using the word in a passive sense, as in the Hebrew, sounds harsh in Latin; just as elsewhere (Psa 18:50) he calls h...

2.My goodness, etc. This way of using the word in a passive sense, as in the Hebrew, sounds harsh in Latin; just as elsewhere (Psa 18:50) he calls himself “God’s king,” not in the sense of his having dominion over God, but being made and appointed king by him. Having experienced God’s kindness in so many ways, he calls him “his goodness,” meaning that whatever good he possessed flowed from him. The accumulation of terms, one upon another, which follows, may appear unnecessary, yet it tends greatly to strengthen faith. We know how unstable men’s minds are, and especially how soon faith wavers, when they are assailed by some trial of more than usual severity. It is not enough, if God would sustain us under such weakness, to promise us his help in individual or single expressions; and, even however many aids he supplies us with, we are subject to very great vacillations, and a forgetfulness of his mercy creeps in upon us which almost overwhelms our minds. We are to remember that it is not merely in token of his gratitude that David heaps together so many terms in declaring the goodness of God, but to fortify God’s people against all attacks of the world, and of the evil one. He had a reason for reckoning it among the chiefest of God’s mercies, that he controlled the people under his government. For עמי , ami, my people, some read, עמים , amim, peoples; 258 and it is surprising they should prefer such a forced rendering, as David means simply that the settled state of the kingdom was owing not to any counsel, valor, or authority of his own, but to God’s secret favor. The verb רדד , radad, is used appropriately, signifying to spread out. The idea some have, that by a people spread out is meant a people set down at ease in a prosperous and happy condition, is farfetched. I have as great objections to the idea of others, that he means a people laid prostrate, so as that they may be trodden under foot; for a violent domination like this would not have been desirable over the chosen people, and sacred inheritance of the Lord. When a people yields a cordial and willing obedience to the laws, all subordinating themselves to their own place peaceably, this signally proves the divine blessing. And in such a settlement as this, where there is no turbulence, nor confusion, the people are appropriately represented, according to what we have said above, as being spread out. David accordingly having ascribed the victories he had gained over foreign enemies to God, thanks him at the same time for the settled state of the kingdom. Raised indeed as he was from an obscure station, and exposed to hatred from calumnious charges, it was scarcely to have been believed that he would ever obtain a peaceable reign. The people had suddenly and beyond expectation submitted to him, and so surprising a change was eminently God’s work.

Calvin: Psa 144:3 - -- 3.O Jehovah! what is man, etc. He amplifies the goodness shown by God by instituting a comparison. Having declared how singularly he had been dealt ...

3.O Jehovah! what is man, etc. He amplifies the goodness shown by God by instituting a comparison. Having declared how singularly he had been dealt with, he turns his eyes inward, and asks, “Who am I, that God should show me such condescension? “He speaks of man in general; only the circumstance is noticeable that he commends the mercy of God, by considering his lowly and abject condition. In other places he mentions grounds of humiliation of a more personal or private nature, — here he confines himself to what has reference to our common nature; and though even in discussing the nature of man there are other reasons he might have specified why he is unworthy of the regard and love of God, he briefly adverts to his being like the smoke, and as a shadow. 259 We are left to infer that the riches of the divine goodness are extended to objects altogether unworthy in themselves. We are warned, when apt at any time to forget ourselves, and think we are something when we are nothing, that the simple fact of the shortness of our life should put down all arrogance and pride. The Scriptures, in speaking of the frailty of man, comprehend whatever is necessarily connected with it. And, indeed, if our life vanish in a moment, what is there stable about us? We taught this truth also — that we cannot properly estimate the divine goodness, unless we take into consideration what we are as to our condition, as we can only ascribe to God what is due unto him, by acknowledging that his goodness is bestowed upon undeserving creatures. The reader may seek for further information upon this point in the eighth Psalm, where nearly the same truth is insisted upon.

Defender: Psa 144:3 - -- This verse is similar to Psa 8:4. Interestingly in Psa 8:4, "man" is the Hebrew enosh, meaning "mortal man." In Psa 144:3, "man" is Adam, the name of ...

This verse is similar to Psa 8:4. Interestingly in Psa 8:4, "man" is the Hebrew enosh, meaning "mortal man." In Psa 144:3, "man" is Adam, the name of the first man meaning "ruddy man" or "mankind in general." On the other hand, in Psa 8:4, "son of man" is ben Adam; whereas in Psa 144:3, "son of man" is ben enosh. Since both psalms were written by David, he must have had some reason for this shift in emphasis. The emphasis in Psa 8:1-9 is on man's dominion; in Psa 143:1-12, it is on man's frailty and need of salvation."

TSK: Psa 144:1 - -- my strength : Heb. my rock, Psa 18:2, Psa 18:31, Psa 71:3, Psa 95:1; Deu 32:30, Deu 32:31; Isa 26:4 *marg. Isa 45:24 teacheth : Psa 18:34, Psa 44:3, P...

my strength : Heb. my rock, Psa 18:2, Psa 18:31, Psa 71:3, Psa 95:1; Deu 32:30, Deu 32:31; Isa 26:4 *marg. Isa 45:24

teacheth : Psa 18:34, Psa 44:3, Psa 44:4, Psa 60:12; 2Sa 22:35; 2Co 10:4; Eph 6:10, Eph 6:11

to war : or, to the war, etc.

TSK: Psa 144:2 - -- My goodness : or, mercy my fortress : 2Sa 22:2, 2Sa 22:3, 2Sa 22:40-48; Jer 16:19 who subdueth : Psa 18:47, Psa 110:3

My goodness : or, mercy

my fortress : 2Sa 22:2, 2Sa 22:3, 2Sa 22:40-48; Jer 16:19

who subdueth : Psa 18:47, Psa 110:3

TSK: Psa 144:3 - -- what is man : Psa 8:4; Job 7:17, Job 15:14; Heb 2:6 or the son : Psa 146:3, Psa 146:4

what is man : Psa 8:4; Job 7:17, Job 15:14; Heb 2:6

or the son : Psa 146:3, Psa 146:4

TSK: Psa 144:4 - -- Man : Psa 39:5, Psa 39:6, Psa 62:9, Psa 89:47; Job 4:19, Job 14:1-3; Ecc 1:2, Ecc 1:14, Ecc 12:8 his days : Psa 102:11, Psa 103:15, Psa 103:16, Psa 10...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Psa 144:1 - -- Blessed be the Lord my strength - Margin, as in Hebrew, "my rock."See the notes at Psa 18:46, where the same expression occurs in the Hebrew. ...

Blessed be the Lord my strength - Margin, as in Hebrew, "my rock."See the notes at Psa 18:46, where the same expression occurs in the Hebrew.

Which teacheth my hands to war - Hebrew, "To the war."See the notes at Psa 18:34. The Hebrew is not precisely alike, but the sense is the same.

And my fingers to fight - Hebrew, my fingers to the fight. That is, he teaches my fingers so that I can skillfully use them in battle. Probably the immediate reference here is to the use of the bow - placing the arrow, and drawing the string.

Barnes: Psa 144:2 - -- My goodness - Margin, "my mercy."That is, He shows me mercy or favor. All the favors that I receive come from him. And my fortress; my hig...

My goodness - Margin, "my mercy."That is, He shows me mercy or favor. All the favors that I receive come from him.

And my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer - See the notes at Psa 18:2, where the same words occur.

My shield - The same word which in Psa 18:2 is rendered "buckler."See the notes at that passage.

And he in whom I trust - The same idea as in Psa 18:2. The tense of the verb only is varied.

Who subdueth my people under me - See the notes at Psa 18:47. The language is slightly different, but the idea is the same. It is to be remarked that David "here"refers to his people - "who subdueth my people,"meaning that those over whom God had placed him had been made submissive by the divine power.

Barnes: Psa 144:3 - -- Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? - The sentiment here is the same as in Psa 8:4, though the language is not precisely the ...

Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? - The sentiment here is the same as in Psa 8:4, though the language is not precisely the same. See the notes at that passage. The word rendered "that thou takest knowledge of him,"means here to take notice of; to regard. The idea is, It is amazing that a being so insignificant as man should be an object of interest to God, or that One so great should pay any attention to him and to his affairs. In Psa 8:4, the language is "that thou art mindful of him,"that is, that thou dost remember him - that thou dost not altogether pass him over. In Psa 8:1-9 the remark is made in view of the heavens as being so exalted in comparison with man, and the wonder is, that in view of worlds so vast occupying the divine attention, and needing the divine care, "man,"so insignificant, does not pass out of his view altogether. Here the remark seems to be made in illustration of the idea that there is no strength in man; that he has no power to accomplish anything of himself; that he is entirely dependent on God.

Or the son of man - Man - any of the race. See the notes at Psa 8:4.

That thou makest account of him! - Psa 8:4, "that thou visitest him."See the notes at that passage. The word here means "that thou shouldest "think"of him,"that he should ever come into thy thought at all.

Barnes: Psa 144:4 - -- Man is like to vanity - See the notes at Psa 39:5-6; Psa 62:9. The idea here is, that man can be compared only with that which is utterly vain ...

Man is like to vanity - See the notes at Psa 39:5-6; Psa 62:9. The idea here is, that man can be compared only with that which is utterly vain - which is emptiness - which is nothing.

His days are as a shadow that passeth away - See the notes at Psa 102:11 : "My days are like a shadow that declineth."The idea is essentially the same. It is, that as a shadow has no substance, and that as it moves along constantly as the sun declines, until it vanishes altogether, so man has nothing substantial or permanent, and so he is constantly moving off and will soon wholly disappear.

Poole: Psa 144:2 - -- My goodness or, my mercy ; or, the God of my mercy , as God is called, Psa 59:10,17 ; the name of God being easily understood from the foregoing ve...

My goodness or, my mercy ; or, the God of my mercy , as God is called, Psa 59:10,17 ; the name of God being easily understood from the foregoing verse. Or, he who is exceeding good or merciful to me, as good as goodness itself; the abstract being put for the concrete, as it is frequently in speeches of God, who is called wisdom, truth, goodness , &c.; and, sometimes of men, as Psa 12:1 Pro 10:29 , where faithfulness and uprightness are put for faithful and upright men .

Who subdueth my people under me who has disposed my people’ s hearts to receive and obey me as their king.

Poole: Psa 144:3 - -- Lord, what is man he aggravates God’ s goodness to him, expressed Psa 144:2 , by the consideration of his own meanness. Though I am king over my...

Lord, what is man he aggravates God’ s goodness to him, expressed Psa 144:2 , by the consideration of his own meanness. Though I am king over my people, yet, alas, I am but a man. a base, sinful, mortal, and miserable creature; if compared with thee, less than nothing and vanity.

Takest knowledge of him i.e. hast any care and kindness for him, as words of knowledge commonly imply in Scripture.

Makest account of him the same thing repeated in other words.

Poole: Psa 144:4 - -- Man is like in his nature and continuance in the world, to vanity or to a vapour or a breath , as Isa 57:13 , which is gone in an instant. That p...

Man is like in his nature and continuance in the world,

to vanity or to a vapour or a breath , as Isa 57:13 , which is gone in an instant.

That passeth away or, that declineth, as Psa 102:11 109:23 ; that groweth less and less, till it be quite out of sight, and lost.

Haydock: Psa 144:1 - -- A psalm of praise, to the infinite majesty of God. Hope. For sustenance, Psalm cxxii. 2., and Matthew vi. 26.

A psalm of praise, to the infinite majesty of God.

Hope. For sustenance, Psalm cxxii. 2., and Matthew vi. 26.

Haydock: Psa 144:1 - -- Praise. The remaining seven psalms relate to the praises of God, to intimate that this occupation ought to be our glory, both in time and in eternit...

Praise. The remaining seven psalms relate to the praises of God, to intimate that this occupation ought to be our glory, both in time and in eternity, as all were created for that purpose. (Ven. Bede) ---

This is the seventh of the alphabetical psalms, the four last of which are only recognized by St. Jerome as perfect. See Psalm xxiv., xxxiii., xxxvi., cx., cxi., and cxviii. Yet here the ver 14., which should commence with N, is wanting in Hebrew, though it was probably there at first, as it is in the Greek and Latin, (Worthington) as well as in the Syriac and Arabic. (Calmet) ---

Hence it appears, that our versions ought not always to be corrected by the Hebrew, which might be rendered more perfect by a collation with them. (Worthington) ---

The Jews assert, that whoever reads this psalm thrice-a-day, may be sure of obtaining heaven, provided, says Kimchi, that his heart accompany his words. The new baptized used to recite it in thanksgiving, for having received the body and blood of Christ. (St. Chrysostom) ---

Ferrand supposes that his psalm was composed after the captivity. But there seems to be no ground for this supposition, and the author had probably no particular event in view. (Calmet) ---

My king. On whom I entirely depend. (Berthier) ---

And ever. St. Jerome, "and after," (Haydock) both in time and in eternity. Christ is styled king,, to whom the nations were promised; (Psalm ii.) and David gives the highest honour to the blessed Trinity. (Worthington) ---

David still praises God by the mouths of the faithful, as also in heaven.

Haydock: Psa 144:3 - -- End. Hebrew, "finding out," because he is infinite. (Berthier) (Job v. 9.)

End. Hebrew, "finding out," because he is infinite. (Berthier) (Job v. 9.)

Haydock: Psa 144:4 - -- And. Hebrew, "to generation." The vocation of the Gentiles is insinuated. (Calmet)

And. Hebrew, "to generation." The vocation of the Gentiles is insinuated. (Calmet)

Gill: Psa 144:1 - -- Blessed be the Lord my strength,.... The author and giver of his natural strength of body, and of the fortitude of his mind, and of all the spiritual...

Blessed be the Lord my strength,.... The author and giver of his natural strength of body, and of the fortitude of his mind, and of all the spiritual strength he had, to exercise grace, to bear up under afflictions and trials, to perform duty, and withstand enemies. It may be applied to Christ, the antitype of David, the man of God's right hand, he has made strong for himself. It may be rendered, "my rock" c; to whom the psalmist fled for shelter, when in distress and overwhelmed; and on whom he built his faith, and hope of eternal salvation, as well as depended on him for all supplies of grace and strength, and for help and succour in all times of need. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions, render it, "my God": and so the word "rock" is used for God, Deu 32:30;

which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight; he took him from being a shepherd, and made him a soldier; and from being the leader of a flock of sheep, to be a general of armies; and all his military skill in marshalling of troops, in leading them on to battle, and bringing them off as well as all his courage and success, were from the Lord: he whose hands and fingers had been used to the shepherd's crook, and to the handling of the harp and lyre, were taught how to handle the sword, the bow, the shield, and spear. God is a man of war himself; and he teaches the art of war, as he does husbandry and other things; see Exo 15:3; and so the Lord furnishes his people, who are here in a militant state, with spiritual armour, to fight against their spiritual enemies; he teaches them how to put it on, and directs them how to make use of every piece of it; as well as gives them boldness to face their enemies, and victory over them.

Gill: Psa 144:2 - -- My goodness,.... Not only good, but goodness itself; the donor of all the blessings of goodness to him; the author of all goodness in him; the provide...

My goodness,.... Not only good, but goodness itself; the donor of all the blessings of goodness to him; the author of all goodness in him; the provider of all goodness for him, laid up to be used hereafter. The Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions render it my mercy, properly enough; that is, the God of "my mercy", as in Psa 59:10; who is all mercy, full of mercy, rich and plenteous in it; which is abundant, and from everlasting to everlasting. Or, "my grace" d; the God of all grace, the giver of every grace, and who is able to make all grace to abound; and from whom every blessing of grace, and every particular grace, as faith, hope, and love, and all the supplies of grace, as well as every good and perfect gift, come: Christ is prevented with all the blessings of goodness; in him all fulness of grace dwells, and with him God keeps his mercy for evermore;

and my fortress; garrison or strong hold: what fortresses or fortifications are to cities, whether natural or artificial, that is God to his people; all his perfections are on their side; and particularly they are kept by his power, as in a garrison, through faith unto salvation, 1Pe 1:5;

my high tower: the name of the Lord, which is himself, is a strong tower, where his righteous ones that flee to him are safe; and is an "high" one, where they are out of the reach of all their enemies, Pro 18:10;

and my deliverer; that delivered him from his temporal enemies; and from his spiritual ones, from sin, Satan, and the world; from all afflictions and temptations, from wrath and ruin, death and hell;

my shield; that protected him from all evil and danger; whose favour encompassed him as a shield; whose salvation was a shield to him; and more particularly the person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of his Son, called the shield of faith, Eph 6:16;

and he in whom I trust; not in men, no, not in princes; but in the Lord only; in his Word, as the Targum; for things temporal and spiritual; for the blessings of grace here, and glory hereafter; of these several titles, see more on Psa 18:2;

who subdueth my people under me; the people of Israel, all the tribes; whose hearts the Lord inclined to make him king over them all, 2Sa 5:1. Or, "the people" f; so the Targum, Syriac, and Arabic versions; the Heathen people, the Philistines, Ammonites, Edomites, Moabites, and Syrians; see 2Sa 8:1. The former reading seems best, and is followed by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and other versions: and this may be typical of the subduing of Christ's people under him; who are made willing, in the day of his power, to receive and own him as their King; profess subjection to his Gospel, and submit to his ordinances.

Gill: Psa 144:3 - -- Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him?.... Man, that is at most and best but a creature, made of the dust of the earth, is but dust an...

Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him?.... Man, that is at most and best but a creature, made of the dust of the earth, is but dust and ashes; yea, a sinful creature, that drinks up iniquity like water: and yet the Lord not only knows him, as he is the omniscient God, but takes notice of him in a way of providence, and in a way of grace. His chosen people are no other nor better than others, of the same original, and of the same character; and yet he owns and acknowledges them as his peculiar people, and makes himself known unto them: and so it is rendered by the Septuagint version, "that thou shouldest be known unto him?" or, "appear to him?" as the Arabic; reveal thyself to him, not only by the light of nature and works of creation, but in Christ, and by the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

or the son of man, that thou makest account of him? as the Lord does, especially of some of the sons of men; whom he reckons as his portion and inheritance, his jewels and peculiar treasure, and who are as dear to him as the apple of his eye; whom he "magnifies", as in Job 7:17; makes them kings and priests; raises them from the dunghill, and sets them among princes, to inherit the throne of glory; on whom he sets his heart, and loves them with an everlasting love: or, "that thou shouldest think of him?" g thoughts of peace, and not of evil; so as to provide a Saviour for men, and send down the Spirit of his Son into their hearts to quicken them; so as to bless them with all spiritual blessings, and at last to glorify them. David no doubt had a special respect to himself; and wondered at the goodness of God to him, in taking him from a family of little or no account, from a mean employ, from a shepherd's cottage, and raising him to the throne of Israel; and especially in making him a partaker of grace, and an heir of glory; see Psa 8:4; which is applied to Christ, Heb 2:6.

Gill: Psa 144:4 - -- Man is like to vanity,.... Is vanity itself, in every age, state, and condition; yea, in his best estate, Psa 39:5; or, "to the breath" h of the mouth...

Man is like to vanity,.... Is vanity itself, in every age, state, and condition; yea, in his best estate, Psa 39:5; or, "to the breath" h of the mouth, as Kimchi; which is gone as soon as seen almost: or, to a vapour i; to which the life of man is compared, Jam 4:14;

his days are as a shadow that passeth away; as the former denotes the frailty and mortality of man, this the shortness of his duration; his days fleeing away, and of no more continuance than the shadow cast by the sun, which presently declines and is gone.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 144:1 The one who trains my hands for battle. The psalmist attributes his skill with weapons to divine enablement (see Ps 18:34). Egyptian reliefs picture g...

NET Notes: Psa 144:2 Heb “the one who subdues nations beneath me.”

NET Notes: Psa 144:3 Heb “take account of him.” The two imperfect verbal forms in v. 4 describe God’s characteristic activity.

NET Notes: Psa 144:4 Heb “his days [are] like a shadow that passes away,” that is, like a late afternoon shadow made by the descending sun that will soon be sw...

Geneva Bible: Psa 144:1 "[A Psalm] of David." Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which ( a ) teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight: ( a ) Who out of a poor she...

Geneva Bible: Psa 144:2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and [he] in whom I trust; who ( b ) subdueth my people under me. ( b ) He c...

Geneva Bible: Psa 144:3 LORD, what [is] man, that thou ( c ) takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him! ( c ) To give to God just praise,...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Psa 144:1-15 - --1 David blesses God for his mercy both to him and to man.5 He prays that God would powerfully deliver him from his enemies.9 He promises to praise God...

MHCC: Psa 144:1-8 - --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. Happ...

Matthew Henry: Psa 144:1-8 - -- Here, I. David acknowledges his dependence upon God and his obligations to him, Psa 144:1, Psa 144:2. A prayer for further mercy is fitly begun with...

Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 144:1-2 - -- The whole of this first strophe is an imitation of David's great song of thanksgiving, Ps 18. Hence the calling of Jahve "my rock,"Psa 18:3, Psa 18:...

Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 144:3-4 - -- It is evident that Psa 144:3 is a variation of Psa 8:5 with the use of other verbs. ידע in the sense of loving intimacy; חשּׁב , properly t...

Constable: Psa 107:1--150:6 - --V. Book 5: chs. 107--150 There are 44 psalms in this section of the Psalter. David composed 15 of these (108-110...

Constable: Psa 144:1-15 - --Psalm 144 This is a prayer that asks for deliverance during war. David praised God for granting victory ...

Constable: Psa 144:1-2 - --1. Rejoicing over the Victor 144:1-2 David began this prayer by praising God for training him to...

Constable: Psa 144:3-11 - --2. Petition for present victory 144:3-11 144:3-4 The exalted description of God in verses 1 and 2 led David to reflect in amazement that God would tak...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Hebrew title of this book is Tehilim ("praises" or "hymns"), for a leading feature in its contents is praise, though the word occurs in the title ...

JFB: Psalms (Outline) ALEPH. (Psa 119:1-8). This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two let...

TSK: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Psalms have been the general song of the universal Church; and in their praise, all the Fathers have been unanimously eloquent. Men of all nation...

TSK: Psalms 144 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Psa 144:1, David blesses God for his mercy both to him and to man; Psa 144:5, He prays that God would powerfully deliver him from his ene...

Poole: Psalms (Book Introduction) OF PSALMS THE ARGUMENT The divine authority of this Book of PSALMS is so certain and evident, that it was never questioned in the church; which b...

Poole: Psalms 144 (Chapter Introduction) THE ARGUMENT The matter of this Psalm is partly gratulatory for mercies received, and partly petitionary for further blessings. It seems to have be...

MHCC: Psalms (Book Introduction) David was the penman of most of the psalms, but some evidently were composed by other writers, and the writers of some are doubtful. But all were writ...

MHCC: Psalms 144 (Chapter Introduction) (Psa 144:1-8) David acknowledges the great goodness of God, and prays for help. (Psa 144:9-15) He prays for the prosperity of his kingdom.

Matthew Henry: Psalms (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Psalms We have now before us one of the choicest and most excellent parts of all the Old Te...

Matthew Henry: Psalms 144 (Chapter Introduction) The four preceding psalms seem to have been penned by David before his accession to the crown, when he was persecuted by Saul; this seems to have b...

Constable: Psalms (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible is Tehillim, which means...

Constable: Psalms (Outline) Outline I. Book 1: chs. 1-41 II. Book 2: chs. 42-72 III. Book 3: chs. 73...

Constable: Psalms Psalms Bibliography Allen, Ronald B. "Evidence from Psalm 89." In A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus,...

Haydock: Psalms (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF PSALMS. INTRODUCTION. The Psalms are called by the Hebrew, Tehillim; that is, hymns of praise. The author, of a great part of ...

Gill: Psalms (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALMS The title of this book may be rendered "the Book of Praises", or "Hymns"; the psalm which our Lord sung at the passover is c...

Gill: Psalms 144 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 144 A Psalm of David. This psalm was written by David; not on account of the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


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