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Psalms 144

BSB·15 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Blessedבָּ֘ר֤וּךְbā·rūḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → be the LORD, my Rockצוּרִ֗יṣū·rî — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study →, who trainsהַֽמְלַמֵּ֣דham·lam·mêḏ — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → my handsיָדַ֣יyā·ḏay — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → for warלַקְרָ֑בlaq·rāḇ — Battle, combat, warfareH7128 — Full Word Study →, my fingersאֶ֝צְבְּעוֹתַ֗י’eṣ·bə·‘ō·w·ṯay — Finger or toeH676 — Full Word Study → for battleלַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃lam·mil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study →. 2He is my steadfast loveחַסְדִּ֥יḥas·dî — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → and my fortressוּמְצוּדָתִי֮ū·mə·ṣū·ḏā·ṯî — Net, snare, stronghold, fortressH4686 — Full Word Study →, my strongholdמִשְׂגַּבִּ֪יmiś·gab·bî — Refuge, fortress, high place of safetyH4869 — Full Word Study → and my delivererוּֽמְפַלְטִ֫יū·mə·p̄al·ṭî — to escape, slip away, deliver safelyH6403 — Full Word Study →. He is my shieldמָ֭גִנִּיmā·ḡin·nî — Shield; protection, defenseH4043 — Full Word Study →, in whom I take refugeחָסִ֑יתִיḥā·sî·ṯî — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study →, who subduesהָרוֹדֵ֖דhā·rō·w·ḏêḏ — To spread out, stretch, or subdue by forceH7286 — Full Word Study → peoplesעַמִּ֣י‘am·mî — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → under meתַחְתָּֽי׃ṯaḥ·tāy — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study →. 3O LORDיְֽהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, whatמָה־māh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → is manאָ֭דָם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, that You regard himוַתֵּדָעֵ֑הוּwat·tê·ḏā·‘ê·hū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →, the son of manבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → thatאֱ֝נ֗וֹשׁ’ĕ·nō·wōš — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → You think of himוַֽתְּחַשְּׁבֵֽהוּ׃wat·tə·ḥaš·šə·ḇê·hū — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study →? 4Manאָ֭דָם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → is likeדָּמָ֑הdā·māh — To resemble, liken, or compareH1819 — Full Word Study → a breathלַהֶ֣בֶלla·he·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →; his daysיָ֝מָ֗יוyā·māw — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → are like a passingעוֹבֵֽר׃‘ō·w·ḇêr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → shadowכְּצֵ֣לkə·ṣêl — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study →. 5Partהַט־haṭ- — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → Your heavensשָׁמֶ֣יךָšā·me·ḵā — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and come downוְתֵרֵ֑דwə·ṯê·rêḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study →; touchגַּ֖עga‘ — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → the mountainsבֶּהָרִ֣יםbe·hā·rîm — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study →, that they may smokeוְֽיֶעֱשָֽׁנוּ׃wə·ye·‘ĕ·šā·nū — to be angry, smoke with rageH6225 — Full Word Study →. 6Flash forthבְּר֣וֹקbə·rō·wq — to flash, gleam, or send forth lightningH1299 — Full Word Study → Your lightningבָּ֭רָקbā·rāq — Lightning; a flashing or gleaming swordH1300 — Full Word Study → and scatter themוּתְפִיצֵ֑םū·ṯə·p̄î·ṣêm — to scatter, disperse, or break apartH6327 — Full Word Study →; shootשְׁלַ֥חšə·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → Your arrowsחִ֝צֶּ֗יךָḥiṣ·ṣe·ḵā — Arrow; projectile weapon or shaftH2671 — Full Word Study → and rout themוּתְהֻמֵּֽם׃ū·ṯə·hum·mêm — to confuse, trouble, or crushH2000 — Full Word Study →. 7Reach downשְׁלַ֥חšə·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → from on highמִמָּ֫ר֥וֹםmim·mā·rō·wm — Height, high place, or exaltationH4791 — Full Word Study →; set me freeפְּצֵ֣נִיpə·ṣê·nî — to open wide; to deliver or set freeH6475 — Full Word Study → and rescue meוְ֭הַצִּילֵנִיwə·haṣ·ṣî·lê·nî — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → from the deepרַבִּ֑יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → watersמִמַּ֣יִםmim·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →, from the graspיָדֶ֗יךָyā·ḏe·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of foreignersנֵכָֽר׃nê·ḵār — foreign, alien, strangerH5236 — Full Word Study →, 8whoseאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → mouthsפִּ֭יהֶםpî·hem — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → speakדִּבֶּר־dib·ber- — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → falsehoodשָׁ֑וְאšāw — falsehood, deception, emptinessH7723 — Full Word Study →, whose right handsוִֽ֝ימִינָ֗םwî·mî·nām — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → are deceitfulשָֽׁקֶר׃šā·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study →. 9I will singשִׁ֣ירšîr — Song; singing; musical compositionH7892 — Full Word Study → to You a newחָ֭דָשׁḥā·ḏāš — new, fresh, recentH2319 — Full Word Study → songאָשִׁ֣ירָה’ā·šî·rāh — to sing, make musicH7891 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים’ĕlō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; on a harpבְּנֵ֥בֶלbə·nê·ḇel — Skin bag or stringed instrumentH5035 — Full Word Study → of ten stringsעָ֝שׂ֗וֹר‘ā·śō·wr — ten; a ten-stringed instrumentH6218 — Full Word Study → I will make musicאֲזַמְּרָה־’ă·zam·mə·rāh- — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → to You— 10to Him who givesהַנּוֹתֵ֥ןhan·nō·w·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → victoryתְּשׁוּעָ֗הtə·šū·‘āh — Deliverance, salvation, victoryH8668 — Full Word Study → to kingsלַמְּלָ֫כִ֥יםlam·mə·lā·ḵîm — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →, who freesהַ֭פּוֹצֶהhap·pō·w·ṣeh — to open wide; to deliver or set freeH6475 — Full Word Study → His servantעַבְדּ֗וֹ‘aḇ·dōw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → Davidדָּוִ֥דdā·wiḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → from the deadlyרָעָֽה׃rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → swordמֵחֶ֥רֶבmê·ḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study →. 11Set me freeפְּצֵ֥נִיpə·ṣê·nî — to open wide; to deliver or set freeH6475 — Full Word Study → and rescue meוְהַצִּילֵנִי֮wə·haṣ·ṣî·lê·nî — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → from the graspמִיַּ֪דmî·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of foreignersבְּֽנֵי־bə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, whoseאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → mouthsפִּ֭יהֶםpî·hem — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → speakדִּבֶּר־dib·ber- — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → falsehoodשָׁ֑וְאšāw — falsehood, deception, emptinessH7723 — Full Word Study →, whose right handsוִֽ֝ימִינָ֗םwî·mî·nām — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → are deceitfulשָֽׁקֶר׃šā·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study →. 12Thenאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → our sonsבָּנֵ֨ינוּ׀bā·nê·nū — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → will be like plantsכִּנְטִעִים֮kin·ṭi·‘îm — A plant or sapling; something plantedH5195 — Full Word Study → nurturedמְגֻדָּלִ֪יםmə·ḡud·dā·lîm — to grow, become great, magnifyH1431 — Full Word Study → in their youthבִּֽנְעוּרֵ֫יהֶ֥םbin·‘ū·rê·hem — Youth, young people, the state of being youngH5271 — Full Word Study →, our daughtersבְּנוֹתֵ֥ינוּbə·nō·w·ṯê·nū — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → like corner pillarsכְזָוִיֹּ֑תḵə·zā·wî·yōṯ — corner, cornerstone, angleH2106 — Full Word Study → carvedמְ֝חֻטָּב֗וֹתmə·ḥuṭ·ṭā·ḇō·wṯ — to chew, chop, hew, cutH2404 — Full Word Study → to adornתַּבְנִ֥יתtaḇ·nîṯ — Pattern, form, or blueprintH8403 — Full Word Study → a palaceהֵיכָֽל׃hê·ḵāl — Temple, palace, sanctuary structureH1964 — Full Word Study →. 13Our storehousesמְזָוֵ֣ינוּmə·zā·wê·nū — Granary; storehouse for grainH4200 — Full Word Study → will be fullמְלֵאִים֮mə·lê·’îm — to fill, be full, fullnessH4392 — Full Word Study →, supplyingמְפִיקִ֥יםmə·p̄î·qîm — to draw out, obtain, or secureH6329 — Full Word Study → all manner ofמִזַּ֗ןmiz·zan — kind, type, or varietyH2177 — Full Word Study → produceזַ֥ןzan — kind, type, or varietyH2177 — Full Word Study →; our flocksצֹאונֵ֣נוּṣō·w·nê·nū — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → will bring forth thousandsמַ֭אֲלִיפוֹתma·’ă·lî·p̄ō·wṯ — to bear or produce thousands; to multiply greatlyH503 — Full Word Study →, tens of thousandsמְרֻבָּב֗וֹתmə·rub·bā·ḇō·wṯ — to multiply, increase in number or abundanceH7231 — Full Word Study → in our fieldsבְּחוּצוֹתֵֽינוּ׃bə·ḥū·ṣō·w·ṯê·nū — Outside, exterior, or open space beyond a boundaryH2351 — Full Word Study →. 14Our oxenאַלּוּפֵ֗ינוּ’al·lū·p̄ê·nū — Chief, friend, or tame animalH441 — Full Word Study → will bear great loadsמְֽסֻבָּ֫לִ֥יםmə·sub·bā·lîm — to bear, carry, or endure a burdenH5445 — Full Word Study →. There will be noאֵֽין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → breach in the wallsפֶּ֭רֶץpe·reṣ — A gap, break, or rupture in a wall or boundaryH6556 — Full Word Study →, noוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → going into captivityיוֹצֵ֑אתyō·w·ṣêṯ — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study →, and noוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → cry of lamentצְ֝וָחָ֗הṣə·wā·ḥāh — A loud cry or outcry; a shout of distress or anguishH6682 — Full Word Study → in our streetsבִּרְחֹבֹתֵֽינוּ׃bir·ḥō·ḇō·ṯê·nū — public square, street, plazaH7339 — Full Word Study →. 15Blessedאַשְׁרֵ֣י’aš·rê — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → are the peopleהָ֭עָםhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → of whom this is soשֶׁכָּ֣כָהšek·kā·ḵāh — Thus; in this manner; soH3602 — Full Word Study →; blessedאַֽשְׁרֵ֥י’aš·rê — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → are the peopleהָ֝עָ֗םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → whose Godאֱלֹהָֽיו׃’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is the LORDשֶׁיֲהוָ֥הše·Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 144
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 144 is a psalm of David that weaves together themes of warfare, God's sovereignty, human frailty, and national blessing. David begins by blessing the Lord for His strength and protection in battle, then pauses to marvel at God's care for humanity despite our fleeting, insignificant nature. The psalm moves into a prayer for deliverance from enemies, followed by a vow of praise and a vision of national flourishing when God's people live under His care. This psalm beautifully balances the reality of spiritual conflict with confidence in divine provision and the blessedness of a nation whose God is the Lord.

Verses 1–2: Blessing God for Strength and Protection

David opens by blessing the Lord, acknowledging Him as his strength who teaches his hands to war and his fingers to fight. This is not a celebration of violence for its own sake, but recognition that God equips His servant for legitimate defense and obedience. David then piles up metaphors for God's protective care: goodness, fortress, high tower, deliverer, and shield. The phrase who subdueth my people under me speaks of God enabling David's rule and authority. For believers today, this reminds us that any strength we possess—whether physical, spiritual, or mental—comes from the Lord. Our confidence is never in ourselves but in His provision.

Verses 3–4: The Paradox of Human Insignificance and Divine Care

David suddenly shifts perspective, asking why God would even notice someone so small and temporal. What is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? echoes the wonder expressed in Psalm 8. The human lifespan is compared to a shadow that passes away—a vivid image of life's brevity. Yet God cares for us anyway. This is a humbling meditation on our weakness and mortality, meant to drive us toward dependence on the eternal God rather than self-reliance. Every Christian should wrestle with this truth: we are fragile and temporary, yet infinitely valued by our Creator.

Verses 5–8: Prayer for God's Intervention

David calls upon God to intervene dramatically: Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down. He asks God to touch the mountains until they smoke—language borrowed from theophanies like the giving of the Law at Sinai. David requests lightning and arrows to scatter his enemies (verses 6–7), whom he identifies as strange children—foreigners or rebellious enemies whose mouths speak vanity and whose hands practice falsehood. David's prayer is not vindictive malice but a plea for justice and protection. In the New Testament, believers are called to pray for protection and deliverance while trusting God's justice.

Verses 9–12: Vow of Praise and Vision of Blessing

In response to God's anticipated deliverance, David vows to sing a new song with musical instruments (verse 9). He recalls that it is he that giveth salvation unto kings—even Israel's royal authority comes from God. David then shifts to a prayer for the nation: that sons would grow strong like plants and daughters would be beautiful like cornerstones of a palace. This reflects the ancient near-eastern ideal of a thriving, fruitful people.

Verses 13–15: The Blessing of a God-Fearing Nation

David envisions a prosperous land: full granaries, flocks multiplying, strong oxen, and peace with no breaking in or going out. The final verse is the climax: Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. True national blessing flows not from military might alone but from covenantal relationship with God.

Application for Today

Psalm 144 teaches believers to blend confidence in God's strength with humility about our weakness, to pray boldly for deliverance, and to remember that ultimate happiness comes not from prosperity or security but from belonging to God. Whatever battles we face—spiritual or circumstantial—our strength comes from the Lord, and our joy flows from knowing Him.

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