Psalm 144 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
More Psalms Chapter 144 Continued
7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;
8 Whose 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.
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
12 That 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.
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 144:1
Verse: בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת
Transliteration: Baruch Adonai tz’vaot
English: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”
Focus Word: צוּר (Tzur)
- Root: צ-ו-ר (Tsade-Vav-Resh)
- Meaning: “Rock,” “stronghold,” “refuge.”
- Deeper Insight: Tzur emphasizes strength and stability, portraying God as the foundation and protector of His people.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| בָּרוּךְ — barukh | Verse 1 — “Blessed be the LORD…” | “Blessed,” praised. | Barukh (“blessed”) expresses exaltation of God’s character. It introduces a victorious tone. The term frames the Psalm with worship. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| צוּר — tzur | Verse 1 — “…my rock…” | “Rock,” stability. | Tzur (“rock”) symbolizes unshakable strength and protection. It conveys covenant reliability. The word anchors the Psalm in divine stability. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| לָמַד — lamad | Verse 1 — “…who trains my hands for war…” | “To teach/train.” | Lamad (“to train”) expresses divine equipping for battle. It highlights God’s active preparation of His servant. The verb shapes the Psalm’s martial imagery. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| חֶסֶד — chesed | Verse 2 — “…my lovingkindness…” | “Covenant love,” mercy. | Chesed (“covenant love”) affirms God’s steadfast loyalty. It undergirds confidence in Him as protector. The term anchors relational assurance. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| מְצוּדָה — metzudah | Verse 2 — “…my fortress…” | “Stronghold,” refuge. | Metzudah (“fortress”) conveys protective security. It expresses God’s role as defender. The word enriches the Psalm’s defensive imagery. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| מַצִּיל — matzil | Verse 2 — “…my deliverer…” | “Deliverer,” rescuer. | Matzil (“deliverer”) depicts salvation from danger. It stresses divine intervention. The word intensifies martial themes. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| קֶרֶב — kerev | Verse 3 — “What is man…” | “Inner part,” essence. | Kerev (“inner essence”) expresses human frailty. It contrasts divine greatness with human smallness. The term deepens the Psalm’s humility. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| אָדָם — adam | Verse 3 — “…that You take knowledge of him?” | “Man,” humanity. | Adam (“man”) highlights human mortality. It underscores God’s grace in caring for frail beings. The word enriches theological contrast. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| הִנְצִילֵנִי — hinatzileini | Verse 7 — “Stretch forth Your hand… deliver me.” | “To deliver,” snatch away. | Hinatzileini (“to deliver”) emphasizes rescue from overwhelming threat. It reflects divine intervention in crisis. The verb heightens desperation. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| אַשְׁרֵי — ashrei | Verse 15 — “Happy are the people…” | “Blessed,” fortunate. | Ashrei (“blessed”) expresses deep wellbeing grounded in God’s presence. It contrasts external threats with internal flourishing. The term concludes the Psalm triumphantly. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 144 |
|---|---|---|
| John Trapp (University of Cambridge, 1601–1669) | Commentary on the Holy Bible | Trapp interprets the Psalm as an appeal for God’s protection and strength in conflict. |
| Richard Baxter (University of Cambridge, 1615–1691) | Paraphrase of the Psalms | Baxter stresses the Psalmist’s desire for divine assistance in both spiritual and physical battles. |
| Matthew Henry (Chester / Various, 1662–1714) | Commentary on the Whole Bible | Henry emphasizes the Psalm as teaching reliance on God’s guidance in all struggles. |
| John Lightfoot (University of Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae | Lightfoot highlights the Psalm’s depiction of God as the ultimate source of strength and victory. |
| Thomas Boston (University of Edinburgh, 1676–1732) | Human Nature in Its Fourfold State | Boston notes that the Psalm combines personal piety with communal prayer for deliverance. |
Prayer: Thank you, Father God that there is forgiveness in you, and that by obeying You and keeping your commandments that there is great benefit. Thank you for the benefits that you load up your people with; for the blessings you so richly bestow on us. Father, help us to live more closely with You. Help us to become one so that the world will know that you sent the Lord Jesus and have loved us as You love Him. We ask you to be with us in our daily lives, guiding us into all truth, in Jesus' Name. Amen!
Watch Video For Something Spiritually Empowering For You On Your Walk with God. Click to turn on the sound!
Here's a great quiz from Alive Christians for to try out!
