Psalm 144

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Rejoicing. (1-2)

A. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight.

B. He is:

1. My goodness.

2. My fortress.

3. My high tower.

4. My deliverer.

5. My shield.

6. The one in whom I trust.

7. The one who subdues people under me.

II. Reflecting. (3-4)

A. Lord, what is man, that Thou takest knowledge of him!

B. Or the son of man, that Thou makest account of him!

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

III. Requesting. (5-8)

A. Bow thy heavens, O Lord.

B. Come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

C. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them.

D. Shoot out Thine arrows, and destroy them.

E. Send Thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

1. Their mouths speak vanity.

2. Their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

IV. Redemption. (9-11)

A. 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.

B. It is He that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.

C. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children:

1. Whose mouth speaks vanity.

2. Whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

V. The reward. (12-14)

A. That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth.

B. That our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.

C. That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store.

D. That our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets.

E. That our oxen may be strong to labour.

F. That there be no breaking in, nor going out.

G. That there be no complaining in our streets.

VI. The rejoicing. (15)

A. Happy is that people, that is in such a case.

B. Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 144,2A חַסְדִּי {A} MT, 11Qa, G, Hebr // paraphr: T / abr-styl: S om

Ps 144,2B עַמִּי {B} MT, G // lit: 11Qa עמים / sebir: α', Hebr, S, T

Ps 144,2C תַּחְתָּי {A} MT, G, α', S, T / / err-graph: m תחתיו

Ps 144,7bβ-8 {A}