Psalm 144

Introduction.—Ps. 144 is a song extolling God’s strength and help both in war and in peace. The psalm closes on a note proclaiming the joy and happiness that come to those who have God for their Lord.

On the authorship of the psalm see CT 496. On the superscription see p. 616.

1. Strength. Heb. s\ur, “rock” (see on Ps. 18:2, 31, 46). S\ur is used figuratively to denote something solid, enduring, and immovable.

My hands to war. See on Ps. 18:34. The psalmist is not glorifying war itself. David recognized that God gave him the skill to defeat the arrogant and mighty Goliath. In the conflict David did not trust to any human armor, but he went clothed in the panoply of heaven.

2. Goodness. Heb. chesed (see Additional Note on Ps. 36).

My fortress. See on Ps. 18:2.

High tower. See on 2 Sam. 22:3.

Shield. Heb. magen, translated “shield” in 2 Sam. 22:3 (see comments there).

3. What is man! See on Ps. 8:4.

4. Vanity. Heb. hebel, here probably meaning “a breath.” How transitory is this life of ours! We scarcely have developed our physical and mental powers when we are taken by death.

6. Cast forth lightning. When heaven’s artillery is set in motion how puny is the strength of man to resist it. At the second coming of Christ there will be more terrible manifestations of God’s power than have yet been witnessed (see PP 109).

7. Great waters. The psalmist changes the figure. Great waters mean overwhelming dangers, and here no doubt refer to David’s enemies, who were on every side.

8. Right hand. Perhaps meaning that their falsehood was right-handed, that is, they told lies with dexterity.

9. New song. The psalmist turns from the false to adore that which is true. Weary of earthly liars and deceivers, he turns to God with a new song—a fresh song of praise. His hand also would assist his tongue, for he would employ an instrument of ten strings as his accompaniment.

Psaltery. See p. 33.

Instrument of ten strings. See p. 36.

10. Unto kings. Kings are exposed to special danger, and David was no exception. God had preserved him in many battles, but above all this He had extended salvation to him as a guilty sinner.

11. Strange children. That is, foreign adversaries.

12. As plants. Verses 12–15 present a picture of a nation greatly blessed by God. The family, the fields, and the barns have all been abundantly prospered.

Corner stones. Heb. zawiyyoth, a word occurring only here and in Zech. 9:15, where it refers to the corners of the altar. Some of the Greek translations read “angles.” The LXX has instead a participle, “adorned.” Beauty of form without beauty of character is worthless (Prov. 31:30). Home is a palace when the sons are noble men and the daughters are like princesses. True education in childhood and youth is designed to develop this beauty of character in our children (see CT 496).

13. All manner of store. The land would be so blessed as to produce ample variety and abundant provision for all.

14. No breaking in. Or, “no breach,” that is, in the town wall or cattle enclosures.

Going out. Either to war and captivity, or the escape of cattle from their enclosures.

15. Happy. Heb. Хashre (see on Ps. 1:1). There is no greater happiness than in knowing that we belong to God and He to us.

Ellen G. White comments

5, 6 PP 109

10 ML 291

12 AA 599; AH 234; CT 496; Ev 573, 635; FE 158, 513; MB 24; MH 376; ML 268; PK 36; Te 182; TM 17; 4T 48, 541; 6T 363; 7T 264; 9T 37

15 ML 161; PP 117