Psa 144:9-15 | KingComments | STEP | A new deliverance, ushering in a new age, calls for a new song ( ; ). In view of God’s forthcoming intervention to deliver him, David says he will sing a new song to God. He will use “a harp of ten strings” and sing praises to Him. The first song is sung by God’s people in Exodus 15, after their deliverance from Egypt and the complete extermination of Pharaoh and his army ( ). Here in Psalm 144 they sing a new song after all enemies have been defeated. In the Old Testament, there is mention of “a new song” seven times ( ; ). The New Testament mentions it twice: in Revelation 5 the new song is sung by the twenty-four elders ( ) and in Revelation 14 by the faithful remnant of the two tribes ( ). God is the great Savior or Victor ( ). Kings seem to be the most powerful people on earth. When they are saved or are victorious, they may well think that they owe a salvation or a victory to their strength or cleverness. The reality is that salvation or victory comes from God, He “gives” it. David is deeply aware of this. He is king, but he does not call himself that here. He speaks of “David His servant”. Nor does he speak of salvation or victory, but of rescue “from the evil sword”. By this he acknowledges that he is totally dependent on God. He has no power but only the power God has given him. There is no hope of deliverance but only in God. Using the same words he used earlier in the psalm, David once again asks for rescue and deliverance out of the hand of aliens ( ; ). Last time, his request for deliverance was followed by a new song ( ). Here he attaches to his request for deliverance blessings for God’s people. He describes those blessings in the following verses.

‏ Psalms 144:9-15

A New Song for a New Beginning

A new deliverance, ushering in a new age, calls for a new song (Psa 144:9; Psa 33:3). In view of God’s forthcoming intervention to deliver him, David says he will sing a new song to God. He will use “a harp of ten strings” and sing praises to Him.

The first song is sung by God’s people in Exodus 15, after their deliverance from Egypt and the complete extermination of Pharaoh and his army (Exo 15:1). Here in Psalm 144 they sing a new song after all enemies have been defeated. In the Old Testament, there is mention of “a new song” seven times (Psa 33:3 ; Psa 40:3 ; Psa 96:1 ; Psa 98:1 ; Psa 144:9 ; Psa 149:1; Isa 42:10). The New Testament mentions it twice: in Revelation 5 the new song is sung by the twenty-four elders (Rev 5:9) and in Revelation 14 by the faithful remnant of the two tribes (Rev 14:3).

God is the great Savior or Victor (Psa 144:10). Kings seem to be the most powerful people on earth. When they are saved or are victorious, they may well think that they owe a salvation or a victory to their strength or cleverness. The reality is that salvation or victory comes from God, He “gives” it.

David is deeply aware of this. He is king, but he does not call himself that here. He speaks of “David His servant”. Nor does he speak of salvation or victory, but of rescue “from the evil sword”. By this he acknowledges that he is totally dependent on God. He has no power but only the power God has given him. There is no hope of deliverance but only in God.

Using the same words he used earlier in the psalm, David once again asks for rescue and deliverance out of the hand of aliens (Psa 144:11; Psa 144:7b-8). Last time, his request for deliverance was followed by a new song (Psa 144:9). Here he attaches to his request for deliverance blessings for God’s people. He describes those blessings in the following verses.

Blessing for God’s People

David longs for deliverance from battle and war to establish a peaceful society. What happens to the women, children, livestock and possessions during the absence of the men who go to war? These questions occupy minds in wartime and make one long for a time of peace. David sees it in his mind. He lists in Psa 144:12-14 a number of blessings that characterize a time of peace (cf. Deu 28:3-8). This is the new song he spoke of in Psa 144:9.

All these blessings will be the portion of Israel during the millennial realm of peace. A foretaste of them will be enjoyed during the reign of Solomon, the son of David, who is a picture of the great Son of David, the Lord Jesus. Israel will then be the most powerful nation on earth. Men then will be at home managing their houses.

The first and great blessing is that of a happy family life. This can be seen in the prosperity of the sons and daughters. There is also social prosperity. This can be seen in the garners and the flocks. Added to this is the fact that all this will take place in freedom. It is the picture of perfect happiness enjoyed in undisturbed peace.

1. When there is peace, “our sons”, the sons of the people, will not be called away for war to endure hardship in the field or even to perish (Psa 144:12). On the contrary, they will be at home “in their youth” and “be as grown-up plants”. By high grown plants we can think of cedars and palm trees. There they are “the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified” (Isa 61:3; cf. Psa 128:3; Mt 15:13).

2. The next blessing is that “our daughters” are “as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace”. Here we are talking about a home. Corner pillars are important in a building. They give strength to the house. They are also beautiful, being “fashioned” like decorated pillars of a palace. This indicates the great value of the daughters of God’s people.

3. Next, “our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce” (Psa 144:13). Literally “from one kind to another kind”. It means not only a great quantity, but also a great variety. The supply of food will be so great and diverse that there will be an abundance of food in a variety of tastes for both man and beast.

4. “Our flocks” are very fruitful, they “bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields”. The flocks of sheep are large and will continually increase. The fields contain abundant green grass for the flocks which keeps the animals healthy. The flocks are there in the first place to offer sacrifices to God. Furthermore, they may also be eaten.

5. In addition to the flocks of sheep, there are also cattle or oxen. Of these, David says that “our cattle bear” (Psa 144:14). This is because of the abundant harvest. Cattle are draught animals and load carriers. This indicates that in a time of peace there will be much service work, all to the glory of God (cf. 1Cor 9:9).

6. Security is also fine: there is no “mishap” or “loss”. “Without mishap” is literally “without breach”, meaning no breach in the defensive walls. There are no breaches in the wall, through which the enemy could enter. “Loss” is literally “outbreak” or “disaster”. The cities are safe places to live.

7. The final blessing is that there is “no outcry in our streets”. Because the cities are safe dwelling places, there is nothing that causes wailing. Within the cities there is peace according to the established order and rules. Everyone respects the rights of the other. There are no neighborly quarrels. Everyone is also healthy. There is no cause for wailing in the squares of the city.

The people who have experienced the LORD’s salvation, protection and blessing are a happy people in two respects (Psa 144:15). First, this people fares as described in the previous verses, with happy families and great material prosperity. David is an example of the LORD’s salvation, protection and blessing. His wish is that this may also be the case with the remnant.

Secondly and more importantly, this people belongs to the LORD, Who is their God (Psa 33:12). He is the God Who made a covenant with them. On that basis He has bestowed upon them all these blessings. As a result, these blessings cannot be taken from them and they will possess them forever. He is the source of all happiness. To possess Him is to possess everything, without any possibility of ever losing any of it.