Psa 144:1 | KingComments | STEP | Psalm 144 is a song of thanksgiving and praise ( ) in response to a tremendous redemption, with David ( ) being a type of the remnant. The prayers of the remnant in Psalms 140-143 have been answered. The armies of the enemy have been destroyed. The enemy is described in this psalm as “aliens” ( ) who threaten to flood the promised land like a tsunami of great waters ( ). The LORD will nullify the threat by Himself destroying the hostile armies. For “[A Psalm] of David” ( ) see at Psalm 3:1. are a title and a summary of the content of this psalm. David begins not with a prayer, like the previous psalms, but with a song of praise ( ). He blesses or praises the LORD as “my rock” ( ). Therefore, he is unshakable in battle. The LORD also teaches his hands to fight (cf. ). Therefore, he is effective in battle. The LORD teaches his fingers to wage war. Therefore, he knows how to approach the enemy to overcome him. David has been a warrior from his youth. He fought in the Name of God ( ). He did not go into battle without first asking God’s will ( ). Thus, he was taught by the LORD to fight and wage war. That is the secret of all his victories. We too have a battle to fight, and it is a spiritual struggle ( ; ; ). God wants to teach us how to fight. He gives the rules for this in His Word, for He wants us to fight in a lawful way ( ). Only when we fight like that does He give His reward. He gives us His armor, which enables us to resist the enemy and stand firm ( ). The LORD’s teaching in battle and in war David sees as an expression of God’s lovingkindness ( ). Israel’s deliverance through victory over the enemy is here an expression of God’s lovingkindness, God’s faithfulness to His covenant and promise. The various pictures speak of keeping, of support, and of redemption. Through the LORD’s teaching, David knows how to fight. At the same time, he remains aware that he needs God’s protection. God is therefore to him his “fortress”, his “stronghold” (cf. ). From that shelter he can attack the enemy. In doing so, he counts on the LORD as “my deliverer”. He does not attribute any victory to himself. God is his shield behind which he takes shelter. What arrow or sword can then do him any harm? The enemy would first have to eliminate God. And since that is impossible, David is completely invulnerable to any weapon of the enemy. God is his refuge and therefore he is perfectly safe from the enemy. David did not take the law into his own hands, but placed it in the hand of the LORD. Therefore, he can say of the LORD: “Who subdues my people under me.” It can also, and probably better, be translated with: “Who subdues peoples to me” (cf. ). This is more consistent with the interpretation of this psalm. That thought is wondrous in his eyes. So he says to the LORD: “O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?” ( ). Man, David himself, is so insignificant, and yet God takes knowledge of him. He cannot understand that God subjects peoples to him, yet he is no more than a man, a mortal, a void, impermanent man (cf. ). The parallel with Psalm 8 makes it clear that the King here is also the Son of Man, Who will rule over all creation ( ; cf. ). To this end, all enemies must be made a footstool for His feet ( ). David says it even more strongly in than in when he compares man to a sigh, a breath ( ). You don’t see a breath. When it is cold, you see vapor, but only for a moment and it has disappeared invisibly, leaving no trace ( ). A shadow is equally elusive and quickly passing ( ; ; ). To a shadow there is no hold.

‏ Psalms 144:1

Introduction

Psalm 144 is a song of thanksgiving and praise (Psa 144:1 ; 2 ; 9-15) in response to a tremendous redemption, with David (Psa 144:1 ; 10) being a type of the remnant.

The prayers of the remnant in Psalms 140-143 have been answered. The armies of the enemy have been destroyed. The enemy is described in this psalm as “aliens” (Psa 144:7 ; 11) who threaten to flood the promised land like a tsunami of great waters (Psa 144:7). The LORD will nullify the threat by Himself destroying the hostile armies.

God's Power and Weak Man

For “[A Psalm] of David” (Psa 144:1a) see at Psalm 3:1.

Psa 144:1b-2 are a title and a summary of the content of this psalm. David begins not with a prayer, like the previous psalms, but with a song of praise (Psa 144:1b). He blesses or praises the LORD as “my rock” (Psa 18:46). Therefore, he is unshakable in battle. The LORD also teaches his hands to fight (cf. Psa 18:34). Therefore, he is effective in battle. The LORD teaches his fingers to wage war. Therefore, he knows how to approach the enemy to overcome him.

David has been a warrior from his youth. He fought in the Name of God (1Sam 17:45-47). He did not go into battle without first asking God’s will (1Chr 14:10 ; 14). Thus, he was taught by the LORD to fight and wage war. That is the secret of all his victories.

We too have a battle to fight, and it is a spiritual struggle (Phil 4:3; Col 4:12; Jude 1:3). God wants to teach us how to fight. He gives the rules for this in His Word, for He wants us to fight in a lawful way (2Tim 2:5). Only when we fight like that does He give His reward. He gives us His armor, which enables us to resist the enemy and stand firm (Eph 6:10-18).

The LORD’s teaching in battle and in war David sees as an expression of God’s lovingkindness (Psa 144:2). Israel’s deliverance through victory over the enemy is here an expression of God’s lovingkindness, God’s faithfulness to His covenant and promise. The various pictures speak of keeping, of support, and of redemption.

Through the LORD’s teaching, David knows how to fight. At the same time, he remains aware that he needs God’s protection. God is therefore to him his “fortress”, his “stronghold” (cf. Psa 18:2). From that shelter he can attack the enemy. In doing so, he counts on the LORD as “my deliverer”. He does not attribute any victory to himself.

God is his shield behind which he takes shelter. What arrow or sword can then do him any harm? The enemy would first have to eliminate God. And since that is impossible, David is completely invulnerable to any weapon of the enemy. God is his refuge and therefore he is perfectly safe from the enemy.

David did not take the law into his own hands, but placed it in the hand of the LORD. Therefore, he can say of the LORD: “Who subdues my people under me.” It can also, and probably better, be translated with: “Who subdues peoples to me” (cf. Psa 18:47). This is more consistent with the interpretation of this psalm.

That thought is wondrous in his eyes. So he says to the LORD: “O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?” (Psa 144:3). Man, David himself, is so insignificant, and yet God takes knowledge of him. He cannot understand that God subjects peoples to him, yet he is no more than a man, a mortal, a void, impermanent man (cf. Psa 8:4).

The parallel with Psalm 8 makes it clear that the King here is also the Son of Man, Who will rule over all creation (Psa 8:7; cf. Dan 7:13). To this end, all enemies must be made a footstool for His feet (Psa 110:1).

David says it even more strongly in Psa 144:4 than in Psa 144:3 when he compares man to a sigh, a breath (Psa 39:5). You don’t see a breath. When it is cold, you see vapor, but only for a moment and it has disappeared invisibly, leaving no trace (Jam 4:13-14). A shadow is equally elusive and quickly passing (Job 8:9; Psa 102:11; Ecc 6:12). To a shadow there is no hold.