Psalms 144
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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.
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.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 144:1-15
My Rock and My Fortress
Of David.
1Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
2he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
3O Lord, what is man that you regard him,
or the son of man that you think of him?
4Man is like a breath;
his days are like a passing shadow.
5Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down!
Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
6Flash forth the lightning and scatter them;
send out your arrows and rout them!
7Stretch out your hand from on high;
rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,
from the hand of foreigners,
8whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9I will sing a new song to you, O God;
upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
10who gives victory to kings,
who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.
11Rescue me and deliver me
from the hand of foreigners,
whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12May our sons in their youth
be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars
cut for the structure of a palace;
13may our granaries be full,
providing all kinds of produce;
may our sheep bring forth thousands
and ten thousands in our fields;
14may our cattle be heavy with young,
suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
15Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 144:1-15
Psalm 144
Of David.
1Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
2He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
3Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
4They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow.
5Part your heavens, Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
6Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;
shoot your arrows and rout them.
7Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
8whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
9I will sing a new song to you, my God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
10to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David.
From the deadly sword 11deliver me;
rescue me from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
12Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.
13Our barns will be filled
with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
14our oxen will draw heavy loads.
There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
15Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
The Federation International Football Association World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. Around 3.9 billion people watch the World Cup matches in person, on TV and online. Approximately $791 million was distributed among 32 participating nations in the 2022 World Cup. Over $4.6 billion was generated in TV money. Through the participating athletes from the various nations people eagerly anticipate the thrill of victory they will feel when “their team” is crowned with victory.
The desire for success, and in many cases the need for success, is something every person experiences on one level or another. In Psalm 144 David expresses his need for success as king of Israel. The people needed protection and prosperity, and the dangers they faced were imminent.
We may not be overseeing the affairs of a nation like David or watching over hundreds of employees in a company or organization, but each of us also has needs for protection and prosperity. The world is more violent and immoral than ever before, and the world economy is more uncertain than ever before. During these times we, like David, can turn to the One who provides all we need. We may pray and seek God as David did.
Kevin Wilfley
Retired pastor and prayer ministries director
