Psalms 144

David wrote this psalm to “bless the Lord” (vv. 1, 15) and honor Him for making him a successful warrior and king, and to pray for His continued blessing of his people. He was concerned about dangers around them (vv. 6–7, 11) and needs within the land (vv. 12–14). In writing this psalm, he used material from Psalm 18, his great song of victory when he became king, so perhaps 144 was written about that same time (1 Sam. 5, 8). During his years of exile, David had learned much about himself and about the Lord. In this psalm, he gave witness to Jehovah, the God of Israel, and reminded his people that their God was not like the gods of their neighbors.

David had been a fugitive for perhaps ten years, and then he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months. By the time he became king of all the tribes and made Jerusalem his capital, he had seen many battles and would fight many more. But God prepares and equips His leaders, and David had no fear of the future (18:34, 45; 55:21; 78:9). (For the image of God as Rock and fortress, see 18:2, and as shield, see 3:3.) The phrase “my goodness” (kjv) is translated “my lovingkindness” in the New American Standard Bible and “my loving God” in the New International Version. (See 18:2, 47.) The associating of love and war is unusual, but “You who love the Lord, hate evil” (97: nkjv). David inherited twelve tribes that did not always get along with each other, and during the years immediately following the death of King Saul, tribal rivalry and conflict created numerous problems. But God brought about political unity within the nation and gave David victory against the enemies outside the nation (18:47–48).

David’s position and reputation did not go to his head, for he asked, “Who am I that God should do this for me?” The statements in verses 3–4 remind us of 8:4, and this is a reminder that we need, especially when we think we can handle life without trusting God. The Hebrew word translated “breath” is habel, the name of one of Adam’s sons (Abel), and the word translated “vanity” thirty-eight times in Ecclesiastes. (See also 39:4–6, 22; 62:9; 78:33; 94:11.) The “shadow” image is found in 102:11; 109:23; Job 8: and 14:2; and Ecclesiastes 6: and 8:13. How helpless we are without the Lord!

David used these same vivid images in 18:8–9, 14–17, 45, and 50. The Jewish people did not forget God’s dramatic appearance at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:18–25; 20:18–21), but here the mountains and “great waters” seem to stand for the enemies of Israel (104:32; Isa. 8:7; 59:19; 64:1–5; Mic. 1:4; Nah. 1:5; Hab. 3:10). The “strange children” of verse 7 (kjv) are the outsiders who attacked Israel, the “aliens and foreigners.” Some of them also tried to get into the nation and cause trouble (v. 11). They told lies and took oaths they never meant to keep. When they lifted their right hand in an oath, it was only deception. As he contemplated God’s power and mercy, David sang a new song to the Lord (see 33:3), for he had experienced God’s help in a new way, learned afresh the wonderful character of the Lord, and was making a new beginning as king of the nation. The plural “kings” refers to David’s successors.

David never engaged in war just for the sake of conquest. His goal was to defend the land so the people could live peaceful and profitable lives. The people of Israel were God’s people, and they had a work to accomplish on the earth. Therefore, they had to have children (v. 12), the necessities of life (v. 13), and peace in the land (v. 14). All of these blessings were promised to them in God’s covenant (Deut. 28:1–14) if the people and their rulers obeyed the laws of the Lord. David mentioned the home and family first, for as goes the home, so goes the nation. He compared the sons to strong growing plants (127:3–5; 128:3) and the daughters to beautiful graceful statues that could support buildings. Then he moved to the fields to behold bountiful crops and multiplying flocks and herds. Once again, these blessings are all mentioned in God’s covenant. Translations of verse 14 differ. Are the oxen heavy with young or bearing heavy loads because the fields are so fruitful? Is the picture that of a family of animals giving birth without losing any of their young, or was David describing a battle scene with the enemy breaking through the walls and the people crying out in the streets? “Breaking in” could describe the enemy coming through the walls, and “going out” the captives being led out as the people weep and express their sorrow. In His covenant with Israel, God promised them victory over the enemy, peace, prosperity, and a happy life. It is unfortunate that the nation rebelled against Jehovah and lost all those blessings in Babylonian captivity. “How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!” for He cares for us personally, delivers us victoriously, and blesses us bountifully.