Psalm 144
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Knowing God
Knowing God
Similar to Psalm 18
VERSE 1 The blessedness of knowing God
David begins with praise to Jehovah his Rock - Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
David acknowledges his abilities came from God - Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle—
Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle—
God teaches and trains us for the battles of life
All wisdom and skill comes from God
He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works.
1 Samuel 17:
Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
If the Lord deigns to have a hand in such unspiritual work as fighting, surely he will help us to proclaim the gospel and win souls; and then we will bless his name with even greater intensity of heart. We will be pupils, and he shall be our Master, and if we ever accomplish anything we will give our Instructor hearty blessing. —Charles Spurgeon
And my fingers for battle—
VERSE 2 David claims personal ownership of his God and uses imagery he could relate to
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
My lovingkindness = loyal love, unfailing kindness, devotion, i.e., a love or affection that is steadfast based on a prior relationship
loyal love, unfailing kindness, devotion, i.e., a love or affection that is steadfast based on a prior relationship
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
My fortress = a stronghold, a defense
My high tower = stronghold, fortress, refuge, i.e., an inaccessible, secure place possibly up high in rim-rock where one may dwell or reside, with a focus on safety and security of the area
stronghold, fortress, refuge, i.e., an inaccessible, secure place possibly up high in rim-rock where one may dwell or reside, with a focus on safety and security of the area
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
My deliver = escape, survive, i.e., be out of danger by taking refuge in another place
escape, survive, i.e., be out of danger by taking refuge in another place
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
My shield = small shield, i.e., a defensive weapon that protects from attack, made of a frame with leather cover
small shield, i.e., a defensive weapon that protects from attack, made of a frame with leather cover
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
My refuge = refuge in, i.e., go to a place where one will find safety, rest, or comfort, implying the place of refuge is a place to be trusted to keep one safe
refuge in, i.e., go to a place where one will find safety, rest, or comfort, implying the place of refuge is a place to be trusted to keep one safe
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
My subduer = subdue, formally, beat down, i.e., conquer another and by implication oppress them (Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
subdue, formally, beat down, i.e., conquer another and by implication oppress them
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Mankind
Mankind
VERSE 3 The insignificance of man
David asks the question, “Why do you bother with man?” - Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Knowledge = know, i.e., possess information about
know, i.e., possess information about
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
David’s comparison of man and God shows us the where our trust must be
We don’t deserve to be blessed by God
David asks, “Why do you even think about man?” - Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
Why does God care for us?
Why would He go to such great lengths to save us?
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
“What is man, that You should exalt him,
That You should set Your heart on him,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
But one testified in a certain place, saying:
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
Now what is man when grace reveals
The virtues of a Saviour's blood?
Again a life divine he feels,
Despises earth, and walks with God.
And what in yonder realms above,
Is ransomed man ordained to be?
With honour, holiness, and love,
No seraph more adorned than he.
Nearest the throne, and first in song.
Man shall his hallelujahs raise,
While wondering angels round him strong,
And swell the chorus of his praise. --John Newton, in Olney Hymns.
VERSE 4 A man’s life is short-lived
He is like one breath - Man is like a breath;
Breath = breath, vapor, i.e., unit of air that passes in and out of the lungs through mouth and nostrils, with a focus on its briefness and lack of content
breath, vapor, i.e., unit of air that passes in and out of the lungs through mouth and nostrils, with a focus on its briefness and lack of content
It’s connected to idols and vanity (emptiness)
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Man is like a breath;
When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity,
You make his beauty melt away like a moth;
Surely every man is vapor.
Selah
He passes away as quickly a passing shadow - His days are like a passing shadow.
His days are like a passing shadow.
He comes forth like a flower and fades away;
He flees like a shadow and does not continue.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The connection of the two verses before us with the rest of the psalm is not far to seek: David trusts in God and finds him everything; he looks to man and sees him to be nothing; and then he wonders how it is that the great Lord can condescend to take notice of such a piece of folly and deceit as man. —Charles Spurgeon
Calling for God
Calling for God
VERSE 5 Even so come Lord Jesus quickly (Revelation 22:20)
Bow down Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
David calls for the Lord to invade this earth - Bow down Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
Bow = be bent, i.e., be in a stooping position, implying an action of pushing will follow
be bent, i.e., be in a stooping position, implying an action of pushing will follow
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
David reveals the result of the Lord’s visitation - Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
VERSE 6 God’s coming will destroy the enemy
Scatter them with your power - Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Shoot arrows (lightening) - Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
God doesn’t miss the mark
Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
VERSE 7 God’s coming will rescue
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Help from heaven - Stretch out Your hand from above;
stretch out - send out, dispatch, i.e., have an object leave an area by linear motion to another place, usually for a purpose
Stretch out Your hand from above;
send out, dispatch, i.e., have an object leave an area by linear motion to another place, usually for a purpose
Our distance from receiving help fro heaven is on the the hand of God away. His hands are big enough. His arm is long enough
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Bring me to safety - Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,
Rescue = open or split open, deliver (set free from a dangerous situation, and so cause to be safe)
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,
set free from a dangerous situation, and so cause to be safe
Deliver = saved, delivered, be spared, i.e., pertaining to being safe from danger, and so be in a more favorable circumstance
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
saved, delivered, be spared, i.e., pertaining to being safe from danger, and so be in a more favorable circumstance
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
He asks for God’s hand to rescue him from the enemies hand - From the hand of foreigners,
He asks for God’s hand to rescue him from the enemies hand
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
From the hand of foreigners,
The devil's children are strange to us: we can never agree with them, and they will never understand us: they are aliens to us, and we are despised by them. O Lord, deliver us from the evil one, and from all who are of his race. —Charles Spurgeon
VERSE 8 Words and character of the enemy
Lying words - Whose mouth speaks lying words,
Whose mouth speaks lying words,
lying = vanity, futility, worthlessness, i.e., that which has no result or use and so worthless
vanity, futility, worthlessness, i.e., that which has no result or use and so worthless
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Lying fellowship - And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
falsehood = deception, misleading falseness, i.e., a state or condition which is utterly false, and causes a mistaken belief
deception, misleading falseness, i.e., a state or condition which is utterly false, and causes a mistaken belief
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Singing to God
Singing to God
VERSE 9 A new song
Directing our sining and song towards God - I will sing a new song to You, O God;
I will sing a new song to You, O God;
Using instruments to praise Him - On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You
Compare what David uses his voice and hands for to those of the wicked in verse 8
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You
the real praise is in the heart, the true music is that of the soul. When music drowns the voice, and artistic skill takes a higher place than hearty singing, it is time that instruments were banished from public worship; but when they are subordinate to the song, as here, it is not for us to prohibit them, or condemn those who use them, though we ourselves greatly prefer to do without them, since it seems to us that the utmost simplicity of praise is far more congruous with the spirit of the gospel than pomp of organs —Charles Spurgeon
VERSE 10 The One
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Who saves kings - The One who gives salvation to kings,
The One who gives salvation to kings,
David’s personal salvation - Who delivers David His servant From the deadly sword.
Who delivers David His servant
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
From the deadly sword.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
State of joy
State of joy
Possible glimpse of David’s future Son’s kingdom , the Lord Jesus
VERSE 11 Repeat verse 7-8 in part
Deliver me from the foreigner - Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners,
Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners,
The character once again repeated - Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Whose mouth speaks lying words,
VERSE 12 Blessed families
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—
Strong sons rooted and grounded in the things of God - That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;
Stedfast daughters who hold up and are beautiful - That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style;
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style;
VERSE 13 Blessed labor
That our daughters may be as pillars,
Crops reaped from every field - That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce;
Livestock reproducing - That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our fields;
Sculptured in palace style;
That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our fields;
VERSE 14 Blessed community
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Supplying all kinds of produce;
Peace and unhindered blessing - That our oxen may be well laden; That there be no breaking in or going out; That there be no outcry in our streets.
Plentiful - That our oxen may be well laden;
No robbery - That there be no breaking in or going out;
Matthew 6:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
No sorrow or fear - That there be no outcry in our streets.
These verses may with a little accommodation be applied to a prosperous church, where the converts are growing and beautiful, the gospel stores abundant, and the spiritual increase most cheering. There ministers and workers are in full vigour, and the people are happy and united. The Lord make it so in all our churches evermore. —Charles Spurgeon
That our sheep may bring forth thousands
That our oxen may be well laden; That there be no breaking in or going out;
VERSE 15 - Blessed reality
And ten thousands in our fields;
That there be no breaking in or going out;
Happy to be in blessings of God - Happy are the people who are in such a state;
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
That there be no outcry in our streets.
Happy are the people who are in such a state;
Happy to know the God who blesses - Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.