Psalms 144:2
Psalms 144:2 in Multiple Translations
He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
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.
My lovingkindness, and my fortress, My high tower, and my deliverer; My shield, and he in whom I take refuge; Who subdueth my people under me.
He is my strength, and my Rock; my high tower, and my saviour; my keeper and my hope: he gives me authority over my people.
He is the one who faithfully loves me, protects me, and defends me. He is the one who rescues me, shields me from danger, and keeps me safe. He defeats nations and places them under my rule.
He is my goodnes and my fortresse, my towre and my deliuerer, my shield, and in him I trust, which subdueth my people vnder me.
My kind one, and my bulwark, My tower, and my deliverer, My shield, and in whom I have trusted, Who is subduing my people under me!
my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.
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.
Every day I will bless thee: and I will praise thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
He is the one who protects me; he is like a fortress [DOU] in which I am safe, he protects me like shields protect soldiers [MET], and he gives me refuge. He defeats other nations and then puts them under my power.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 144:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 144:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חַסְדִּ֥/י
וּ/מְצוּדָתִ/י֮
מִשְׂגַּבִּ֪/י
וּֽ/מְפַלְטִ֫/י
לִ֥/י
מָ֭גִנִּ/י
וּ/ב֣/וֹ
חָסִ֑יתִי
הָ/רוֹדֵ֖ד
עַמִּ֣/י
תַחְתָּֽ/י
חַסְדִּ֥/י
chêçêd
H2617
kindness
N-ms | Suff
וּ/מְצוּדָתִ/י֮
mâtsûwd
H4686
net
Conj | N-cs | Suff
מִשְׂגַּבִּ֪/י
misgâb
H4869
high refuge
N-ms | Suff
וּֽ/מְפַלְטִ֫/י
pâlaṭ
H6403
to escape
Conj | V-Piel | Suff
לִ֥/י
Prep | Suff
מָ֭גִנִּ/י
mâgên
H4043
shield
N-cs | Suff
וּ/ב֣/וֹ
Conj | Prep | Suff
חָסִ֑יתִי
châçâh
H2620
to seek refuge
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
הָ/רוֹדֵ֖ד
râdad
H7286
to subdue
Art | V-Qal
עַמִּ֣/י
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
תַחְתָּֽ/י
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 144:2
חַסְדִּ֥/י
chêçêd
H2617
"kindness"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Definition: goodness, kindness, faithfulness
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. See also: Genesis 19:19; Psalms 51:3; Psalms 5:8.
וּ/מְצוּדָתִ/י֮
mâtsûwd
H4686
"net"
Conj | N-cs | Suff
Matsud is a fortress or strong hold, like a castle or net, used for protection and capture, as mentioned in Psalm 31:4. It is a place of safety and security.
Definition: 1) net, prey, net prey 1a) net 1b) prey
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: castle, defense, fort(-ress), (strong) hold, be hunted, net, snare, strong place. See also: 1 Samuel 22:4; Job 39:28; Psalms 18:3.
מִשְׂגַּבִּ֪/י
misgâb
H4869
"high refuge"
N-ms | Suff
Misgab refers to a high place or tower that provides defense and refuge, like a fortress. It is also the name of a place in Moab, mentioned in Jeremiah 48:1. The KJV translates it as Misgab.
Definition: 1) high place, refuge, secure height, retreat 1a) stronghold 1b) refuge (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Misgab. See also: 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalms 59:18; Psalms 9:10.
וּֽ/מְפַלְטִ֫/י
pâlaṭ
H6403
"to escape"
Conj | V-Piel | Suff
To escape means to slip out of a difficult situation, like the Israelites did when they left Egypt, as told in Exodus 14. The word can also mean to deliver or save someone, often used to describe God's actions in the Bible. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to escape, save, deliver, slip away 1a) (Qal) to escape 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bring into security, deliver 1b2) to cause to escape, cast forth 1b3) to be delivered 1b4) to slip away 1c) (Hiphil) to bring into security, bring to safety
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: calve, carry away safe, deliver, (cause to) escape. See also: 2 Samuel 22:2; Psalms 37:40; Psalms 17:13.
לִ֥/י
""
Prep | Suff
מָ֭גִנִּ/י
mâgên
H4043
"shield"
N-cs | Suff
A shield in biblical times, this word also symbolizes protection, like God being a shield to those who trust in Him, as seen in Psalm 3:3. It can also refer to a ruler or leader who defends their people.
Definition: shield, buckler
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] armed, buckler, defence, ruler, [phrase] scale, shield. See also: Genesis 15:1; Psalms 33:20; Psalms 3:4.
וּ/ב֣/וֹ
""
Conj | Prep | Suff
חָסִ֑יתִי
châçâh
H2620
"to seek refuge"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To seek refuge means to flee to a safe place for protection, and it can also mean to trust in God. In the Bible, it appears in Psalms and Proverbs, where people put their hope in God. This concept is important in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection 1a) to put trust in (God), confide or hope in (God) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: have hope, make refuge, (put) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 32:37; Psalms 36:8; Psalms 2:12.
הָ/רוֹדֵ֖ד
râdad
H7286
"to subdue"
Art | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to subdue or conquer someone or something. It can also mean to spread out or overlay something.
Definition: 1) to beat down, beat out, subdue 1a) (Qal) to beat down (fig) 1b) (Hiphil) to beat out
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: spend, spread, subdue. See also: Judges 19:11; Psalms 144:2; Isaiah 45:1.
עַמִּ֣/י
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
תַחְתָּֽ/י
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
Study Notes — Psalms 144:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 144:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 144:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 144:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 144:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 144:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
- Sermons on Psalms 144:2
Context — Blessed Be the LORD, My Rock
1Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
2He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
3O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him? 4Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 22:2–3 | He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence. |
| 2 | Psalms 18:2 | The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. |
| 3 | Psalms 91:2 | I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” |
| 4 | Psalms 59:9 | I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 16:19 | O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all. |
| 6 | Psalms 84:9 | Take notice of our shield, O God, and look with favor on the face of Your anointed. |
| 7 | Psalms 18:47 | the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me, |
| 8 | Psalms 110:3 | Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth. |
| 9 | 2 Samuel 22:40–48 | You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. You have made my enemies retreat before me; I put an end to those who hated me. They looked, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer. I ground them as the dust of the earth; I crushed and trampled them like mud in the streets. You have delivered me from the strife of my people; You have preserved me as the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me. Foreigners cower before me; when they hear me, they obey me. Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds. The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! And may God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted— the God who avenges me and brings down nations beneath me, |
Psalms 144:2 Summary
This verse says that God is our love, our safe place, and our protector. He helps us and keeps us safe, like a shield, and gives us victory over the things that are against us (as seen in Psalms 23:4, where it is written that God is with us, even in the darkest valley). We can trust in God and rely on Him to take care of us, no matter what happens. By trusting in God, we can have peace and feel safe, knowing that He is our rock and our salvation (as expressed in Psalms 62:2).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God is our 'steadfast love'?
This phrase, found in Psalms 144:2, refers to God's unwavering and unrelenting love for us, as also seen in Psalms 136:1, where it is written that 'His love endures forever'.
How can God be both our 'fortress' and our 'deliverer'?
As our fortress, God provides a safe and secure place for us to take refuge, as mentioned in Psalms 91:2, while as our deliverer, He rescues us from harm and danger, as seen in Psalms 40:17.
What does it mean to 'take refuge' in God?
Taking refuge in God means to trust in and rely on Him for protection, comfort, and guidance, as expressed in Psalms 46:1, where it is written that 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble'.
How does God 'subdue peoples under' us?
This phrase, found in Psalms 144:2, refers to God's power and authority to give us victory over our enemies and to help us overcome challenges, as also seen in Psalms 18:47, where it is written that God 'subdues peoples under' us and 'saves' us from our enemies.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has shown Himself to be my 'steadfast love' and 'fortress' in my life?
- How can I more fully trust in God as my 'deliverer' and 'shield' in times of trouble?
- What are some 'peoples' or challenges in my life that I need to trust God to subdue under me?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of refuge and trust in God, as expressed in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 144:2
My goodness,.... Not only good, but goodness itself; the donor of all the blessings of goodness to him; the author of all goodness in him; the provider of all goodness for him, laid up to be used hereafter.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 144:2
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
My goodness; or, my mercy; or, the God of my mercy, as God is called, ,17; the name of God being easily understood from the foregoing verse. Or, he who is exceeding good or merciful to me, as good as goodness itself; the abstract being put for the concrete, as it is frequently in speeches of God, who is called wisdom, truth, goodness, &c.; and, sometimes of men, as , where faithfulness and uprightness are put for faithful and upright men. Who subdueth my people under me; who has disposed my people’ s hearts to receive and obey me as their king.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
Psalms 144:2 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.Ver. 2. My goodness and my fortress] See Psalms 18:1, with the notes, His epithetis et elogiis eblanditur Deum, saith an interpreter (Genebr.). Who subdueth my people under me] This is the work of God, and not of kingcraft, to make men good subjects who are naturally discontented at the present government, be it never so good, and apt to rebel, αειτοπαρονβαρυ (Thucyd.).
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
(2) My goodness·—Or, my lovingkindness, or my grace, a shortened form of “God of my grace” (Psalms 59:10; Psalms 59:17). The expression is exactly analogous to the term” grace,” applied to kings as the source of grace or mercy. For the other epithets, see Psalms 18:2. Who subdueth.—Psalms 18:47; but the verb is different (cognate with 2 Samuel 22:48), and here the singular, “my people,” instead of “my peoples.” Some MSS. indeed have the plural here, and the Syriac and Chaldee followed them, or changed to suit Psalms 18. If we had the historical incidents out of which the psalm sprung we might account for the change.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
Verse 2. Who subdueth my people] Who has once more reduced the nation to a state of loyal obedience. This may refer to the peace after the rebellion of Absalom.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 144:2
2. Cp. Psalms 18:2; Psalms 18:47, and notes there. My goodness] Rather, my lovingkindness, a bold expression for the God of my lovingkindness (Psalms 59:10; Psalms 59:17), to denote Jehovah as the sum and source of lovingkindness. A partial parallel may be found in Jonah 2:8, but in view of the fact that the verse is almost wholly derived from Psalms 18, it seems not improbable that we should read as in Psalms 18:1, my strength (ηζχι for ηρψι), or as in Psalms 18:2, my cliff (ρμςι), which agrees better with the next epithet my fortress or stronghold. my deliverer] Lit. my deliverer for me, as in 2 Samuel 22:2. In Psalms 18 for me is omitted. my shield, and he in whom I have taken refuge] A somewhat awkward variation from the text in Psalms 18, “my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield.” who subdueth my people under me] The phrase resembles the text of 2 Samuel 22:48 (who bringeth down) more closely than that of Psa 18:47 (and led subject, a different word from that used here). Instead of my people both texts read peoples, which is supported by some MSS and several Versions (Aq. Syr. Jer. Targ.) here.
If Israel is the speaker, this reading must be adopted here, and the reference must be to the subjugation of neighbouring nations: but if the leader of the community is speaking, the more difficult reading ‘my people,’ which is supported by the LXX, may be right. The reference will then be to his success in overcoming internal dissensions (cp. “the strivings of my people,” 2 Samuel 22:44) and the establishment of his authority.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 144:2
My goodness - Margin, “my mercy.” That is, He shows me mercy or favor. All the favors that I receive come from him. And my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer - See the notes at Psalms 18:2, where the same words occur.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 144:2
2. My goodness—Meaning, “the source from which goodness, or mercy, comes to me.” Who subdueth—Refers to the restoration of David’s authority after the suppression of Absalom’s rebellion.
Sermons on Psalms 144:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Experiencing Jesus by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of receiving a text message from his son with a Bible verse that he had been contemplating preaching on. He emphasizes the |
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Bringing the Power of God Into Prayer by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of speaking and the impact it can have on someone's life. He shares a story from the Old Testament about three lepers who made a c |
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God Our Fortress - Part 1 by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the minister shares a story about a young man who rejects laws and rules, believing that they restrict his freedom. However, the minister emphasizes the importance |
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God Our Fortress - Part 2 by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of family as a protection and shelter provided by God. He emphasizes the need to honor and respect parents and live in obedien |
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Psalms 61:2 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of turning to God as our refuge when we feel overwhelmed by life's pressures and stresses. He highlights that in moments of despair, we often |
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(Dangers in the Way Series): Dangers of Arrogance and Defeat by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher encourages listeners to take the defeat and discouragement out of their spirits and hearts. He emphasizes that failure, whether in business or any othe |
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(Dangers in the Way Series): Sources of Danger by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher uses a metaphor of a frozen eagle to illustrate how we can become entangled in the world and eventually be led to our downfall. He warns against compla |