Psalms 144

David gives God thanks for the blessings voushsafed unto him in his wars and government, confessing withal his own and all mens nothingness. He prayeth that God would powerfully deliver him out of his great straights, vowing to praise God for his blessings.

1. (A Psalm) of David. Blessed be the LORD my Rock; [See the Annot.Deut.32.on v.4. and 2 Sam.22.2.] that instructeth my hands for the combat: my fingers for the war.

2. My kindness, [i.e. he, which is so kind unto me, as kindness it self. Compare 2 Sam.22.v.2. See further Psalm 18.v.3.] and my fort, my high retreat, and my deliverer for me: [i.e. for my good and advantage] my shield and one whom I trust, that subjecteth people under me. [i.e. makes them obedient, and loyal to me.]

3. O LORD, what is man that thou knowest him? The child of man, that thou heedest him? [As if he should say; when one compareth the wretched and mean condition of man, with the infinity majesty of God: it cannot but fill the mind with admiration, that he should deign to think on so poor and miserable a creature.]

4. Man is like to vanity: his days are like a passing shadow. [See Psalms 102:12. and Job 8.v.9. and chapter 14.v.2,3.]

5. Incline thy Heavens LORD, [i.e. come help me and mine from heaven, and shew thy glory and power against our enemies. See 2 Sam.22.v.10. Spoken after the manner of men] and descend [viz. To my assistance, and to the destruction of thine enemies] touch the mountains. [i.e. (according as some conceive) my great and powerfull enemies. It may also be taken for a description of the Might and majesty of God, in the executing of his Judgements against the wicked, that oppress the godly. Compare Psalms 104:32. etc.] that they smoak: [i.e. that they may vanish like smoak.]

6. Lighten lightenings, and destroy them; [i.e. strike them down and confound them with thy Divine and Heavenly Power; those strange children, namely, of whom is spoken, verse 7.] Send forth thine Arrows and slay them.

7. Thrust forth hands from on high; [i.e. out of Heaven, as Psalms 18:17.] relieve me, and pluck me out of the great waters, [i.e. from those great persecutions of the wicked. See 2 Sam.22.on v.27.] out of the hand of strangers. [Hebr. The children of the strangers; either of a stranger to the fellowship of Israel, or of chose that lived in a strange land, or of those that would not acknowledge David their King yet, but did persecute him with Saul. See Psalm 54.22.on verse 45.]

8. Whose mouth speaketh lies, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. [He meaneth the right hand which they reach forth, and give in pledge of faithfulness; and so likewise, v.11.

9. O God, I will sing a new song unto thee: [See the Annot. Psalm 33.on v.2.3.] with the Lute, (and) [this particle is inserted here, because the Lute and the ten-stringed instrument are several instruments, as may be seen, Psalm 92.on v.4.] the ten- stringed instrument, will I sing Psalms unto thee:

10. Thee that giveth victory unto Kings: [See 2 Samuel, 8.verse 6.] that relieveth (or rescueth) his servant David from the evil sword: [i.e. from that sword, which goeth about to shed innocent blood.]

11. Relieve me, and rescue me from the hand of the strangers, whose mouth speaketh lies: and their Right hand is a right hand of falsehood. [as above, verse 8.]

12. That our sons may be as plants, which [Plants namely] grew great in their youth; our daughters as corner-stones, [i.e. fair and goodly of body and feature; as men use to trim, embellish and polish the cornerstones of a building, to give the more lustre and grace unto the whole frame in every ones eye] hewen out after the resemblance of a palace. [i.e. sumptuously and stately.]

13. That our shops, [Understand here such places, where any provisions are brought and laid up; as Barns, Granaries, Cellars, Store-houses, Magazines, etc. In a word, David prays here that God would bless him and all the Godly, with all manner yield forth one store after the other: [Hebrew, from food to food, i.e. aboundance of Food, plenty of Provision] that our flocks may bring forth by thousands, (yea) multiply by ten thousands, [i.e. in great aboundance] in our yards; [or streets, grounds, the word being variously taken See the Annot.on Job 5:10.]

14. That our Oxen be well-laden: [i.e. fat and fleshy, i.e. strong and sit to draw great burthens and to do much labour: or Bullocks well-laden, viz. With young ones, or Calves; for under the name of Oxen, the Cows are here to be understood likewise, as Deuterenomy 7.13.] that there be no breaking in, [viz. Of teh Enemies in our Towns and Cities, to take away our Goods and Cattle] nor no fallings to take away our Goods and cattle] nor no falling out [or, issuing forth, out of our Cities; viz. That we shall be compelled to pursue after our Enemies, for to recover the goods and Cattle they robbed us of: others, no issuing (woman,) crying and complaining abroad] nor clamour (or out-cry) upon our streets: [understand this of rumours of War, or allarums.]

15. Right happy is the people, with whom it fareth thus: [viz. As is just now related] right happy is the people, whose God is the LORD: [as if he said, be way of amending, or correcting, the last preceding words, thus; Nay, I say rather, that above all, right happy is that people, which is in Coverliving Source of all Bless and Happiness: which is the thing indeed, that doth contain the Chiefest good. Compare Psalms 4:7,8. And 17.14.15. and 33.12. and 65.5.]