Psalms 144

Psalms 144:1

Title, of David = by David. The Septuagint adds “concerning Goliath.” This may be because Psalms 8, which relates to David and Goliath, has the same words in Psalms 8:4 as in Psalms 144:3. In any case, Psalms 144 is peculiarly appropriate to David’s victory (1 Samuel 17). Not a “compilation” of “fragments” of some “lost Psalms”, but a perfect whole with a perfect design, as shown by the Structure.

Blessed. Figure of Speech Benedictio (App-6.). Not Beatitudo as in Psalms 144:15.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

strength = rock, or fortress. Compare Deuteronomy 32:4. 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:47. 2 Samuel 18:2, 2 Samuel 18:31, 2 Samuel 18:46; 2 Samuel 19:14; 2 Samuel 28:1; 2 Samuel 62:2, 2 Samuel 62:6.

to war . . . to fight. Not merely generally, but specially in the case of Goliath (1 Samuel 17). See Title.

Psalms 144:2

goodness = lovingkindness. The Syriac reads “refuge”.

deliverer = liberator. Hebrew. paLatin Not the same word as in verses: Psalms 144:7, Psalms 144:10, Psalms 144:11. See notes below.

trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.

my People: A special reading called Sevir (see App-34), and some other codices, with Aram, rind Syriac, read “peoples”. Compare Psalms 18:47.

under me. In some codices there is a marginal note: “under Him”; and this is read the text, in some codices.

Psalms 144:3

what . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. Compare Psalms 8:4.

man. Hebrew. ’adam. App-14.

Greek. This word is read in some codices, with one early printed edition.

man. Hebrew. ’enosh. App-14.

Psalms 144:4

Man. Hebrew. ’adam. App-14.

Psalms 144:6

Cast forth = Flash. Hebrew lighten lightnings. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). See note on Genesis 26:28.

arrows. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

Psalms 144:7

Send = Put forth.

hand. Hebrew text reads “hands” (plural); but some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “hand” (singular), which Authorized Version and Revised Version followed.

Rid = snatch. Hebrew. pazah; same word as in Psalms 144:11, and “delivereth”, Psalms 144:10.

deliver = pluck, or rescue. Hebrew. nazal; same word as in Psalms 144:11, not the same as in verses: Psalms 144:2, Psalms 144:10.

strange. Always means foreign, in Hebrew, as in early English.

strange children = aliens. Hebrew = sons of the foreigner.

Psalms 144:8

speaketh. Compare Psalms 144:11; and note the words they speak in verses: Psalms 144:12-15.

Psalms 144:9

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Psalms 144:10

delivereth = snatcheth; same word as “rid”, verses: Psalms 7:11.

David . . . sword; with special reference to Goliath’s sword in 1 Samuel 17:50, 1 Samuel 17:51.

Psalms 144:12

That = Who. Hebrew. ’asher. Supply the Ellipsis thus: “Who [say] our sons are, &c. “All the words in italic type in verses: Psalms 144:12-15 - maybe omitted, or the Present Tense may be supplied throughout. The verb “say” or “saying” is very frequently to be thus understood. See note on Psalms 109:5.

may be. Supply “Are” and omit “That”.

Psalms 144:13

sheep = flocks.

streets = open fields. Hebrew that which is outside the house.

Psalms 144:14

strong to labour = well laden.

no breaking in = no invasion.

nor going out = no captivity.

Psalms 144:15

Happy. See App-63. in such a case: i.e. holding the false view that happiness consists in outward prosperity. Compare Psalms 4:6, Psalms 4:7, and Psalms 146:3 and Psalms 146:5.

Yea. Supply the Ellipsis (App-6), not as in Authorized Version and Revised Version, but [Yea, rather], or [Nay]. The last member (Yea, happy is that People, whose God

is the Lord.) being David’s own words; denying the vain and false words of the aliens (Psalms 144:8 and Psalms 144:12-15), and declaring the truth as to that in which real happiness consists. See note on Psalms 4:6, Psalms 4:7.