Psalm 144 may be grouped into four sections. These are (1) verses 1-4, (2) verses 5-8, (3) verses 9-11, and (4) verses 12-15. Below you will find each section, quoted from the Christian Standard Bible, followed by brief comments on the section with a prayer.
Section 1, verses 1-4
“Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare. He is my faithful love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him; he subdues my people under me. LORD, what is a human that you care for him, a son of man that you think of him? A human is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.”
In these verses, King David praises Yahweh who has trained him to fight the battles of Israel. Because of his military conquests, his people serve him. These facts put David into a state of awe and wonder, “God, why do you care so much for man?” The word “breath” to which David compares man, is the same Hebrew word used throughout Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” When David prays in verse 4 that man is like a breath, he describes man as the epitome of the Book of Ecclesiastes “Vanity”. Here today, gone tomorrow. And yet, despite the finitude of man’s existence, the eternal and living God cares for him.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for caring for us. Our life passes by speedily, and yet each moment is under your watchful eye. You trained David’s hands for physical war against Israel’s enemies. Train us, your people, for the spiritual war against the powers in the heavenly places. Amen.”
Section 2, verses 5-8
“LORD, part your heavens and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will smoke. Flash your arrows and rout them. Reach down from on high; rescue me from deep water, and set me free from the grasp of foreigners whose mouths speak lies, whose right hands are deceptive.”
David calls for God’s intervention. “Part your heavens and come down” is like praying “your kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” David beseeches God to deliver him from foreigners who are characterized by lies and deceit.
“Heavenly Father, may your kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Deliver your people, the Church, from those whose values and way of life is foreign to the paths that please you. We ask that you intervene in the world in such a way that all people would be truth-tellers, those who are not deceptive but rather receptive to your word, your gospel, your Christ, your kingdom and kingdom ways. Amen.”
Section 3, verses 9-11
“God, I will sing a new song to you; I will play on a ten-stringed harp for you – the one who gives victory to kings, who frees his servant David from the deadly sword. Set me free and rescue me from foreigners whose mouths speak lies, whose right hands are deceptive.”
The “chorus” of this Psalm is repeated in verse 11, a repeated request to be set free from foreigners who are characterized by lies and deceit. But, in the previous section the chorus was prefaced by a petition for God to intervene (part your heavens and come down). Here, the chorus is prefaced by a song of praise, “I will sing a new song to you; I will play on a ten-stringed harp for you.” Prayer turns to praise, even before the prayer is answered. God will give victory to his servant. That servant, the one to whom God’s ultimate victory was given, is Jesus Christ our Lord. He was rescued from death, by being raised from the dead. He was vindicated by the Spirit and seated at the right hand of the Father, where he reigns over all.
“Heavenly Father, you have set your servant, Jesus Christ our Lord, on high at your right hand. You have given him the name above all names. You have made him king of kings. And you have given him as head over all things to the Church, which is his body. Your people sing a new song to you. Let your praises continually be on our lips. Amen.”
Section 4, verses 12-14
“Then our sons will be like plants nurtured in their youth, our daughters, like corner pillars that are carved in the palace style. Our storehouses will be full, supplying all kinds of produce; our flocks will increase by thousands and tens of thousands in our open fields. Our cattle will be well fed. There will be no breach in the walls, no going into captivity, and no cry of lament in our public squares. Happy are the people with such blessings. Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.”
This final section lists the blessings God bestows on a people who are delivered by God and who offer songs of praise to God. Notice how all of these blessings are a result of the previous three sections. This section begins with the word “then”. These blessings are also part of the original creation design, a design where everything was meant to be fruitful and multiply. Instead of arrested development and extended adolescence, their sons will be matured at a young age. Their daughters will be like corner pillars: stable and beautiful. Even their animals are fruitful and multiplying. The curse against the ground will also be removed. This is seen by full storehouses. Wars will cease, as evidenced by unbroken walls and no more being carried off to captivity. There is also no public scandal, no “cry of lament” in the public square. Finally, these people are truly blessed, and these are the blessings God bestows. We should desire these blessings while keeping the whole psalm in mind.
“Heavenly Father, train our hands for spiritual warfare, to demolish every lofting opinion that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ. Deliver your people from those who rage against you and your ways. May our voices ever sing praises to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Continue to give victory to your servant, our Lord Jesus Christ. He reigns in heaven as every enemy is subdued under his feet. Extend his reign and rule. Then, O Lord, bestow your blessings on your people, and make us a people who are happy and blessed in you. Amen.”
Sound Teaching, Sound Living 