Psalm 144:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 144:1-8

Here, I. David acknowledges his dependence upon God and his obligations to him, Ps. 144:1, 2. A prayer for further mercy is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy; and when we are waiting upon God to bless us we should stir up ourselves to bless him. He gives to God the glory of two things:? 1. What he was to him: Blessed be the Lord my rock (Ps. 144:1), my goodness, my fortress, Ps. 144:2. He has in the covenant engaged himself to be so, and encouraged us, accordingly, to depend... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 144:1

Blessed be the Lord my strength ,.... The author and giver of his natural strength of body, and of the fortitude of his mind, and of all the spiritual strength he had, to exercise grace, to bear up under afflictions and trials, to perform duty, and withstand enemies. It may be applied to Christ, the antitype of David, the man of God's right hand, he has made strong for himself. It may be rendered, "my rock" F3 צורי "rupes mea", Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 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. The Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions render it my mercy, properly enough; that is, the God of "my mercy", as in Psalm 59:10 ; who is all mercy, full of mercy, rich and plenteous in it; which is abundant, and from everlasting to everlasting. Or, "my grace" F4 חסדי "gratia... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 144:1

Teacheth my hands to war - To use sword, battle-axe, or spear. And my fingers to fight - To use the bow and arrows, and the sling. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 144:2

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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 144:1

Verse 1 1.Blessed be Jehovah, my strength (257) It is very evident that David, since he celebrates the favor of God in such high terms, had not only obtained the kingdom, but gained signal victories. When he calls God his strength, he acknowledges that any courage he had was given him from above, not only because he had been made from a country shepherd a mighty warrior, but because the constancy and perseverance he had shown was signally a gift from God. This term answers better than were we... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 144:2

Verse 2 2.My goodness, etc. This way of using the word in a passive sense, as in the Hebrew, sounds harsh in Latin; just as elsewhere (Psalms 18:50) he calls himself “God’s king,” not in the sense of his having dominion over God, but being made and appointed king by him. Having experienced God’s kindness in so many ways, he calls him “his goodness,” meaning that whatever good he possessed flowed from him. The accumulation of terms, one upon another, which follows, may appear unnecessary, yet it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:1

Blessed be the Lord my strength ; or, "my rock" (comp. Psalms 18:2 , Psalms 18:46 ; Psalms 31:3 ; Psalms 62:7 , etc.). Which teacheth my hands to war, dud my fingers to fight (comp. Psalms 18:34 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:1-2

War-figures of God's relations. "The psalmist recounts glorious victories in the past; complains that the nation is now beset by strange, i . e . barbarous, enemies, so false and treacherous that no covenant can be kept with them; prays for deliverance from them by an interposition great and glorious as had been vouchsafed of old; and anticipates the return of a golden age of peace and plenty" (Perowne). If it ever has been right , the manifest duty of the hour, for a man to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:1-15

National piety and prosperity. The latter part of this psalm seems hardly to belong to the former; but looking at it in the light of the last verses, we regard it as an utterance which has in view, from first to last, the well-being of the nation. Thus considered, we have— I. THE ONE TRUE SOURCE OF NATIONAL SECURITY . ( Psalms 144:1 , Psalms 144:2 , Psalms 144:10 .) The writer is presumably David. He takes the position of a leader, of a warrior-king. And though we ... read more

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