Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children ,.... This is repeated from Psalm 144:7 ; and is done to show the vehemency and importunity of the request, and the danger David was in, and his sense of it; See Gill on Psalm 144:7 ; whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood . See Gill on Psalm 144:8 . read more
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth ,.... The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read, "whose sons are as plants", &c.; as if this and what follows were a description of the families, estates, substance, and outward happiness of wicked men, the enemies of David, the strange children he desired to be delivered from, agreeably to Job 21:7 ; and if the word "saying", or "who say", be supplied, as by some F15 So Schmidt. , and... read more
That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store ,.... Or "our corners" F19 מזוינו "anguli nostri", Pagninus, Vatablus, Cocceius, Michaelis. , the corners of their houses, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi; the nooks that were in them might be full of provisions for the supply of the family; or that their barns and granaries might be full of all kind of corn, as wheat, rye, barley, &c.; which might be sufficient from year to year, as the Targum; plenty of all food is... read more
That our oxen may be strong to labour ,.... To draw carriages, to plough with, and to tread out the corn: or "may be burdened" F23 מסבלים "onusti", Pagninus, Montanus, Gejerus; "onerarii", so some in Vatablus; "onerati", Schmidt; "loden", Ainsworth, ; fit to carry burdens; or burdened with flesh, be plump and fat, and in good condition to work; or burdened with young, as some F24 So Bochart. Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. 295. understand it, and then it must be meant of cows,... read more
Happy is that people that is in such a case ,.... Whose families are in good order and behave well; who enjoy plenty of all good things; whose flocks and herds increase, and who live in peace and prosperity; these are temporal blessings highly valuable, and for which those who have them should be thankful, as being happy in comparison of others that are destitute of them, Deuteronomy 28:3 ; and especially who besides these are blessed with spiritual blessings, signified by them, and of... read more
That our sons may be as plants - God had promised to his people, being faithful, Three descriptions of Blessings, Deuteronomy 28:4 . The fruit of the body - sons and daughters. The fruits of the ground - grass and corn in sufficient plenty. Fruit of the cattle-"the increase of kine, and flocks of sheep." These are the blessings to wnich the psalmist refers here, as those in which he might at present exult and triumph: blessings actually enjoyed by his people at large; proofs of his... read more
That our garners, etc. - Our garners are full. These are not prayers put up by David for such blessings: but assertions, that such blessings were actually in possession. All these expressions should be understood in the present tense. Ten thousands in our streets - בחצתינו bechutsotheynu should be translated in our pens or sheep-walks; for sheep bringing forth in the streets of cities or towns is absurd. read more
Our oxen may be strong to labor - We have not only an abundance of cattle; but they are of the most strong and vigorous breed. No breaking in - So well ordered is the police of the kingdom, that there are no depredations, no robbers, house-breakers, or marauding parties, in the land; no sudden incursions of neighboring tribes or banditti breaking into fields or houses, carrying away property, and taking with them the people to sell them into captivity: there is no such breaking in, and... read more
Happy is that people - " O how happy are the people!" Such were his people; and they had not only all this secular happiness, but they had Jehovah for their God; and in him had a ceaseless fountain of strength, protection, earthly blessings, and eternal mercies! A people in such a case to rebel, must have the curse of God and man. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 144:9-15
The method is the same in this latter part of the psalm as in the former; David first gives glory to God and then begs mercy from him. I. He praises God for the experiences he had had of his goodness to him and the encouragements he had to expect further mercy from him, Ps. 144:9, 10. In the midst of his complaints concerning the power and treachery of his enemies, here is a holy exultation in his God: I will sing a new song to thee, O God! a song of praise for new mercies, for those... read more