Psalm 144:12

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 144:12

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 144:12

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 144:12

Verse 12 12.Because our sons, etc. These three concluding verses some consider as being a wish or a prayer. (271) Others think that David congratulates himself, and all the people, that through the divine blessing every species of mercy was showered down prosperously upon them. I have no doubt that David commemorates, by way of thanksgiving, the liberality which God had shown to his people. But it consists very well with this, to suppose that he prays at the same time for the continuance or... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:1-15

What the goodness of God does for me and in me. This psalm is a string of quotations, mostly from Psalms 18:1-50 ; as any reference Bible will show; and as that psalm is almost undisputedly one of David's composition, therefore this, which owes so much to it, may be called his likewise. It is also one of the war-psalms, breathing the fierce and sometimes the truculent spirit, the presence of which in these psalms has so often perplexed the Christian reader. In order to understand such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:11-12

Children who are a sorrow and shame, and those who are our unspeakable joy. In these verses we have contrasted the children concerning whom we pray, "Rid and deliver us," with those who are such as every godly man desires and craves of God that his own sons and daughters may be. The prayer of our text, it has been repeatedly remarked, is the prayer which may well come from every prince, patriot, and parent. The interests and well-being of each depend upon its being answered. As is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:12

That our sons may be as plants . The stanza which these words introduce is a very remarkable one, having nothing at all corresponding to it in the rest of the Psalter. It has been thought by some to be an antique document, quoted by the writer of the psalm, as suited for a festal occasion. Our translation makes it a picture of the condition to which the writer hopes that Israel may one day come; but the best recent critics see in it a description of Israel's actual condition in the writer's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:12-15

True national prosperity. "It is only a narrow and one-sided religion that can see anything out of place in this beatitude of plenty and peace." "As plants : this figure marks the native strength and vigor and freedom of the youth of the land. As corner-pillars : marks the polished gracefulness, the quiet beauty, of the maidens; who are like exquisitely sculptured forms (Caryatides) which adorned the corner of some magnificent hall or chamber of a palace." (It does not, however,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 144:12-15

A golden age. "The psalmist recounts glorious victories in the past; complains that the nation is now beset by 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." The people who have Jehovah for their God, who obey his will and are governed by his laws, will be distinguished in the following... read more

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