Psalm 144:2

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 144:2

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 144:2

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 144:2

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 144:1-2

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

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 144:2

My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust . The general resemblance to Psalms 18:2 is striking, but there are peculiar and original touches which indicate the author, not the copyist. For instance, the expression, "my goodness," occurs nowhere else. Who subdueth my people under me. Another reading gives, "Who subdueth peoples under me." Either reading suits the circumstances of David, who had to subdue a great portion of his own... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 144:2

My goodness - Margin, “my mercy.” That is, He shows me mercy or favor. All the favors that I receive come from him.And my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer - See the notes at Psalms 18:2, where the same words occur.My shield - The same word which in Psalms 18:2 is rendered “buckler.” See the notes at that passage.And he in whom I trust - The same idea as in Psalms 18:2. The tense of the verb only is varied.Who subdueth my people under me - See the notes at Psalms 18:47. The language is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 144:1-2

Psalms 144:1-2. Blessed be the Lord my strength On whom I rely, and from whom I have power to withstand and subdue my enemies, and to perform the duties of my place and station; who teacheth my hands to war, &c. Who gives me that skill in military affairs, and that dexterity in the management of my weapons, which is much above my education and former course of life; my goodness Or, my mercy, or the God of my mercy, as God is called, Psalms 59:10; Psalms 59:17. He who is... read more

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