Psalms 144:11-14

Psalms 144:11-14. Rid me, and deliver me, &c. “Prayer is again made for a continuance of God’s favour, and a complete victory over every enemy; the happy consequences of which, in the establishment of Israel and the prosperity of Jerusalem, are described.” That our sons, &c. This mercy I ask not only for my own sake, but for the sake of thy people, that thine and our enemies being subdued, and peace established in the land, thy people may enjoy those blessings which thou hast promised them. That our sons Who are the strength, safety, and hopes of our nation; may be as plants Flourishing and thriving, and growing in strength and stature, as plants do in their youth; that our daughters Upon whom the hope of posterity depends; may be as corner-stones, &c. Strong and beautiful, and adorned with all the ornaments belonging to their sex. That our garners may be full That our storehouses may be well replenished with the fruits and products of the earth. That our sheep may bring forth thousands, &c., in our streets So that they may fill our streets, being brought in great numbers to our towns and cities to furnish meat for the inhabitants. Or, in our folds, or stables, as the Chaldee, Dr. Waterland, and others, render חוצותינו , or, as the LXX. translate the word, εν τοις εξοδοις αυτων , in their outlets, out-goings, or walks; that is, in the fields where they abide. That our oxen may be strong to labour The oxen are not described by number, as the sheep, but very properly by their firmness and usefulness for tillage; Hebrew, מסבלים , portare facti, formed to bear, namely, the yoke. Some, indeed, interpret the expression, laden, burdened, with flesh and fat. But the former seems the more probable sense of the word. That there be no breaking in Namely, of enemies, invading our land, or assaulting our cities, and making breaches in our walls; nor going out Namely, of our people, either out of the towns and cities to fight with an invading enemy, or out of the land into captivity. No complaining Hebrew, צוחה , no outcry, or howling, or lamentation on account of any sad tidings, or public calamities, or grievances; in our streets ברחבתינו , a very different word from that rendered streets in the preceding verse. This properly means the broad, spacious ways of cities and towns, but the former word out-places, as out-buildings, folds, or fields. Kimchi observes of these verses, that all those three blessings, namely, of the womb, of the earth, and of cattle, which are mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:4, are specified here.