Psalm 144 Study Notes
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144:1-15 This psalm has a number of similarities with portions of Pss 8 and 18. Isaiah developed some of these same themes.
144:1 Compare this verse with 18:34. On the Lord as a rock, see note at 18:1-2.
144:2 Compare this verse with 18:2,46-50.
144:3 On son of man, see note at 8:3-4. The emphasis of this verse is on God’s concentrated attention on and his intimate knowledge of humanity.
144:4 The life of a human is compared to a mere breath, reinforcing the fleeting nature of human existence (103:14-15; Is 40:6-8). On like a passing shadow, see note at 102:11.
144:5 Compare this verse with 18:9. The metaphorical imagery is consistent with the language of Ps 18 and descriptions of the divine warrior (Am 9:5). Mountains tremble, smoke appears, and lightning accompanies the presence of the Lord.
144:6 The Lord scatters lightning bolts over the earth, directing them like arrows (18:14; Ezk 5:16; Zch 9:14).
144:7-8 Foreigners probably refer to those who worship false gods (18:44). Lies is literally “emptiness” (see Is 59:4). Whose right hands are deceptive refers to those who swore falsely with a raised right hand (Dt 32:40) or while shaking hands (Pr 6:1).
144:9 On new song, see note at 33:1-3.
144:10 David promises to praise the Lord when he answers his prayer for victory.
144:12 On sons . . . like plants, see notes at 80:8,9-11. The OT often refers to God’s people in agrarian terms (44:2; Ex 15:17; Is 5:7; Hs 10:1).
144:13 David’s prayer is not self-centered but carries with it prosperity for his people.
144:14 Some interpreters believe the phrases breach in the walls and going into captivity look back on Jerusalem’s destruction and Judah’s exile, proving that this psalm was written after the exile. Others say it is a prophetic warning similar to that in Deuteronomy (Dt 28:52,63-64).