Psalm 144

Psalm Category: Royal lament

Central Thought: God’s praises give us courage and content for prayer

Key words: The Lord, rescue, enemies

Past praise provides present prayer” is the logic of this psalm. David is very intentionally using the praise of Psalm 18 (see 2 Sam. 22) as the motive and substance of his prayer. A quick scan of marginal references will show the substantial connections. Since the Lord God is unchanging in his attributes and faithful in the loyal love of His covenant, David asks that He do for him here and now what He did for him then and there. Namely, he asks the Lord to deliver him from all His enemies on every side and to lead him into a place of peace and prosperity. In Christ, the Son of David, we can do the same.

Praise (vv. 1–4)

David begins at the beginning. He declares the Lord’s proven goodness to deliver His people (vv. 1–2) and confesses his own need and unworthiness of such goodness (vv. 3–4).

Prayer (vv. 5–8)

In the hope of help nourished by praise, David now makes his request. He asks the Lord to reveal Himself by restraining the powers that are envious of His people (v. 5; see 68:16) and by dissipating their schemes against him (v. 6). He asks that the Lord would take him in hand (John 10:28–29) out of the hands of hostile foreigners who would do him harm—those whose hands had sworn an oath to leave him in peace, raising their right hands to heaven, but falsely (v. 8).

Promise (vv. 9–11)

He now promises new praise in anticipation of new mercies (v. 9; see 33:2–3). New praise is in essence—and in this psalm also in form (see Ps.18; 2 Sam. 22)—singing old words for new reasons. He renews his hope with a brief return to praise (v. 10) and a second witness to his petition (v. 11; see vv. 7–8).

Provision (vv. 12–14)

At this point, David breaks his connection to Psalm 18 and seems to draw a picture of what the salvation he asks for will look like. An untranslated word that begins verse 12 connects in meaning to the “blessed” in verse 15 to wrap up this section as the gift that it is. In the salvation prayed for (vv. 7–8, 11), our sons will forgo a wasteful adolescence and enter strong maturity in their youth (v. 12a). Our daughters will be like ancient pillars carved as beautiful yet modest young women holding up the structures of society with their God-given virtues (v. 12b; see Prov. 31:10). We will enjoy great abundance and variety in food and clothing (v. 13; 1 Tim. 6:8). Though the interpretation of verse 14 is challenging, it may be best to honor the distinct pairs of the previous two verses by understanding this verse to speak of majestic chiliarchs (i.e., commanders of thousands, v. 14, see v. 13; 1 Sam. 18:13) who prevent both invasion and exile as well as the outcries that accompany these calamities (see 1 Tim. 2:1–2).

Praise (v. 15)

David summarizes his prayer, promise, and anticipated provision by declaring the blessedness of God’s people in His salvation. Then he declares, above all, the blessedness of those whose God is the powerful, good, loyal, and loving covenant Lord. His gifts are great, but the gift of Himself as our God and Savior in Christ is infinitely, eternally, and unchangeably greatest.

Pray His Praises!

Praise the Lord for all His glorious attributes, and then ask Him to communicate these virtues to you in Christ and by the Spirit. Praise Him because He is good, and then ask Him to make you good and generous in Christ and by the Spirit. Praise Him for His holiness, and ask Him to make you holy.

Praise the Lord for all His wonderful works of salvation, and then ask Him to save you here and now as He saved others then and there. Praise Him for His creation, and then ask Him to make you a new creation in Christ. Praise Him for redeeming His people out of Egypt and leading them into the Promised Land. Then ask Him to bring you out of your sin and death and to lead you into Christ’s righteousness and life, more and more until perfectly at His coming (see Col. 1:13; 2:12; 2:20; 3:1, 5, 9–10, 12).

Bless the Lord (v. 1) and be blessed in Him (v. 15). Pray His praises!

Kit Swartz | Comments welcome at oswegorpc@hotmail.com. Sermon audio files and pdf outlines on these Psalms are available at reformedvoice.com.