Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 144

David’s Praise and Prayer for God’s HelpIn this psalm, David begins by thanking God for past help and recognizing his total dependence on God. He remembers that God has been his strength, protector, and deliverer. David also thinks about how small and weak humans are compared to God, and he asks God to help him against his enemies. He knows that only God can give true victory and safety.v. 1-2: David blesses the Lord

v. 3-4: David is amazed that God cares for people at all. He asks, “Lord

v. 5-6: David asks God to show His power against his enemies. He prays, “Bow thy heavens, O Lord

v. 7-8: David continues, “Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood” (Psalm 144:7-8 ). He asks God to save him from enemies who are dishonest and cannot be trusted. David knows that only God can rescue him when he is surrounded by danger and lies.

Thanksgiving and Petitions; National Happiness DesiredIn the second part of this psalm, David continues his pattern of praising God first and then asking for His help. He thanks God for past deliverance and prays for ongoing protection and blessing, not just for himself but for the whole nation. David’s desire is for a peaceful, prosperous, and godly people, knowing that true happiness comes from having the Lord

v. 11: David repeats his prayer for deliverance from enemies who are dishonest and untrustworthy. He asks, “Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood” . He knows that only God can protect him from such people.

v. 12-14: David prays for the nation’s prosperity and peace. He asks that their sons would be like strong, healthy plants, and their daughters like beautiful, polished pillars in a palace (Psalm 144:12 ). He wants their storehouses to be full, their sheep to multiply, and their oxen to be strong for work. He prays for peace—no enemy attacks, no going out to war, and no complaining in the streets. David knows that true happiness includes both material blessings and social harmony.

v. 15: David reflects, “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord