Psalms 144:1 «[A Psalm] of David. » Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight: _A Psalm of David_] The Greek addeth, against Goliath; and the Chaldee, for the hurtful sword, Psalms 144:10, hath Goliath's sword. Ver. 1. _Blessed be the Lord my stre... [ Continue Reading ]
My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and [he] in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. Ver. 2. _My goodness and my fortress_] See Psalms 18:1, with the notes, His _epithetis et elogiis eblanditur Deum,_ saith an interpreter (Genebr.). _ Who subdueth my... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Ver. 3. _Lord, what is man?_] What am I, that thou shouldest do all this for me? or, what is the strongest man alive, when such a giant as Goliath so suddenly and easily is slain by me? _... [ Continue Reading ]
Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away. Ver. 4. _Man is like to vanity_] See Psalms 39:6; Psalms 62:9. _Adam Abelo compar est,_ Adam is Abel's mate. _ His days are as a shadow_] Which is a mere privation, and hath no subsistence at all.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Ver. 5. _Bow thy heavens, O Lord_] Come to my help suddenly and seasonably, as it were out of an engine, εκ της μηχανης . _ Touch the mountains_] These high and haughty enemies of mine, do thou but lightly touch the... [ Continue Reading ]
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. Ver. 6. _Cast forth lightning, and scatter them_] All this was done according to David's desire, Psalms 18:13,14. God sometimes answereth his suitors _ad cardinem desiderii; _ and saith unto them, Be it unto you even... [ Continue Reading ]
Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; Ver. 7. _Send thine hand from above_] Heb. hands, both hands, all thy whole power; for I need it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand of falsehood. Ver. 8. _Whose mouth speaketh vanity_] They keep touch no further than will serve their own turns. _ And their right hand_] No, though they give their hands upon it that they will keep promise. _ Multis annis iam tr... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee._ Ver. 9. _I will sing a new song_] Upon the receipt of any new mercy, like as in a lottery, at every new prize drawn the trumpet soundeth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 144:10 [It is he] that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Ver. 10. It is he that giveth salvation (or victory) unto kings] Ferdinand, king of Arragon, sending his son against the Florentines, thus bespake him: _Victoria mihi crede, non homin... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 11. _Rid me, and deliver me_] He repeateth his former petition, Psalms 144:7,8, for an utter riddance of those ill members that stood in the way of Israel... [ Continue Reading ]
That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace: Ver. 12. _That our sons may be as plants, &c._] As young plants, fair and flourishing. _ That our daughters may be as corner stones, &c._] Tall and... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 144:13 [That] our garners [may be] full, affording all manner of store: [that] our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: Ver. 13. _That our garners_] Heb. our corners, _i.e._ that every corner of our houses may be filled with pleasant and precious riches. _ That... [ Continue Reading ]
__ Psalms 144:14 _[That] our oxen [may be] strong to labour; [that there be] no breaking in, nor going out; that [there be] no complaining in our streets._ Ver. 14. _Nor going out_] viz. To encounter the enemy, or to be led into captivity. _ No complaining_] No outcries but harvest homes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Happy [is that] people, that is in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose God [is] the LORD. Ver. 15. _Happy is that people_] That hath such a confluence of outward comforts. In Hezekiah's days only it was so, say the Rabbis, peace, plenty, and posterity. The Syriac rendereth it question... [ Continue Reading ]