Psalms 144:2

Cp. Psalms 18:2; Psalms 18:47, and notes there.

My goodness Rather, my lovingkindness, a bold expression for the God of my lovingkindness(Psalms 59:10; Psalms 59:17), to denote Jehovah as the sum and source of lovingkindness. A partial parallel may be found in Jonah 2:8, but in view of the fact that the verse is almost wholly derived from Psalms 18, it seems not improbable that we should read as in Psalms 18:1, my strength(חזקי for חסרי), or as in Psalms 18:2, my cliff(סלעי), which agrees better with the next epithet my fortressor stronghold.

my deliverer Lit. my deliverer for me, as in 2 Samuel 22:2. In Psalms 18 for meis omitted.

my shield, andhe in whomI have taken refuge] A somewhat awkward variation from the text in Psalms 18, "my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield."

who subdueth my people under me The phrase resembles the text of 2 Samuel 22:48 (who bringeth down) more closely than that of Psalms 18:47 (and led subject, a different word from that used here). Instead of my peopleboth texts read peoples, which is supported by some MSS and several Versions (Aq. Syr. Jer. Targ.) here. If Israel is the speaker, this reading must be adopted here, and the reference must be to the subjugation of neighbouring nations: but if the leader of the community is speaking, the more difficult reading -my people," which is supported by the LXX, may be right. The reference will then be to his success in overcoming internal dissensions (cp. "the strivings of my people," 2 Samuel 22:44) and the establishment of his authority.