3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
3 O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?
3 I wonder why you care, God - why do you bother with us at all?
3 Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
3 O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?
2 "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins."
2 "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
2 "Out of all the families on earth, I picked you. Therefore, because of your special calling, I'm holding you responsible for all your sins."
2 "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."
2 "From among all the families on the earth, I have been intimate with you alone. That is why I must punish you for all your sins."
(Read Amos 3:1-8)
The distinguishing favours of God to us, if they do not restrain from sin, shall not exempt from punishment. They could not expect communion with God, unless they first sought peace with him. Where there is not friendship, there can be no fellowship. God and man cannot walk together, except they are agreed. Unless we seek his glory, we cannot walk with him. Let us not presume on outward privileges, without special, sanctifying grace. The threatenings of the word and providence of God against the sin of man are certain, and certainly show that the judgments of God are at hand. Nor will God remove the affliction he has sent, till it has done its work. The evil of sin is from ourselves, it is our own doing; but the evil of trouble is from God, and is his doing, whoever are the instruments. This should engage us patiently to bear public troubles, and to study to answer God's meaning in them. The whole of the passage shows that natural evil, or troubles, and not moral evil, or sin, is here meant. The warning given to a careless world will increase its condemnation another day. Oh the amazing stupidity of an unbelieving world, that will not be wrought upon by the terrors of the Lord, and that despise his mercies!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 144:3
Commentary on Psalm 144:1-8
(Read Psalm 144:1-8)
When men become eminent for things as to which they have had few advantages, they should be more deeply sensible that God has been their Teacher. Happy those to whom the Lord gives that noblest victory, conquest and dominion over their own spirits. A prayer for further mercy is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy. There was a special power of God, inclining the people of Israel to be subject to David; it was typical of the bringing souls into subjection to the Lord Jesus. Man's days have little substance, considering how many thoughts and cares of a never-dying soul are employed about a poor dying body. Man's life is as a shadow that passes away. In their highest earthly exaltation, believers will recollect how mean, sinful, and vile they are in themselves; thus they will be preserved from self-importance and presumption. God's time to help his people is, when they are sinking, and all other helps fail.