1441 Praise be to the God of my strength, teaching my hands the use of the sword, and my fingers the art of fighting: 2 He is my strength, and my Rock; my high tower, and my saviour; my keeper and my hope: he gives me authority over my people. 3 Lord, what is man, that you keep him in mind? or the son of man that you take him into account? 4 Man is like a breath: his life is like a shade which is quickly gone. 5 Come down, O Lord, from your heavens: at your touch let the mountains give out smoke. 6 With your storm-flames send them in flight: send out your arrows for their destruction. 7 Put out your hand from on high; make me free, take me safely out of the great waters, and out of the hands of strange men; 8 In whose mouths are false words, and whose right hand is a right hand of deceit.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 144:1-8
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.