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Selected Verse: Psalms 144:1 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ps 144:1 |
King James |
A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Blessed be the Lord my strength - Margin, as in Hebrew, "my rock." See the notes at Psa 18:46, where the same expression occurs in the Hebrew.
Which teacheth my hands to war - Hebrew, "To the war." See the notes at Psa 18:34. The Hebrew is not precisely alike, but the sense is the same.
And my fingers to fight - Hebrew, my fingers to the fight. That is, he teaches my fingers so that I can skillfully use them in battle. Probably the immediate reference here is to the use of the bow - placing the arrow, and drawing the string. |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
The whole of this first strophe is an imitation of David's great song of thanksgiving, Ps 18. Hence the calling of Jahve "my rock," Psa 18:3, Psa 18:47; hence the heaping up of other appellations in Psa 144:2, in which Psa 18:3 is echoed; but וּמפלּטי־לי (with Lamed deprived of the Dagesh) follows the model of Sa2 22:2. The naming of Jahve with חסדּי is a bold abbreviation of אלהי חסדּי in Psa 59:11, 18, as also in Jon 2:8 the God whom the idolatrous ones forsake is called הסדּם. Instead of מלחמה the Davidic Psalms also poetically say קרב, Psa 55:22, cf. Psa 78:9. The expression "who traineth my hands for the fight" we have already read in Psa 18:35. The last words of the strophe, too, are after Psa 18:48; but instead of ויּדבּר this poet says הרודד, from רדד = רדה (cf. Isa 45:1; Isa 41:2), perhaps under the influence of uwmoriyd in Sa2 22:48. In Psa 18:48 we however read עמּים, and the Masora has enumerated Psa 144:2, together with Sa2 22:44; Lam 3:14, as the three passages in which it is written עמי, whilst one expects עמים (ג דסבירין עמים), as the Targum, Syriac, and Jerome (yet not the lxx) in fact render it. But neither from the language of the books nor from the popular dialect can it be reasonably expected that they would say עמּי for עמּים in such an ambiguous connection. Either, therefore, we have to read עמים,
(Note: Rashi is acquainted with an otherwise unknown note of the Masora: תחתיו קרי; but this Ker is imaginary.)
or we must fall in with the strong expression, and this is possible: there is, indeed, no necessity for the subduing to be intended of the use of despotic power, it can also be intended to God-given power, and of subjugating authority. David, the anointed one, but not having as yet ascended the throne, here gives expression to the hope that Jahve will grant him deeds of victory which will compel Israel to submit to him, whether willingly or reluctantly. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Teacheth my hands to war - To use sword, battle-axe, or spear.
And my fingers to fight - To use the bow and arrows, and the sling. |
34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
2 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.
48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
2 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.
47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.