144
A Psalm of David.
1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:*†
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.‡
3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;§
8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9 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.
10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.**
11 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:
12 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:††
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:‡‡
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.§§
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
* 144:1 strength: Heb. rock † 144:1 to war…: Heb. to the war, etc ‡ 144:2 My goodness: or, My mercy § 144:7 hand from: Heb. hands from ** 144:10 salvation: or, victory †† 144:12 polished: Heb. cut ‡‡ 144:13 all…: Heb. from kind to kind §§ 144:14 strong…: Heb. able to bear burdens, or, loaden with flesh