Book 1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41,
Book 2 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72,
Book 3 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,
Book 4 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101 , 102, 103, 104, 105, 106,
Book 5 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150
Prayer for Rescue and Prosperity.144:1 Blessed [be] YHWH (יהוה) my strength, which teaches my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:
144:2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and [he] in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.
144:3 YHWH (יהוה), what [is] man, that thou takes knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makes account of him!
144:4 Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passes away.
144:5 Bow thy heavens, O YHWH (יהוה), and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
144:6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
144:7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;
144:8 Whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand of falsehood.
144:9 I will sing a new song unto Thee, O Elohim (אלהים): upon a psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
144:10 [It is he] that gives salvation unto kings: who delivers David his servant from the hurtful sword.
144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand of falsehood:
144:12 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:
144:13 [That] our garners [may be] full, affording all manner of store: [that] our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
144:14 [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.
144:15 Happy [is that] people, that is in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose Elohim (אלהים) [is] YHWH (יהוה).
Book 1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41,
Book 2 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72,
Book 3 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,
Book 4 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101 , 102, 103, 104, 105, 106,
Book 5 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150
Tehillim (Psalm) 144 is a royal psalm attributed to David, combining personal prayers for protection with national blessings for prosperity. It opens by praising HaShem as a trainer for war and a shield, marvels at divine providence over fragile human life, and concludes with a vision of a secure, flourishing nation, blessed by HaShem.
Key Themes and Structure Praise for HaShem the Warrior (Verses 1-2):
David acknowledges that his strength, skill in battle, and security come directly from HaShem, calling Him his Rock, Fortress, and Shield.
The Fragility of Man (Verses 3-4):
David expresses wonder that HaShem cares for humanity, noting that human life is fleeting, like a passing shadow or a mere breath.
Prayer for Victory (Verses 5-11):
A plea for divine intervention against "foreigners" or enemies whose words are false. David asks HaShem to descend, break the stalemate, and rescue him, allowing him to sing a "new song".
Blessings for National Prosperity (Verses 12-15):
The psalm concludes with a vision of a prosperous society:
Youth: Sons are like robust, maturing plants, and daughters are like polished cornerstones of a palace.
Economy:
Granaries are full, livestock multiply, and there is no lack. Safety: The streets are free from violence or panic.
Final Proclamation:
The psalm declares, "Happy is the people that is in such a case; happy is the people whose HaShem is the LORD".
Key Interpretations Warrior Training:
Psalm 144 - War and Peace notes that David sees HaShem as the source of his military training, using shepherd skills for combat, emphasizing that HaShem equips individuals for their specific challenges.
The "New Song":
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 144 explains that this refers to a fresh, specific thanksgiving for new deliverance, emphasizing a personal, ongoing relationship with HaShem.
Rabbinic Interpretation:
Rav Kook Torah interprets the "outcry in our streets" (v. 14) through the Talmud, as a prayer that leaders and rabbis not be plagued by corrupt, misguided students who distort Torah, emphasizing the need for authentic leadership.