Psalms 144:1

Of David.

1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Psalms 144:1 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
English Standard Version (ESV)
1 Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.
The Message Bible (MSG)
1 Blessed be God, my mountain, who trains me to fight fair and well.
American Standard Version (ASV)
1 Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, [And] my fingers to fight:
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
1 Thank the LORD, my rock, who trained my hands to fight and my fingers to do battle,
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
1 May the Lord my rock be praised, who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
1 Give praise to the Lord. He is my rock. He trains my hands for war. He trains my fingers for battle.

Psalms 144:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 144:1

Blessed [be] the Lord my strength
The author and giver of his natural strength of body, and of the fortitude of his mind, and of all the spiritual strength he had, to exercise grace, to bear up under afflictions and trials, to perform duty, and withstand enemies. It may be applied to Christ, the antitype of David, the man of God's right hand, he has made strong for himself. It may be rendered, "my rock" {c}; to whom the psalmist fled for shelter, when in distress and overwhelmed; and on whom he built his faith, and hope of eternal salvation, as well as depended on him for all supplies of grace and strength, and for help and succour in all times of need. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions, render it, "my God": and so the word "rock" is used for God, ( Deuteronomy 32:30 Deuteronomy 32:31 ) ; which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight;
he took him from being a shepherd, and made him a soldier; and from being the leader of a flock of sheep, to be a general of armies; and all his military skill in marshalling of troops, in leading them on to battle, and bringing them off as well as all his courage and success, were from the Lord: he whose hands and fingers had been used to the shepherd's crook, and to the handling of the harp and lyre, were taught how to handle the sword, the bow, the shield, and spear. God is a man of war himself; and he teaches the art of war, as he does husbandry and other things; see ( Exodus 15:3 ) ( Psalms 18:34 ) ; and so the Lord furnishes his people, who are here in a militant state, with spiritual armour, to fight against their spiritual enemies; he teaches them how to put it on, and directs them how to make use of every piece of it; as well as gives them boldness to face their enemies, and victory over them.


FOOTNOTES:

F3 (yrwu) "rupes mea", Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator so Ainsworth.

Psalms 144:1 In-Context

1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
3 LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.
5 Part your heavens, LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Genesis 49:24; Psalms 18:2,34
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