Psa 144.1-15 simply has the heading “Of David” or “L’David” in Hebrew. It praises and thanks Yehovah at the beginning of his reign and after his enemies have been defeated.
Psa 144.1-4 expresses the Hebraic attitude towards warriors and war. The warrior has no right to think a victory was because of his ability or skill, but it was Yehovah who trains him, “Blessed (empowered to succeed) be Yehovah, my rock (to take refuge in and to get strength), who trains my hands for battle (to handle a sword) and my fingers for war (to handle a bow and slings. A sling and a rock were very important to David-v 1). My lovingkindness and my fortress (“matzudati” and it is related to the word “Masada”), my stronghold, my rescuer, my shield, in whom I take refuge (David gives titles to Yehovah that represent his help in warfare); who subdues my people (Israel) under me (v 2). Yehovah, what is man, that thou dost take knowledge of him (take an interest in)? Or the son of man (“ben enosh”-this became an eschatological title based on its usage in Dan 7.13. It carries the idea of a frail, weak and mortal figure-Matt 16.13 uses it as the Messiah) that thou dost think of him (reckon with him, bother with him-v 3)? Man (“adam”) is like a mere breath (temporary, void of substance); his days are like a passing shadow (short life span-Ecc 6.12-v 4).”
Psa 144.5-8 is a prayer of deliverance, “Bow thy heavens (bend towards the earth), Yehovah, and come down (descend to help); touch the mountains (his enemies, kings and kingdoms) that they may smoke (destroy them visibly-v 5). Flash forth lightning and scatter them (his enemies); send out thine arrows (judgment in the form of famine, sword, disease, etc) and confuse them-Psa 18.15-v 6). Stretch forth thy hand from on high (to help); rescue me (save) and deliver me out of great waters (an army-Isa 8.6-8; Rev 12.15-16), out of the hands of aliens (foreigners-v 7) whose mouths speak deceit (vanity), and whose right hand (in an oath) is a right hand of falsehood (their word was meaningless-v 8).”
Psa 144.9-11 is a praise to Yehovah for his coming rescue, “I will sing a new song (“shir chadash” is masculine Hebrew alluding to the meaning “Messiah has come”-see Psa 96.1 notes) to thee, O God (elohim); upon a harp (nevel) of ten strings (the new song is a ten note scale, not the eight note scale we have today) I will sing praises to thee-v 9), who dost give salvation to kings; who dost rescue David his servant from the evil sword (war; of Goliath; of Saul and his enemies, etc-v 10). Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hands of aliens (foreigners); whose mouth speaks deceit, and whose right hand (in an oath) is a right hand of falsehood (their words are meaningless-v 11).”
Psa 144.12-15 is a prayer for Yehovah to defeat the enemy so Israel can grow, “Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants (thriving in young age) and our daughters as corner pillars fashioned for a palace (polished, tall, proportioned with a beautiful appearance, fit perfectly-v 12); our gardens (storehouses) be full, furnishing every kind of produce (good harvest), our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields (there are so many they can’t be corralled but must graze in wide open spaces-v 13); our cattle bear without mishap and without loss (strong and able to bear their burdens), that there is no outcry in our streets (no enemy breaking in to take the people into captivity, or into the storehouses to take the harvest, or into the fields to steal their livestock-v 14). How blessed (empowered to succeed) are the people who are so situated (see v 12-14); how blessed are the people whose God (elohim) is the Lord (Yehovah -the greatest blessing a nation can have is to call Yehovah their God-v 15).”
Psa 145.1-21 has the “Tehilah L’David” or a “Praise of David.” The word “tehilah” is where we get the Hebrew name of this book, “Tehillim.” It is the only psalm in the entire book that is actually called a “praise” or “tehilah.” It was written by David and it sums up the Jewish doctrine about Yehovah. It is an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet, except for the letter “Nun” (life, continue) because understanding the doctrine of Yehovah is fundamental and basic, like the alphabet, and that God brings order to “life” and the universe. This psalm is read on Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur.
Psa 145.1-6 speaks about the greatness of God, and each verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order, “I will extoll (exalt) thee; and I will bless thy name forever and ever (sing of your attributes throughout eternity, or “L’Olam Vaed”- v 1). Everyday I will bless thee (constantly), and I will praise thy name forever and ever( v 2). Great (gadol) is Yehovah and highly to be praised (far greater than any words); and his greatness is unsearchable (beyond investigation-v 3). One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts (which are not a part of the natural order of things-v 4); on the glorious splendor of thy majesty (his divine rule and power), and on thy wonderful works I will meditate (to speak aloud, mutter in low tone-v 5). And men shall speak of the power of thine awesome acts (like the flood, the redemption out of Egypt, the Red Sea, etc); and I will tell of thy greatness (his acts cause believers to speak about them-v 6).”
Psa 145.7-13 speaks about the goodness of God, “They shall eagerly utter the memory (zekor) of thine abundant goodness (announcing it), and shall shout joyfully of thy righteousness (v 7). Yehovah is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness (Exo 34.6-v 8). Yehovah is good to all (of his creatures), and his mercies are over all his works (v 9). All thy works shall give thanks to thee, Yehovah, and thy godly ones (“chasidaycha”-devout followers) shall bless thee (v 10). They (the believers) shall speak of the glory (kivod) of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power (part of the Avenu in Matt 6.13-v 11), to make known to the sons of men thy mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of thy kingdom (a Hebrew parallelism with v 11-v 12). Thy kingdom (God’s rule over us) is an everlasting kingdom (spanning all eternities), and thy kingdom endures throughout all generations (similar to Dan 2.44. The letter “Nun” means “life and there is a missing nun at this point in the acrostic order in the Hebrew Bible, and the word for “fall” (nephilim) in Hebrew in verse 14 begins with a “nun.” This alludes to the fact that Israel will “fall” as in Amos 5.2, but then come back to life-v 13).”
Psa 145.14-21 speaks about God’s love towards those who fear him, “Yehovah sustains all who fall (see v 13) and raises up all who are bowed down (with a heavy burden-Psa 113.7-v 14). The eyes of all (the Lord’s people) look to thee (for support), and thou dost give them their food in due time (as they need it-v 15). Thou dost open thy hand, and thou dost satisfy the desire of every living thing (beyond just mankind-Matt 6.26-30-v 16). Yehovah is righteous in all his ways (and knows what is best for all his creatures), and kind (benevolent) in all his deeds (v 17). Yehovah is near (“karav”, the root for the word “korban” or “offerings” meaning to “draw near) to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth (sincerely-v 18). He will fulfill (give meaning to) the desire of those who fear him (possibly not in the manner they expect ); he will also hear their cry and will save them (Jam 5.16; Matt 21.22; Mark 11.24; 1 John 3.22-v 19). Yehovah keeps (preserves, protects) all who love him (serve him, keep the Torah); but all the wicked he will destroy (because they hurt the ones who love the Lord and he will defend them-v 20). My mouth shall speak the praise of Yehovah (he is determined); and all flesh will bless his holy (has a kedusha) name forever and ever (“L’Olam Vaed” and the third time this phrase is used in this psalm, and it alludes to the triune nature of Yehovah-v 21).”
Psa 146.1-10 is the first of the five final psalms in this book and they have no heading or author named. They are known by some scholars as the “Hallelu Yah Psalms” and they call the believer to praise Yehovah for how he shows us mercy and his power, especially in taking care of the poor and needy. It is read on Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur.
Psa 146.1-7 speaks about the blessings in trusting the Lord and not putting trust in man, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord O my soul (“being”-v 1)! I will praise Yehovah while I live (before its too late-Psa 117.17); I will sing praises to my God while I have my being (exist-v 2). I do not trust in princes (earthly rulers and politicians-Jer 17.5-7), in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation (some will boast in being the “son of Abraham” but that will not save them-John 8.39-v 3). His spirit departs, he returns to the earth (in other words, he can’t even control his own spirit), in that very day his thoughts (plans) perish (v 4). How blessed (empowered for success) is he whose help is the God of Jacob (Yehovah is called this because he promised to be with Jacob in Gen 28.15), whose hope (believes his promises as a sure thing) is in Yehovah his God (v 5); who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them (the creator); who keeps faith (emet or “truth”) forever (the truth is safeguarded-v 6); who executes (does) justice for the oppressed (the exploited-Jer 50.33); who gives food to the hungry. Yehovah sets the prisoners free (takes them from whatever yoke they have upon them-v 7).”
Psa 146.8-10 tells us about the power and love of Yehovah and how he will be praised forever, “Yehovah opens the eyes of the blind (physically and spiritually); Yehovah raises up those who are bowed down (with a heavy burden); Yehovah loves the righteous (even when they are being punished or corrected-v 8). Yehovah protects the strangers (“gerim” or non-Jewish and aliens to the covenant-Eph 2.11-22); he supports the fatherless and the widow (the helpless ones have their needs met); but he thwarts the way of the wicked (turns their plans upside down, impedes them-v 9). Yehovah will reign forever, thy God, O Zion, to all generations (manifest his glory in all the earth-Zech 14.9-v 10).”
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