The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 5 · Psalm 144
PSALM CXLIV.
A Pſalm of David.
ARGUMENT.
The Inſcription will not let us doubt, that David was the Authour of this Pſalm: but that it was a Triumph after his victory over Goliath (as the vulgar Latine hath it) is aſſerted without ground. For though ſome Greek Copies have ſuch an addition to the Inſcription; yet Theodoret ſays, that as he could find it in the Hebrew, ſo it was not to be met withall in any other Interpreters; no not in the LXX. in the Hexaplus. And it plainly appears by the ſecond Verſe that it was compoſed after he came to the Kingdome: and not then, till he had got ſome victories over thoſe that oppoſed him. Nay, there are ſo many expreſſions here, like to thoſe we meet withall in the XVIII. Pſalm; that it hath inclined ſome to think, it was made at the ſame time, and for the ſame purpoſe with that: of which it looks like a compendium, and might be intended for a ſhort form of thanksgiving, for his deliverance from all his Enemies. But if the expreſſions be carefully examined, their opinion will appear to be truer, who think it was compoſed, not after God had given him reſt from all his Enemies; but after thoſe two victories over the Philiſtines, mentioned 2 Sam. V. if not before them: For as he ſtill mentions more oppoſers, who were unſubdued, v. 7, 11; ſo he doth not ſay, as in the XVIII. Pſalm, that God had caſt forth lightnings, and ſhot his arrows againſt them, &c. but deſires Him here (v. 5, 6.) that He would appear in that manner for him: acknowledging that not onelyonly his Kingdome, but his Courage, his Victories, and Succeſſes were all to be aſcribed unto God.
1. BLeſſed be the LORD my ſtrength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.
1. PRaiſed be the Lord, by me and by all men elſe; by whom I have been kept in ſafety, as in an impregnable fortreſs: and who hath given me both ſtrength and skill to handle my Arms; whenſoever I ingaged, either in ſingle combate or in battles.
2. My goodneſs and my fortreſs, my high tower, and my deliverer, my ſhield, and he in whom I truſt, who ſubdueth my under me.
2. I ever found Him very mercifull unto me, when I was in any danger; for He ſtill preſerved me as in a ſtrong hold; nay ſet me out of the reach of the moſt potent Enemies; either making a way for my eſcape when they ſurrounded me, or protecting me in their moſt furious aſſaults upon me: and as I repoſed a conſtant truſt in Him, ſo He hath never failed my expectation; but after long conteſts, made all Iſrael ſubmit themſelves unto my Empire, 2 Sam. V. 1, &c.
3. LORD, what is man, that thou takeſt knowledge of him? or the ſon of man, that thou makeſt account of him?
3. I am aſtoniſhed, O Lord, at this thy wonderfull Goodneſs; and know not what to ſay, but onelyonly admire that Thou ſhouldſt take ſuch care of ſo poor a thing as man is, at the beſt: eſpecially of me, a miſerable wretch: whom Thou haſt honoured with moſt glorious Succeſſes.
4. Man is like to vanity: his days are as a ſhadow that paſſeth away.
4. Man, alas! is but a breath, which preſently vaniſhes: what a marvel is it then, that I ſhould have ſtrength to atchieve ſuch things? his life is exceeding ſhort and uncertain; and yet, ſuch is thy ſtupendious Goodneſs, I am not onelyonly alive, notwithſtanding all the hazzards through which I have run; but in a little time have performed ſuch memorable acts, that the ſame of them will laſt for ever.
5. Bow they heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they ſhall ſmoke.
5. Proceed, O Lord, to perfect my conqueſt, and now that new Enemies are combined againſt me, (2 Sam. VIII.) let thy Majeſty appear as it hath done formerly (ſee Pſal. XVIII. 9.) for my aſſiſtance and defence: and as ſoon as the proudeſt oppoſers feel that Thou art preſent, they will vaniſh away like ſmoak.
6. Caſt forth lightning and ſcatter them: ſhoot out thine arrows and deſtroy them.
6. Let them be diſperſed by flaſhes of Lightning in their faces: and ſo terrified with Thunder and Hail, that they may not be able to recollect their Forces.
7. Send thine hand from above, rid me, and deliver me out of great waters: from the hand of ſtrange children,
7. Send powerfull aid unto me from Heaven (XVIII. Pſal. 16.) for I rely upon nothing on Earth: relieve me in all my ſtraits; and deliver me out of theſe great and manifold dangers, wherewith I am threatned, by a forreign power of Idolatrous people, which now invade me:
8. Whoſe mouth ſpeaketh vanity: and their right hand is a right hand of falſhood.
8. Who, as they have been wont to brag of more then they doe, ſo promiſe more then they will ever perform: For whatſoever treaties of peace and leagues of friendſhip I make with them, they break them all; and falſify ſo ſhamefully both their words and their oaths, that there is no truſt to be given to them, (v. 11.)
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.
9. I will never prove ungratefull to Thee, for ſo great a benefit: but here ſolemnly vow to compoſe, with my beſt skill, new Hymns of thanks unto Thee, O God; and with the uſual inſtruments of Muſick ſing thy Praiſes, ſaying;
10. It is he that giveth ſalvation to kings, who delivereth David his ſervant from the hurtfull ſword.
10. It is not merely by the conduct, and valour of our Captains and Souldiers that we have overcome; but the moſt powerfull Kings owe their ſafety, and their victories unto the Lord: To whom I am more particularly bound; firſt for the high honour He hath done me, in making me his Miniſter; and now for this deliverance form theſe mighty Armies, which threaten my deſtruction, 2 Sam. VIII.
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 falſhood.
11. Grant my renewed requeſts therefore, I beſeech Thee (v. 7, 8.) and ſend me ſeaſonable relief and deliverance from this forreign invaſion of an Idolatrous people: who have no faith nor honeſty; but ſhamefully falſify both their words and their oaths; and when they ſhake hands with others, as if they were their Friends, intend thereby to deceive them.
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:
12. Let not our Country be overrun by ſuch barbarians; but be ſo preſerved by Thee in peace and tranquillity, that our hopefull Sons may grow up like young flouriſhing Trees, till they attain their full ſtrength and ſtature; and our Daughters be tall and beautifull, like thoſe poliſhed Pillars, which are the ornaments of a royal 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.
13. Our Granaries alſo and Store-houſes being as full as they can hold, may afford us all ſorts of Proviſion from year to year: and our flocks of Sheep bring forth thouſands; which may multiply into ten thouſands, in their walks.
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.
14. Our Cows alſo, being great with young, may neither be driven away by the irruption of our Enemies; nor caſt their Calves at home: but we may be free from this, and all other cauſes of crying, or complaining in our ſtreets.
15. Happy is that, that is in ſuch a caſe: yea, happy is that people, whoſe God is the LORD.
15. Happy is that Nation, which is ſetled in ſuch a proſperous condition! That is, happy is that Nation, which truly worſhips the great Lord of the World; who hath promiſed (Deut. XXVIII.) to bleſs his faithfull ſervants, with theſe, and all other, fruits of his love.