A prayer for God to deliver his people from all foreign oppression.
Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-4
st. 2 = vv. 5-8
st. 3 = vv. 9-11
st. 4 = vv. 12-15
Psalm 144 appears to be a composite. Because verses 1 through 10 clearly echo Psalm 18 (see also 2 Sam. 22), it seems that a prayer of David has been augmented for post-exilic Israel. (Note also the similarities between v. 3 and Ps. 8:4 and between v. 4 and Ps. 39:5, 11.) In the first part (w. 1-10) the psalmist praises the LORD for sustaining him (st. 1), appeals to God to burst forth from heaven in earthshaking power to deliver him from the treachery of his enemies (st. 2), and vows to praise the LORD for giving the victory (st. 3). Adding to this prayer, post-exilic Israel includes a vision of the blessedness God's people will enjoy when the redemption of David's kingdom is complete (st. 4). Helen Otte (PHH 17) versified this psalm in 1985 for the Psalter Hymnal.
Liturgical Use:
Easter; Ascension; whenever the church reflects on the final triumph of Christ's kingdom; whenever the church needs encouragement to persevere in the Christian pilgrimage.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
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