What does Psalm 144:3 mean?
ESV: O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?
NIV: Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
NASB: Lord, what is man, that You look after him? Or a son of man, that You think of him?
CSB: Lord, what is a human that you care for him, a son of man that you think of him?
NLT: O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?
KJV: Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
NKJV: Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
Verse Commentary:
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 144; verse-level content coming soon!
Verse Context:
Psalm 144:1–4 praises the Lord for preparing David for battle, for protecting him, and for subduing people under him. In contrast to Lord's loving, mighty character, David portrays man as finite. It is amazing that the Lord cares for men, whose lives are short and fragile.
Chapter Summary:
David begins by praising the Lord for ability, protection, and success in battle. This is amazing because humanity is so frail and temporary compared to God. Still, David asks for the Lord's intervention. Enemy nations and those who make false promises plague David. Yet he confidently plans to praise the Lord for the anticipated victory. The song ends with a prayer for the nation of Israel to experience prosperity. This is expected when the king is preserved, and such blessings are part of being God's chosen people.
Chapter Context:
Psalm 18 contains many of the same ideas and phrases as this song. There (Psalm 18:50), as here (Psalm 144:10), David also refers to himself by name. The psalm may be connected to David's defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51), his ascension to the throne (2 Samuel 2:4; 5:3), or one of his many combat victories (1 Samuel 18:5, 14). The right hand would have been raised to make an oath; those whose right hands lie are making false vows.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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