Psalm 144:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners,

NIV: Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners

NASB: Reach out with Your hand from on high; Rescue me and save me from great waters, From the hand of foreigners

CSB: Reach down from on high; rescue me from deep water, and set me free from the grasp of foreigners

NLT: Reach down from heaven and rescue me; rescue me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies.

KJV: Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

NKJV: Stretch out Your hand from above; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, From the hand of foreigners,

Psalm 144:5–11 reflects on Israel's history, when the Lord descended at Sinai in a dramatic display of power and glory. David asks the Lord to use lightning to scatter his enemies. He also vows to praise the Lord with singing and music for making him victorious over his enemies.

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.

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.

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.

Accessed 4/16/2025 3:17:29 PM