Finding Yourself in the Psalms

Psalm 144

A Psalm for God’s Protection

Your peace of mind is a reflection on your theology.

Illus – child scared in the middle of the night. What calms their fears? Mommie’s presence. David reflects back on God’s protection.

I. Praise for God’s Protection. Psalm 144:1-2
David’s theology caused him to be secure. A. God is my ROCK.
1. Strength. Unmovable. Refuge

2. 1 Samuel 2:2 (NIV) 2 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no

Rock like our God.”

3. Chevrolet advertisement – “Like a rock”

4. Psalm 46:1 (NIV) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

5. David attributes the VICTORIES in battle to the LORD.
B. God is my FORTRESS.
Agrees with MOSES. Psalm 91:1-2 “my refuge and my fortress”
C. God is my STRONGHOLD.
1. Similar to fortress. “ an inaccessible, secure place possibly up high in rim-rock where one may dwell or reside, with a focus on safety and security of the area 1

2. Isa 33:15-16 “He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil— 16 this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him”

D. God is my DELIVERER.
Rescue me from danger. Used 3x in Psalm 18 (18:3, 44, 49)
E. God is my SHIELD. “small shield, i.e., a defensive weapon that protects from
attack, made of a frame with leather cover”2
In the HEBREW TEXT, four descriptions are word for word, no words inbetween. STRONG EMPHASIS!
II. Prayer for God’s Deliverance. 144:3-11
A. David’s focus is the BATTLE.
B. Comparison of GOD’s ability with MAN’s weakness (3-4) C. V. 7-8 parallels v. 11

1

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.)

(HGK5369). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic e d.)

(HGK4482). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

D. David promises to give praise to God
1. “10 stringed lyre”
2. Too few strings for a harp! This was a guitar!
III. Promise of God’s Blessing. 144:12-15
A. Psalm closes with 5 blessings
1. Sons
2. Daughters
3. Barns
4. Sheep
5. Oxen
B. These were all signs of God’s blessing!