3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
3 O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?
3 I wonder why you care, God - why do you bother with us at all?
3 Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
3 O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 144:3
Commentary on Psalm 144:1-8
(Read Psalm 144:1-8)
When men become eminent for things as to which they have had few advantages, they should be more deeply sensible that God has been their Teacher. Happy those to whom the Lord gives that noblest victory, conquest and dominion over their own spirits. A prayer for further mercy is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy. There was a special power of God, inclining the people of Israel to be subject to David; it was typical of the bringing souls into subjection to the Lord Jesus. Man's days have little substance, considering how many thoughts and cares of a never-dying soul are employed about a poor dying body. Man's life is as a shadow that passes away. In their highest earthly exaltation, believers will recollect how mean, sinful, and vile they are in themselves; thus they will be preserved from self-importance and presumption. God's time to help his people is, when they are sinking, and all other helps fail.