9 O God, let me sing a new song to you, let me play it on a twelve-string guitar - 10 A song to the God who saved the king, the God who rescued David, his servant. 11 Rescue me from the enemy sword, release me from the grip of those barbarians Who lie through their teeth, who shake your hand then knife you in the back. 12 Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers. 13 Fill our barns with great harvest, fill our fields with huge flocks; 14 Protect us from invasion and exile - eliminate the crime in our streets. 15 How blessed the people who have all this! How blessed the people who have God for God!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 144:9-15
Commentary on Psalm 144:9-15
(Read Psalm 144:9-15)
Fresh favours call for fresh returns of thanks; we must praise God for the mercies we hope for by his promise, as well as those we have received by his providence. To be saved from the hurtful sword, or from wasting sickness, without deliverance from the dominion of sin and the wrath to come, is but a small advantage. The public prosperity David desired for his people, is stated. It adds much to the comfort and happiness of parents in this world, to see their children likely to do well. To see them as plants, not as weeds, not as thorns; to see them as plants growing, not withered and blasted; to see them likely to bring forth fruit unto God in their day; to see them in their youth growing strong in the Spirit. Plenty is to be desired, that we may be thankful to God, generous to our friends, and charitable to the poor; otherwise, what profit is it to have our garners full? Also, uninterrupted peace. War brings abundance of mischiefs, whether it be to attack others or to defend ourselves. And in proportion as we do not adhere to the worship and service of God, we cease to be a happy people. The subjects of the Saviour, the Son of David, share the blessings of his authority and victories, and are happy because they have the Lord for their God.