God’s Love For Mankind

Psalm 144:1-15

A Psalm of David.

“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. “ (Psalm 144:1-2)

David is expressing his thanks to God for everything he has done for him.  Hwe has taught David to plan and given him the skills to gain victory in war.  He has provided him with protection from his enemies and rescued him from situations where he could not do anything for himself.  He has caused the people to submit and follow David willingly, and led him in the best ways, and finally, he has counted David a good man, not imputing his sins to his account. 

“LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!  Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.  Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.  Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.” (Psalm 144:3-6)

What is surprising is that the God who created the universe and everything in it would take notice of an individual person, to care for him and protect him.  After all, he is such an insignificant part of creation, and his life only lasts a few years, leaving little or no imprint behind.  As some have written, a man’s death has little more lasting impact than pulling one’s finger out of a container of water.  The hole fills instantly.

God, on the other hand causes the mountains to break into flame just by touching them.  He can rearrange the stars and planets, and causes the thunder and lightning that can destroy everything it strikes.  Why should God pay any attention to mankind, yet he has intervened on David’s behalf repeatedly.

“Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.” (Psalm 144:7-8)

Though he understands how little he deserves it, David also understands that God Cares, and asks that he would reach down and help him, pulling him out of the swamp and drying him off, delivering him from their enemies who were lying about him and threatening to destroy him. 

“I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.  It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.” (Psalm 144:9-10)

David will sing songs of praise to God using a psaltery and  an instrument with ten strings which might have been a lyre, a harp, or a hammered dulcimer.  The key point is that he would take the trouble to thank God for his blessings, giving his salvation to both kings and common shepherds, and saving David from injury or death by the sword. 

“Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.” (Psalm 144:11-14)

He prays that God would get rid of their enemies who made such wicked claims and constantly threatened so that their children could grow up without fear of attack and have a real childhood.  He prayed that their daughters might be able to dress nicely and enjoy their lives,  He aslso prayed that they would have an abundance of food and supplies to last from season to season, and that the livestock would be healthy and prolific, that the the work animals be strong, so that there  would be no legitimate complaining in the streets. 

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 144:15)

A people who experienced such blessings from God should consider themselves richly blessed, because he is their God and cares about them.  Most people in the world never experience such blessings, and life is an everyday struggle to survive.