Psalm 144

What’s Happening?

Psalm 144 calls on God to fight an impossible battle against Israel’s enemies. It echoes and condenses Psalm 18—David’s triumphant song of praise after defeating a wicked nation and their wicked gods (2 Samuel 22). David led a vastly outmatched army, yet won against all odds. They won because God himself fought for Israel. In Psalm 144, a new generation picks up David’s song. After Israel’s exile and return, they are still besieged by enemy nations. So they sing David’s old song as a new prayer for deliverance.

They begin where David began—naming God as their only hope (Psalm 144:1a). Victory in an unwinnable battle comes only because God fights for them (Psalm 144:1b). Safety comes only because God shelters them like a fortress (Psalm 144:2). Rather than trusting in their own might, Israel confesses their need and weakness. They are mere humans, as fleeting as smoke (Psalm 144:4). Yet the God of the universe has taken up their cause (Psalm 144:3).

So Israel cries out for God to part the heavens and descend to earth. They ask God to fight their spiritual and earthly enemies from the mountains, just as he fought them for David (Psalm 144:5). They ask him to use lightning to scatter their oppressors (Psalm 144:6). They ask God to lift them out of the chaos of nations who threaten to swallow them like raging waters (Psalm 144:7). God has control over the highest heavens and lowest depths. So nothing can stop him from rescuing his people. He did it for David, and he can do it again (Psalm 144:10).

David’s enemies boasted in their own might, discrediting God’s power to rescue (1 Samuel 17:42-45). Similarly, Israel’s foes now spout mocking lies about God (Psalm 144:8, 11b). So Israel asks God to silence their enemies by showing that he is greater than wicked nations and wicked gods. In defiance of their lies, Israel prepares to sing a new song of deliverance (Psalm 144:9). Remembering how God vindicated his name by fighting for David, Israel celebrates that God will show his power and rescue them as well (Psalm 144:10-11).

Finally, Israel declares that God will not only rescue them from their enemies, but bring them life and flourishing. Their children will thrive like fertile gardens and well-built homes (Psalm 144:12). Their barns and fields will overflow with crops and livestock (Psalm 144:13). And the wealth of this land will be so protected by God that no enemy will plunder it again (Psalm 144:14). No matter the odds, God can defeat any enemy and bring flourishing to those who belong to him (Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 144:15).

Where is the Gospel?

God answered Israel’s prayer by scattering their enemies and protecting them as they returned from exile (Nehemiah 6:15-16). Yet, the wicked gods behind these wicked nations took new forms, rising again to oppose and oppress Israel. But God descended again on the mountain to show his power and restore his people.

God came to rescue his people in the person of Jesus. As his ministry began, heaven itself opened to show that God had come to his people. Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan and, filled with God’s Spirit, went to war against the forces of wickedness (Luke 3:21-22, 4:1-2).

Israel had prayed for God to descend from the skies, touch the mountains, and win victory over their enemies. And on the mountain of transfiguration, Jesus revealed that he is the God they prayed for. On the mountaintop, he was transfigured in glory, his clothes flashed with the brightness of lightning (Luke 9:28-31). Coming down from the mountain, Jesus found his disciples unable to drive out a demon. But Jesus, the God who delivers his people, cast out enemy powers and brought flourishing in place of chaos (Luke 9:37-43). 

Ultimately, Jesus defeats the darkest power that oppressed humanity: death itself. When spiritual forces stirred up the rulers of the world, Satan inspired a disciple to hand Jesus over to death (Luke 22:3). Jesus’ enemies spouted lies about him and mocked him even as he died (Luke 23:35-39). Yet Jesus rose from the grave, disarming death and putting the mockers to shame (1 Corinthians 15:55; Colossians 2:15).

Jesus then ascended into heaven to reign from the highest throne and bring flourishing to his people (Ephesians 1:21). Every power—spiritual and earthly—is placed beneath his feet (Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27). And from that throne, he invites all people to abandon the defeated powers and live under his eternal reign (Matthew 28:19-20).

All who come under Jesus’ reign receive the flourishing life envisioned in Psalm 144. Our lives begin to reflect the peace and abundance God promised his people (John 10:10). As children of God, we grow and become like Jesus as we remain in him (John 1:12, 15:5). We are built up into God’s house and enjoy the bounty of his life (1 Corinthians 3:16). And one day, Jesus will return to finish the fight. He will drive out all wickedness, silence every lie, and bring us into the land of blessing—where we will flourish with him forever (Revelation 21:4).

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who outmatches all enemies and powers. And may you see Jesus as the one who disarms death, frees us from evil powers, and brings us into a land where we will flourish forever.

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