Psalm 144 (143):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What do you mean? Is God a master of conflict, discord, and military might? Indeed, one would not err in attributing victory to Him in such matters. This is reflected in the phrase, ‘He that teacheth my hands,’ meaning He imparts the strength to vanquish foes, to prevail, and to establish triumphs. For instance, when David defeated Goliath, it was God who secured the victory; during his numerous battles, when he celebrated triumphs and seized enemy strongholds along with their inhabitants, it was God who facilitated his success. Hence, he proclaimed, ‘The Lord is strong and sturdy, the Lord is mighty in battle’ (Psalm 23:8). Similarly, God manifested His power under Moses in comparable ways.

The title of this psalm may be brief, but it carries profound mysteries. It is attributed to David, depicting his encounter with Goliath—a significant battle from our ancestors’ days that you, dear ones, can recall from the Scriptures. David gathered five stones in his satchel but only needed one to claim victory. Five books were selected, yet the essence of unity triumphed. Struck down and defeated, he utilized the enemy's sword to sever Goliath's head. In a similar manner, our David—the Lord Jesus—defeated the adversary with His own tools. When His mighty followers, empowered by Him, believed, they turned their voices against the devil, leading to Goliath's head being severed by his own weapon.

Blessed be the Lord my God, who instructs my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare—Psalm 143:1. This is our proclamation as the body of Christ. While it may seem repetitious, our hands signify combat, and our fingers denote warfare. Yet there may be distinctions—both hands and fingers engage in action. We often mistake fingers for hands, but the fingers reveal a nuanced unity in purpose. This is grace! The apostle teaches that some are called to this, others to that; diverse actions arise, all energized by the same Spirit—the foundation of unity. With our fingers, the Body of Christ engages in warfare, willingly embracing the fight. Through acts of mercy, our foe is vanquished, and such works emanate from receipt of mercy, which we have gained through the Holy Spirit. He instructs us in combat, and we declare, "My mercy," knowing it is through Him we embody compassion, for judgment without mercy will face those who have not shown mercy—James 2:13.

"My mercy and my refuge, my Preserver and my Deliverer"—Psalm 142:2. This warrior tirelessly labors, confronted by the rebellion of his flesh against his spirit. Hold steadfast to what you possess; you will receive your heart's desires when death is conquered by victory—1 Corinthians 15:54, when this mortal form is transformed into a glorified state, lifted to celestial heights. There exists life and days of peace when nothing opposes the spirit, at which point we are told to rejoice, not to fight. Yet, who among us longs for such days? All would agree, "Yes." Listen further: I see your toil; I recognize your struggle and the perils you face; therefore, heed this: …Forsake evil and do good, ensuring the poor do not weep because of you, so that they may find joy through your actions. What reward is due you now as you engage in battle? Seek peace and pursue it. Learn to proclaim, "My Grace and my Refuge, my Guardian and my Defender." Guard me from falling; may I not be consumed, and protect me from being struck down. Amid these trials, labors, and adversities, I place my trust in Him who exercises dominion over my people. Behold, our Head speaks to us.

"Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him?"—Psalm 142:3. Everything is encompassed in God’s awareness of him. Or who is the son of man that you regard? You attribute great value to him, assigning him significant worth, knowing precisely what you place him under and over. The measure of worth is an assessment of value. Consider how highly He esteemed humanity, giving His only begotten Son for our sake! God's valuation of man differs from human assessments: while a person may pay more for a horse than a man at a sale, God's valuation is unfathomably higher. How much must He cherish you if you declare, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” How greatly does He cherish you who did not withhold His Son? Will He not with Him graciously grant us all things?—Romans 8:31-32. Who provides sustenance to the warrior—what does He reserve for the victorious?

"Man is like a breath; his days fade away like a shadow"—Psalm 142:4. What signifies vanity? It encapsulates time that passes and shifts. This vanity is recognized in contrast to the unchanging Truth, which endures eternally: God’s handiwork is manifested in its magnificence, as it is declared, "God has filled the earth with His goodness"—Sirach 16:29. What does it matter to Him? It is an alignment with Him. Yet everything earthly, fleeting, and transient pales against that eternal Truth which states, "I AM WHO I AM"—Exodus 3:14, with transitory wonders fading like whispers in the wind. Why prolong the thoughts beyond what the apostle James conveyed to humble the proud: "What is your life?" It is a vapor that appears briefly and vanishes—James 4:14. Thus, by night, labor with your hands—accomplish good deeds; cry out to God before the joyous day arrives, or the sorrowful day comes upon you. Behold the safety in your endeavors, as you are not forsaken by the One you earnestly seek, so that your Father who sees what is secret may reward you openly—Matthew 6:4.

"O Lord, bow down Thy heavens, and come down; touch the mountains, and make them smoke"—Psalm 143:5. Send forth Thy lightening, and scatter them; let Thy arrows fly, and they shall retreat—Psalm 143:6. Reach down from above and rescue me; bring me forth from the depths of many waters—Psalm 143:7. The Body of Christ, humble David, full of grace, dependent on God, strives within this worldly existence and calls upon divine aid. What does it mean for the heavens to bow down? The apostles humbled themselves. The heavens proclaim the glory of God; among these heavens, it is declared, "There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard," etc. When these heavens spoke across the earth with miracles while the Lord shone forth through them with wonders, many in the Gentile world wrongly believed that gods descended amongst humanity, leading some to desire to offer sacrifices to them. Yet they offered to the Lord Jesus Christ, humbling themselves to exalt God, as the heavens bowed so God might descend. Touch the mountains and they ascend in smoke, for until touched, they hold themselves in high esteem, yet must proclaim, "Thou art great, O Lord; Thou alone art the Most High over all the earth."

But some gather in conspiracy, plotting against the Lord and His Anointed. They unite in schemes; send forth Thy lightnings, and they shall scatter; multiply Thy signs and their designs will falter. Let Thy arrows be unleashed, and they will be crushed. Let the sick be wounded to restore health, and let them proclaim with the Church, in the Body of Christ, "I am wounded by Love." Stretch forth Your hand from on high. How then shall the Body of Christ triumph? With divine assistance. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God—1 Thessalonians 4:16, Himself the Savior of the body, the Hand of God. What do we mean by "Out of many waters"? From various nations. Which nations? Those who are foreign, unbelievers assailing us from outside or ensnaring us from within. Rescue me, O God, from the many waters, those depths of affliction in which You have immersed me, in which I have been tossed, to cleanse me of my impurities. These are the waters of contradiction—Numbers 20:13, by the hands of the wicked. Hear me, brothers, amidst whom we dwell, from whom we desire liberation, whose lips spout vanity—Psalm 142:8. Were you not gathered here today for these sacred revelations of God's word? Were you not preoccupied with them in this hour, how much vanity would fill your ears? Their mouths declare emptiness. When will those who utter such vanity hear you, who speak with truth? Their right hand carries iniquity. What place do you hold among them, with your shepherd's pouch bearing the five stones? Let us consider this in another way: the same Law signified by the five stones also conveys another meaning.

"I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God"—Psalm 143:9. A new song of grace; a new song from a new creation; a new song from the New Covenant. But let it not be believed that grace departs from the Law, for when grace fulfills the Law, I shall sing to Thee on a ten-stringed harp. According to the Ten Commandments, I can rejoice, for love is the fulfillment of the Law —Romans 13:10. Yet those who lack love may hold a book of psalms but cannot truly sing, for contradiction silences not my melodies.

"He who grants salvation to kings, who rescues David, His servant"—Psalm 143:10. You know who David is; become David yourself. From where does He deliver David, His servant? From what does He redeem Christ? From where does He redeem the Body of Christ? From the sword of malice, rescue me. A mere sword is not sufficient; thus, He emphasizes "malice." Indeed, there exists a sword of righteous intentions. What constitutes the sword of righteous intentions? The very one about which the Lord proclaims, "I came not to bring peace on earth, but a sword"—Matthew 10:34, as He intended to create divisions between believers and unbelievers, to sever relationships, distinguishing between kin. The sword, like a blade that removes the unfit, instead brings healing to the members of Christ. This sword of righteous intentions has two sharp edges, potent from both the Old and New Testaments, presenting narratives of our past and promises of our futures. Thus, there stands the sword of righteous intentions alongside the sword of malice, which utters vanity. It is truth that speaks this sword, for certainly, the children of men bear sharp tongues as spears and arrows. "From this sword, rescue me"—Psalm 142:11. And extricate me from the hand of the wicked, whose mouths propagate falsehood, just as before. Their right hand represents iniquity, previously articulated in reference to the many waters. To prevent any misunderstanding that the many waters refer to wholesome rivers, He elucidates them as the sword of wickedness.

"Whose children are like a newly planted vine in its youth"—Psalm 142:12. He intends to express their well-being. Take heed, you sons of light, you belonging to this worldly existence; you members of the Church, who are parts of Christ; be cautious of those he identifies as strangers and as the offspring of strangers, likening them to the waters of contradiction and the sword of malice. Pay attention, I implore you, for within them lies your peril; amid their tongues, you wrestle against your fleshly desires, influenced by their words in the hands of the adversary—Ephesians 6:12. What vanity issues forth from their lips? What constitutes their right hand of iniquity? Their daughters are attired and adorned as a temple—Psalm 143:13, their granaries overflowing, transitioning from abundance to more abundance; their flocks thrive; their oxen are well-fed; their fences remain intact, and all paths remain unbroken, void of clamor in their streets—Psalm 142:14. Is this not desirable? I inquire for the true heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, the progeny of eternal resurrection, the Body of Christ, the members of Christ, and the Temple of God. What joy lies in the security of worthy sons, in the beauty of daughters, in enriched storerooms, ample livestock, and the absence of chaos in the streets—only peace, bounty, and prosperity within their homes and towns? Is this not bliss? Can the righteous avoid such prosperity? Do you not observe the righteousness surrounded by such grace and fulfillment? Did not Abraham's household overflow with gold, silver, children, servants, and livestock? What do we conclude? Is this not happiness? Yet, let it be noted, this is still but the left hand. What signifies "the left"? The transient, the mortal, the earthly. I do not wish for you to renounce these, but simply to recognize they cannot occupy the right side.

What then ought to rest on the right side? God, eternity, the everlasting years of the Almighty, of which it is said, "Thy years shall not come to an end." There exists a right hand; we must long for that. Let us engage the left in time, but pursue the fight for eternity. When riches abound, do not set your heart upon them.

David spoke to Goliath, proclaiming, "Blessed be the Lord my God." This introduction reveals profound joy. Train my hands for battle; the term "hands" signifies the deeds accomplished in righteousness, through which we shall triumph over Satan.

For those unfamiliar with Latin, while we have extensively discussed the Gospel, it is also necessary to mention the Psalms to ensure that no one is left spiritually hungry or overly full. Given the length of the Psalm, discussing each verse in detail would take an entire day; therefore, we must summarize them with greater understanding than mere words. “Blessed be the Lord my God, who teaches my hands for war” (Psalms 143:1). Thus, the one who offers a brief interpretation does not receive accolades themselves, but rather those who listen and absorb the message. “Blessed be the Lord our God, who has prepared my hands for battle, and my fingers for war.” Let us raise our hands in sacred pursuits, free of distraction or contention (see 1 Tim. 2:8). We should do this everywhere we go.

‘To David.’ Some sources I have encountered in the superscription include the phrase ‘to Goliath.’ However, I do not find this in the Hebrew text, nor among other translators, nor in the Seventy in the Exemplars. The essence of the psalm conveys that upon the return of the Jews from Babylon, various nations would rise against them. Numerous prophets have pointed to this event, though the prophet Ezekiel elaborates on it more than others. He states amid various declarations: ‘From the days of the greatest number of days you shall be prepared, and you shall come to the land that is brought down by the sword, gathered from many tongues, to the land of Jerusalem, which is empty. And these shall depart from the tongue, and all shall dwell in peace.

The psalm attributed to David concerning Goliath presents a powerful message. Some texts omit the phrase "to Goliath," yet its inclusion in the title does not contradict its significance; this Psalm was crafted by David following numerous victories that he attributed to God's grace. The metaphorical Goliath serves as a representation of the universal adversary of humanity—the devil.

If it is accurate that all misfortunes come upon us by the divine will, why should we resist His sacred purpose? Why do we seek medical treatment for ailments, rally armed forces against invaders, and not surrender our strongholds or invite destruction into our homeland? Why do we not emulate the esteemed Archbishop Lupp, who welcomed Attila with the phrase, “Greetings to you, Attila, scourge of God”? I respond to those who ponder this with the words of the Apostle Paul: “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). In the spirit of such sobriety, let us strive to clarify our confusions and perceived contradictions.

The Almighty, as noted by St. Philaret, refers to Himself as both the God of peace and the 'Lord of Hosts.' He equips His devoted servants, teaching their hands for warfare and their fingers for combat. Was it not Abraham, the exemplar of humble faith, who engaged in battle to defend his relatives and aid the kings of his allies? Was the Promised Land not obtained by God's people through warfare, as commanded by the Lord? Did not the heavenly messenger transform Gideon’s threshing-floor into a site of military preparation, empowering him for triumph against the Midianites?

A Psalm dedicated to David, concerning Goliath. In this Psalm, the Prophet expresses gratitude to God for the triumph achieved over Goliath, as indicated by the title. Furthermore, it underscores that those who sin remain discontent even amid prosperity, while the righteous are perpetually favored. Blessed be the Lord my God, who instructs my hands for warfare, and my fingers for combat. The prophet extols God, acknowledging that through His unique mercy, the giant was vanquished, which is the source of his glory. Blessed be the Lord my God, who instructs my hands for warfare. He does not claim that they were strengthened but rather taught; for this type of warfare he refers to relies more on skill than mere might.

This psalm is attributed to David, as indicated in its title, highlighting its similarity to other psalms associated with him, particularly Psalm 17. The phrase ‘to Goliath,’ present only in the Greek translations and the Vulgate, appears to be a later addition. While this psalm draws inspiration from Psalm 17, its overall message does not strictly reflect David's triumph over Goliath. At the time of its composition, David had already secured victory, and his people were under his authority. The Lord had performed mighty works for him; however, he faced significant threats from neighboring nations, for which he seeks divine assistance. This psalm likely originates from the events described in 2 Samuel 5 and 8.

Psalm attributed to David regarding Goliath. In some versions, as noted by Blessed Theodoret, there is an inclusion of Goliath in the heading. However, this reference does not appear in the Hebrew text, nor among other translations or in the Septuagint. The essence of this psalm reveals that after the exile in Babylon, many nations would rise in opposition to the Jewish people, a theme expressed by several prophets, most prominently conveyed through divine inspiration. As noted in Ezekiel 38:8, 9, 21, and 22, this psalm also alludes to that future conflict, as seen in Psalms 143:5 and 6. In the Russian Psalter, it is titled ‘David. (Against Goliath).’

The Psalm, imparted to David by the Holy Spirit, serves as a profound expression of gratitude to the Almighty. In His name, David confronted Goliath and triumphed, symbolizing the victory of Christ the Lord, who is mighty in battle, over the Goliath of Hell, as well as for all believers who strive through righteous actions against both visible and invisible foes. Blessed be the Lord God; may God be exalted and honored! Blessed is Christ our God... Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! The faithful engage in the struggle against evil, with the righteous arm performing acts of justice, and the fingers equipped to combat demons, finding refuge in the Holy Cross. Let us master the discipline of confronting sin, our most wicked and formidable adversary.