Psalm 144

Psalm 144:1b, 2, 9-10

#313 Weekday Year II Context (Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time)

#482 Weekday Year II Context (Thursday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time)

#502 Weekday Year II Context (Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time)

R. (1) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

My refuge and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
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Commentary on Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10

Psalm 144, taken in its entirety, is difficult to classify as it opens with a lament. However, seen in the strophes given in this passage, it concludes in thanksgiving (v. 9-10).  In these strophes, we find that David’s faith provides the courage needed to be victorious in battle. The Lord’s support is celebrated with song, as God provides the victory over his foes. It also carries with it the martial theme of heavenly conflict, seen in St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 6:10ff, and in Jesus' vision of the impending passion in Jerusalem from St. Luke’s Gospel (Luke 13:31ff).

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Psalm 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4

#453 Weekday Year II Context (Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time)

R. (1) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
my mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

LORD, what is man, that you notice him;
the son of man, that you take thought of him?
Man is like a breath;
his days, like a passing shadow.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
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Commentary on Ps 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4

Psalm 144, taken in its entirety, is difficult to classify. It opens with a lament, however, in the strophes in this selection, it concludes in thanksgiving (v. 12-15). Supporting the theme of the powerlessness of mankind and human frailty, these first verses present a plea, in humility, to an all-powerful creator.

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Fin