Psalm 144 was likely written just before a battle that David was facing. And it’s interesting to me that he begins it with praise.
Most times when we face a difficult battle or situation, we usually start by asking for help. But David starts by singing,
Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle. (Psalm 144:1)
It kind of reminds me of the battle Jehoshaphat fought in which he didn’t put the soldiers at the front of the line. Rather, he put the singers out at front, singing,
Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever. (2 Chronicles 20:21)
But here in this psalm, we see David acknowledging his reliance on God’s help in battle. And he looks not to his own shield or army for his protection, but rather God, singing,
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me. (Psalm 144:2)
He then picks up on a theme from Psalm 8, wondering that God would care for him.
With that in mind, he prays that God would intervene in this battle, and deliver him from his enemies, so that his children and his people would be safe and prosperous.
Having prayed all this, he concludes this psalm by singing,
Blessed are the people of whom this is true;
blessed are the people whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144:15)
What battlefields are you heading into today? It might be at work. It might be at school. It might even be at home.
Remember to start your day not with your worries or your concerns, but rather with praise. Rest in the knowledge that God cares about you and then ask for his help.
If there’s discord around you, pray for God’s peace to exude from you and through you.
And pray that the battle you’re facing would somehow turn into great blessing for all involved, even for those whom you may consider your enemy.
After all, people are not our enemies. They are souls for whom Christ died.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 