Psalms 144:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

PSALM 144 THE ARGUMENT The matter of this Psalm is partly gratulatory for mercies received, and partly petitionary for further blessings. It seems to have been composed after Saul's death, and in the beginning of David's reign, when he was exposed to many perils, both from his own rebellions subjects, and from the Philistines and other foreign enemies, yet so that lie had a good prospect and assurance of a more complete and established felicity. David, blesseth God for his mercy to him in his wars and government, confesseth his own and man's nothingness, Psalms 144:1-4; prayeth that he would deliver him from his powerful enemies, Psalms 144:5-8, and promiseth to praise him, Psalms 144:9-11. The happiness of that kingdom whose God is the Lord, Psalms 144:12-15. Who has given me that skill in military conduct, and that dexterity in the management of my weapons, which was wholly unsuitable to and much above my education and former course of life.