< Psalms 144 >
1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.
3 LORD, what is man, that you take knowledge of him! or the son of man, that you make account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passes away.
5 Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out your arrows, and destroy them.
7 Send your hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;
8 Whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God: on a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises to you.
10 It is he that gives salvation to kings: who delivers David his servant from the hurtful sword.
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
14 That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yes, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.