Chapter One Hundred Forty-Four

According to the inscriptions of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin Bibles the psalm belongs to David. The time and occasion of its writing are unknown. It is possible only to conjecture on the basis of its grateful and laudatory content that it was written on the occasion of great mercies shown to him during the time of his life.

The psalm is alphabetical; only one verse, or rather one couplet is missing (the letter “nun” is omitted), which is supplied in the Vulgate and in the LXX as a supplement to verse 13.

I will praise and exalt the name of the Lord every day for His greatness, deeds, and might (1–7). The Lord is merciful and compassionate, His kingdom is eternal (8–14). The Lord sustains all the falling, according to His good pleasure feeds each one, is near to all who call upon Him, preserves those who love Him, and will destroy the wicked. Let all flesh bless the Lord. (15–21).

Psalm 144:1. I will exalt You, my God, my King, and bless Your name forever and ever. “Bless Your name forever and ever” – always, eternally. David praised the Lord throughout his entire life, and his psalms, having become the property of the Church, sound forth in her constantly and now, and will be heard all the time as long as the Church exists, that is, eternally.

Psalm 144:7. They shall declare the memory of Your great goodness and sing of Your righteousness. “Declare the memory... of Your goodness” – to proclaim, continually speak of those miraculous deeds of the Lord in which His goodness toward David and all living things was manifested.

Psalm 144:15. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season; Psalm 144:16. You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor. The mentioned verses form a prayer before a meal. “You give them their food in due season” – at the proper time, all living things receive from You what is necessary for the support of their existence. – “You satisfy every living thing with favor” – this satisfaction is the work of Your mercy toward what exists.