Blessed be the LORD my strength, who teacheth my hands to war. David asks God to rescue him and describes a blessed nation whose sons are like plants and whose barns are full. Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.
1 A Psalm of David . Blessed be the LORD my strength , which teacheth 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 subdueth my people under me.
3 LORD , what is man , that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man , that thou makest account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity : his days are as a shadow that passeth away .
5 Bow thy heavens , O LORD , and come down : touch the mountains , and they shall smoke .
6 Cast forth lightning , and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows , and destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above ; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters , from the hand of strange children ;
8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity , and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood .
9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God : upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings : who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword .
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children , whose mouth speaketh 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 labour ; 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 : yea, happy is that people , whose God is the LORD .