Psalms 144:1

KJV1611 – Modern English

Blessed be the LORD my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ בָּ֘ר֤וּךְ יְהוָ֨ה ׀ צוּרִ֗י הַֽמְלַמֵּ֣ד יָדַ֣י לַקְרָ֑ב אֶ֝צְבְּעוֹתַ֗י לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃

Transliteration

Of Dāwid ׀ Bārûk YHWH ׀ my ṣûrî, the hamlammēd my yāday for laqrāb, my ʾeṣbəʿôtay for lammilḥāmâ.

Grammar Details

• *lĕdāwid*: preposition + proper noun - belonging to/of David
• *bārûk*: passive participle, masculine singular - blessed
• *YHWH*: divine name - Yahweh/the LORD
• *ṣûrî*: noun + 1st person singular suffix - my rock
• *hamlammēd*: definite article + Piel participle, masculine singular - the one teaching
• *yāday*: noun dual + 1st person singular suffix - my hands
• *laqrāb*: preposition + noun masculine singular - for battle
• *ʾeṣbəʿôtay*: noun feminine plural + 1st person singular suffix - my fingers
• *lammilḥāmâ*: preposition + definite article + noun feminine singular - for the war/battle

Word Meanings

• *ṣûrî*: my rock/my strength/my fortress
• *hamlammēd*: the one who trains/teaches/instructs
• *qrāb*: battle/combat/warfare
• *milḥāmâ*: war/battle/fighting

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for war.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  A alm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  [ A Psalm of David.] Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, [And] my fingers to fight:

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Blessed be the LORDE my refuge, which teacheth my hades to warre, & my fyngers to fight.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  A Psalme of Dauid. Blessed be the Lorde my strength, which teacheth mine hands to fight, and my fingers to battell.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Of Dauid. Blessed be God my rocke: who teacheth my handes to warre, and my fingers to fyght.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ [A Psalm] of David. Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  > Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, Who teaches my hands to war, And my fingers to battle:

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  By David. Blessed `is' Jehovah my rock, who is teaching My hands for war, my fingers for battle.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, `And' my fingers to fight:

• American Standard Version (1901)

  [[ A Psalm] of David]. Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, [And] my fingers to fight:

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  <A Psalm. Of David.> Praise be to the God of my strength, teaching my hands the use of the sword, and my fingers the art of fighting:

• World English Bible (2000)

  Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to battle:

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  By David. The LORD, my protector, deserves praise– the one who trains my hands for battle, and my fingers for war,

Referenced Verses

• Ps 18:34 : 34 He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of bronze is broken by my arms.
• Ps 18:2 : 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
• Deut 32:30-31 : 30 How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had delivered them up? 31 For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
• 2 Sam 22:35 : 35 He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.
• Ps 44:3-4 : 3 For they did not gain the land in possession by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them: but Your right hand, and Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You had favor unto them. 4 You are my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
• 2 Cor 10:4 : 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds;
• Eph 6:10-11 : 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
• Ps 18:31 : 31 For who is God except the LORD? or who is a rock except our God?
• Ps 60:12 : 12 Through God we shall do valiantly, for He it is who shall tread down our enemies.
• Ps 71:3 : 3 Be my strong dwelling, where I may continually come; you have given commandment to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
• Ps 95:1 : 1 O come, let us sing to the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
• Isa 26:4 : 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
• Isa 45:24 : 24 Surely, they shall say, In the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him shall men come; and all who are incensed against Him shall be ashamed.