Psalm 144 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Psalm 144 is a specific type of psalm of supplication, a psalm of trust. (See the discussion of the types of psalms in the introduction to the book of Psalms.) The psalmist does not cry out urgently for help. Instead, he begins by saying how reliable and trustworthy Yahweh is. In the rest of the psalm, the psalmist asks for deliverance from his enemies, but this petition is punctuated by confident expressions of praise for Yahweh as the deliverer. 1. Statement of trust (1–4) 2. Petition (5–8) 3. Expression of praise (9–10) 4. Petition (11–14) 5. Expression of praise (15)