Psalms 144

My Fortress and Deliverer

Jehovah — the premortal Jesus Christ, the covenant God of Israel

Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: Psalms 144:1–2

David heaps titles on Jehovah: strength, fortress, high tower, deliverer, shield. These are names of the premortal Christ, who saves those who trust Him.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Psalms 18:2 — 'The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer... my buckler... and my high tower.'

Son of man

LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Psalms 144:3

Here 'son of man' means frail humanity. The wording repeats Psalm 8:4, which Hebrews applies to Jesus, so the line softly echoes the Son of Man who took on our frailty.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Psalms 8:4 — 'What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?'

The LORD who comes down

Jehovah — the premortal Jesus Christ, the covenant God of Israel

Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Psalms 144:5–7

David asks Jehovah to bow the heavens and come down to rescue him. Jehovah coming down to save foreshadows His coming to earth and His return in glory.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alludes to Psalms 18:9 — 'He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.'

Jehovah (the LORD)

Jehovah — the premortal Jesus Christ, the covenant God of Israel

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. Psalms 144:9–10

David sings a new song to the God who gives salvation and delivers His servant.