What does Psalm 144:8 mean?
ESV: whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
NIV: whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.
NASB: Whose mouths speak deceit, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
CSB: whose mouths speak lies, whose right hands are deceptive.
NLT: Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead.
KJV: Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
NKJV: Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 144:5–11 reflects on Israel's history, when the Lord descended at Sinai in a dramatic display of power and glory. David asks the Lord to use lightning to scatter his enemies. He also vows to praise the Lord with singing and music for making him victorious over his enemies.
Chapter Summary:
David begins by praising the Lord for ability, protection, and success in battle. This is amazing because humanity is so frail and temporary compared to God. Still, David asks for the Lord's intervention. Enemy nations and those who make false promises plague David. Yet he confidently plans to praise the Lord for the anticipated victory. The song ends with a prayer for the nation of Israel to experience prosperity. This is expected when the king is preserved, and such blessings are part of being God's chosen people.
Chapter Context:
Psalm 18 contains many of the same ideas and phrases as this song. There (Psalm 18:50), as here (Psalm 144:10), David also refers to himself by name. The psalm may be connected to David's defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51), his ascension to the throne (2 Samuel 2:4; 5:3), or one of his many combat victories (1 Samuel 18:5, 14). The right hand would have been raised to make an oath; those whose right hands lie are making false vows.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
