Psalms 144:11

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:

Rid {H6475} me, and deliver {H5337} me from the hand {H3027} of strange {H5236} children {H1121}, whose mouth {H6310} speaketh {H1696} vanity {H7723}, and their right hand {H3225} is a right hand {H3225} of falsehood {H8267}:

Rescue me, save me from the power of strangers, whose mouths speak worthless words and whose right hands swear false oaths.

Set me free and rescue me from the grasp of foreigners, whose mouths speak falsehood, whose right hands are deceitful.

Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hand of aliens, Whose mouth speaketh deceit, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

Commentary

Psalms 144:11 KJV is a fervent plea from King David for divine protection and deliverance from deceptive enemies. This verse, nestled within a psalm of praise and petition, highlights the psalmist's reliance on God amidst the challenges of leadership and warfare. It underscores a timeless struggle against those who operate with deceit and dishonesty.

Context of Psalms 144:11

Psalm 144 is a psalm of David, often interpreted as a prayer offered during a time of conflict or national distress. It begins with David praising God as his strength and fortress, recounting God's mighty acts of deliverance in the past. After celebrating God's power and acknowledging humanity's frailty (verses 3-4), David shifts to a direct petition for God to intervene and deliver him from his adversaries. Verse 11 specifically details the nature of these enemies, setting the stage for subsequent prayers for national prosperity and peace (verses 12-15). This verse reflects David's constant need for God's protection against both literal enemies and those who sought to undermine him through treachery.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Deliverance: The primary theme is David's urgent cry for God to "rid me, and deliver me." This emphasizes God as the ultimate source of safety and rescue from overwhelming threats, a recurring motif throughout the Psalms.
  • The Nature of Falsehood: The verse sharply defines the enemies not just by their actions, but by their character: their speech is "vanity" and their actions are "falsehood." This highlights the insidious nature of deceit, which undermines trust and integrity.
  • Integrity vs. Deception: By describing the enemies as speaking vanity and acting with falsehood, the psalm implicitly contrasts their character with the integrity expected of God's people. It serves as a warning against those whose words and deeds cannot be trusted.
  • Spiritual Warfare: While rooted in David's literal battles, the description of enemies whose "mouth speaketh vanity" and "right hand is a right hand of falsehood" can be applied spiritually to the constant battle against lies, misinformation, and the schemes of the "father of lies" (John 8:44).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Strange children" (KJV): The Hebrew phrase is b'nei nekhar (ื‘ึฐึผื ึตื™ ื ึตื›ึธืจ), which literally means "sons of the foreigner" or "sons of the alien." This term often refers to those outside the covenant community of Israel, implying not just ethnic difference but a spiritual estrangement from God's ways and truth. They are perceived as hostile and untrustworthy.
  • "Whose mouth speaketh vanity": The Hebrew word for "vanity" here is shav (ืฉึธืื•ึฐื). This powerful word denotes emptiness, worthlessness, deception, and falsehood. It's the same word used in the commandment against taking God's name "in vain" (Exodus 20:7), implying speech that is meaningless, deceitful, or even idolatrous. The psalmist is complaining about those whose words are utterly unreliable and filled with lies, similar to Psalm 12:2 which speaks of men speaking vanity with their neighbors.
  • "Their right hand is a right hand of falsehood": The "right hand" was symbolically significant in ancient Near Eastern culture, representing strength, authority, solemn oaths, and agreements. To say their right hand is one of "falsehood" (sheqer, ืฉึถืืงึถืจ) means their promises, pledges, and actions are inherently deceptive and treacherous. They cannot be trusted even when they extend a hand of agreement.

Practical Application

Psalms 144:11 offers a timeless prayer for believers navigating a world often filled with deceit. It encourages us to:

  1. Seek God's Deliverance: When faced with misleading information, false accusations, or untrustworthy individuals, our first recourse should be to pray for God's intervention and discernment, just as David did. God remains our ultimate deliverer (Psalm 18:2).
  2. Discern Deception: The verse calls us to be aware of those whose words and actions are not aligned with truth. In an age of widespread communication, discerning genuine information from "vanity" and "falsehood" is crucial for spiritual and personal well-being.
  3. Uphold Integrity: By highlighting the negative qualities of the "strange children," the verse implicitly challenges believers to live with integrity, ensuring their own words are truthful and their actions honorable, reflecting God's character.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 144:7

    Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

  • Psalms 144:8

    Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand of falsehood.

  • Isaiah 44:20

    He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?

  • Psalms 12:2

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

  • 2 Samuel 17:1

    ยถ Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

  • 2 Samuel 17:14

    And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

  • 2 Samuel 16:5

    ยถ And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name [was] Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.