Psalms 144:3

KJV

LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

KJV (with Strong's)

LORD {H3068}, what is man {H120}, that thou takest knowledge {H3045} of him! or the son {H1121} of man {H582}, that thou makest account {H2803} of him!

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, what are mere mortals, that you notice them at all; humans, that you think about them?

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him?

American Standard Version

Jehovah, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 144:3 presents a profound rhetorical question from King David, expressing his astonishment and humility at the incomprehensible condescension of the Almighty God towards frail and mortal humanity. It marvels that the transcendent Lord would not only acknowledge but also deeply consider and value beings as seemingly insignificant as humans, shifting the focus from God's immense power in battle to His intimate and purposeful care for His creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a significant transition within Psalm 144, moving from a fervent prayer for divine strength and victory in warfare to a moment of deep theological reflection. The opening verses (e.g., [Psalm 144:1-2](/psalms/144-1-2 "Psalm 144:1-2 - David's Prayer for Strength")) laud God as David's "rock," "fortress," "deliverer," and "shield," emphasizing His active role in protecting and empowering the king against his adversaries. The sudden interjection of "LORD, what is man..." in verse 3 functions as a profound expression of humility and wonder, starkly contrasting God's infinite power and majesty, just praised, with the ephemeral nature of humanity. This introspection sets the stage for subsequent pleas for deliverance from "strange children" ([Psalm 144:7-8](/psalms/144-7-8 "Prayer for Deliverance")) and prayers for national prosperity and blessing ([Psalm 144:12-15](/psalms/144-12-15 "Prayer for Prosperity")), grounding all future requests in the astonishing reality of God's attentiveness to His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalm 144 is traditionally attributed to King David, reflecting his experiences as a warrior-king constantly engaged in battles for the protection and expansion of Israel. The historical backdrop would be one of conflict and reliance on divine intervention for success. In ancient Near Eastern thought, kings often saw themselves as divinely appointed, but David consistently demonstrated a unique humility before God, acknowledging his dependence and the vast chasm between the Creator and creation. The question "what is man?" resonates with a common biblical theme that contrasts the fleeting life of humans with the eternal nature of God, a concept deeply ingrained in the wisdom literature and prophetic writings (e.g., [Job 7:17](/job/7-17 "Job 7:17 - What Is Man, That You Magnify Him?"), [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "The Frailty of Man")). This cultural understanding of human frailty against divine transcendence makes God's "knowledge" and "account" of humanity all the more remarkable.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Divine Condescension and Intimacy**. Despite God's infinite power and glory, He chooses to engage personally with humanity. This challenges any notion of a distant or indifferent deity. Closely related is the theme of **Human Frailty and Insignificance**, highlighted by the psalmist's rhetorical question, which underscores the ephemeral and weak nature of humans in stark contrast to the eternal, all-powerful Lord. Yet, this frailty is met with **God's Personal Care and Value**, as the terms "takest knowledge" and "makest account" imply a deep, intentional, and valuing relationship. This echoes the sentiment found in [Psalm 8:4](/psalms/8-4 "God's Mindful Care for Humanity"), where the psalmist similarly marvels at God's mindfulness of humanity, despite the vastness of His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_ H120):** Derived from a root meaning "ruddy," this term refers to a human being, an individual, or mankind as a species. It often carries the connotation of humanity as originating from the earth (`adamah`), emphasizing our earthly, mortal nature and our common, universal aspect before God.
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼĕnôwsh'_ H582):** This term, found in the phrase "son of man," properly denotes a mortal, emphasizing human frailty, weakness, and susceptibility to sorrow. It contrasts sharply with the divine, highlighting humanity's transient and dependent existence. Its use intensifies the sense of human vulnerability and insignificance in the face of God's majesty.
* **takest knowledge (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_ H3045):** This primitive root means "to know," but it encompasses a wide range of senses beyond mere intellectual apprehension. It implies intimate acquaintance, observation, care, recognition, and even a covenantal relationship. When God "takes knowledge" of humanity, it signifies His active, personal, and intentional engagement, acknowledging our existence, understanding our condition, and demonstrating profound care and concern.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"LORD, what is man":** This opening clause is a rhetorical question directed to YHWH (Jehovah, H3068), the self-existent and eternal God. The psalmist expresses profound wonder and humility, questioning the very essence and significance of humanity (`ʼâdâm`, H120) in comparison to the infinite greatness of God. It's not a question of ignorance, but of awe and astonishment at God's focus on such a creature.
* **"that thou takest knowledge of him!":** This clause immediately follows the first, elaborating on the astonishing nature of God's interaction with humanity. The verb "takest knowledge" (`yâdaʻ`, H3045) implies an intimate, personal, and caring recognition. The psalmist is amazed that the transcendent God would condescend to acknowledge, observe, and intimately relate to frail human beings.
* **"or the son of man":** This phrase serves as a parallel to "man," reinforcing the idea of humanity's humble and mortal state. "Son of man" (using `ʼĕnôwsh`, H582) emphasizes human frailty and mortality even more strongly than "man" (`ʼâdâm`), highlighting our transient nature and dependence. The parallelism intensifies the wonder expressed in the verse.
* **"that thou makest account of him!":** Completing the parallel structure, this clause describes God's deliberate consideration and valuation of humanity. To "make account" (`châshab`, H2803) means to reckon, to value, to consider with purpose, or to devise concerning. It implies that God not only knows us but also actively thinks about us, values us, and has a plan or regard for us. This astonishing truth underscores God's profound and intentional care for His creation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 144:3 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!" This is not a question seeking information, but one designed to express deep awe, wonder, and humility before the incomprehensible condescension of God. It invites the listener to ponder the vast disparity between divine majesty and human frailty, thereby magnifying God's grace. Secondly, the verse utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry. The phrases "what is man" and "the son of man" are parallel expressions referring to humanity, while "that thou takest knowledge of him" and "that thou makest account of him" are parallel descriptions of God's action. This parallelism intensifies the meaning, reinforcing the twin ideas of human insignificance and divine attentiveness. Finally, there is a powerful **Contrast** established between the infinite, eternal, and all-powerful "LORD" and the finite, frail, and mortal "man" or "son of man." This stark juxtaposition elevates God's character and highlights the extraordinary nature of His loving engagement with His creation, making His condescension all the more remarkable and praiseworthy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 144:3 profoundly articulates the astonishing truth of God's intimate involvement with humanity, despite our inherent frailty and insignificance. It reveals a God who is not distant or aloof, but one who condescends to acknowledge, value, and actively engage with His creation. This divine attentiveness is rooted in God's covenantal faithfulness and His boundless love, demonstrating that His majesty does not preclude personal care but rather magnifies it. The verse challenges us to embrace humility regarding our own standing while simultaneously finding immense comfort and security in the knowledge that the Creator of the universe considers us worthy of His attention and purpose. This theological truth forms the bedrock of our relationship with God, inviting both worshipful awe and confident trust.

* [Psalm 8:4](/psalms/8-4 "God's Mindful Care for Humanity")
* [Job 7:17](/job/7-17 "Job 7:17 - What Is Man, That You Magnify Him?")
* [Isaiah 40:15](/isaiah/40-15 "Isaiah 40:15 - Nations as a Drop in a Bucket")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 144:3 calls us to a profound posture of humility and awe before our Creator. In a world that often encourages self-exaltation and humanistic pride, this verse serves as a sobering reminder of our true place in the grand cosmic order: we are dust, fleeting and mortal. Yet, paradoxically, it also offers immense comfort and security. The infinite, transcendent God, who holds the universe in His hands, chooses to know, value, and make account of each one of us. This truth should inspire not despair, but deep gratitude and confident trust. It means our lives, our struggles, our joys, and our very existence are not unnoticed or uncared for by the Almighty. Understanding this divine attentiveness should motivate us to live lives worthy of such incredible regard, seeking to honor Him in all we do, knowing that we are deeply cherished by the One who truly matters.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between God's majesty and human frailty in this verse shape your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways does knowing that God "takes knowledge" and "makes account" of you impact your sense of self-worth and purpose?**
* **How might reflecting on this verse deepen your humility and dependence on God in your daily life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live in greater awareness of God's personal care for you?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of David asking "what is man?" when he is a mighty king?**

Answer: David's question is not born of ignorance but of profound humility and awe. As a powerful king and warrior, he was acutely aware of human limitations, mortality, and dependence on God for every victory and breath. His question highlights the vast chasm between the Creator and creation. It underscores that despite his earthly power and divine anointing, he, like all humanity, remains a finite, frail being. The wonder is not in man's greatness, but in God's incomprehensible condescension to pay attention to such a creature. This rhetorical question magnifies God's grace and love, demonstrating that His care extends even to the "least" of His creation, as seen in [Psalm 8:4](/psalms/8-4 "Psalm 8:4 - God's Mindful Care for Humanity").

**Is there a difference between "man" and "son of man" in this verse?**

Answer: Yes, while both terms refer to humanity, they carry slightly different nuances in Hebrew. "Man" (Hebrew: `ʼâdâm`, H120) refers to humanity in a general sense, often emphasizing our origin from the earth or our common human nature. "Son of man" (Hebrew: `bên ʼĕnôwsh`, H582) uses `ʼĕnôwsh`, which specifically emphasizes human frailty, weakness, and mortality. The use of both terms in parallel intensifies the psalmist's point, highlighting humanity's utter dependence and fleeting existence from multiple angles. It underscores the profound contrast with the eternal and mighty God, making His attention to us all the more remarkable. This dual phrasing emphasizes the depth of human vulnerability that God so graciously condescends to acknowledge and value.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 144:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's rhetorical question, "LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!" is answered in the Incarnation. The infinite God, who is praised for His majesty and power, did not merely "take knowledge" of humanity from a distance, but in Christ, He became "man," the "Son of Man." The very God who is so far above us condescended to enter into our frail, mortal existence, identifying fully with our humanity (see [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The "son of man" (ben 'enosh), symbolizing human weakness and mortality, became the very title Jesus most frequently used for Himself, linking His divine identity with His full humanity and His redemptive mission (e.g., [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus, the God-man, demonstrated the ultimate extent of God's "making account" of humanity. He did not just value us; He gave His life to redeem us, proving that God's knowledge and consideration of us are not passive but active, sacrificial, and transformative. The author of Hebrews picks up on the theme from [Psalm 8](/psalms/8 "God's Glory and Man's Dominion"), applying it directly to Christ, showing how Jesus, "for a little while lower than the angels," became man to taste death for everyone, thereby bringing many sons to glory (see [Hebrews 2:9-10](/hebrews/2-9-10 "Hebrews 2:9-10 - Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor")). Thus, in Christ, God's astonishing condescension is fully revealed, and humanity's value is eternally secured, not by our own merit, but by the immeasurable love and sacrifice of the divine "Son of Man."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 8:4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Job 7:17

¶ What [is] man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

Hebrews 2:6

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Job 15:14

What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Psalms 146:3

Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.

Psalms 146:4

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.