Psalm 144 - A Psalm of Trust (Reorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try entering into prayer with this three-part rhythm:

Part 1

Become present to the presence of God:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2 ESV).

Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being- your body, mind, imagination, affections and emotions. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.

Reflect on the joys and challenges of the day. What are you thankful for? Where did you see God at work? What do you lament? What do you need to confess?

Optional prayer of approach: ‘Father, as long as truth contends with falsehood, righteousness with wickedness, good with evil, may I be fit for the fight- armed with your Spirit, bolstered by your faithfulness. For what have I but you? You are the ground beneath my feet, the roof over my head, the freedom bought for me… How can I not triumph if you are with me?’ (Endless Grace, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 144).

Part 2

Slowly read from Psalm 144 out loud: (for an audio version click here)

 1-2  (The Message) Blessed be God, my mountain,
    who trains me to fight fair and well.
He’s the bedrock on which I stand,
    the castle in which I live,
    my rescuing knight,
The high crag where I run for dear life,
    while he lays my enemies low.

3-4 I wonder why you care, God—
    why do you bother with us at all?
All we are is a puff of air;
    we’re like shadows in a campfire.

5-8 Step down out of heaven, God;
    ignite volcanoes in the hearts of the mountains.
Hurl your lightnings in every direction;
    shoot your arrows this way and that.
Reach all the way from sky to sea:
    pull me out of the ocean of hate,
    out of the grip of those barbarians
Who lie through their teeth,
    who shake your hand
    then knife you in the back.

9-10 O God, let me sing a new song to you,
    let me play it on a twelve-string guitar—
A song to the God who saved the king,
    the God who rescued David, his servant.

11 Rescue me from the enemy sword,
    release me from the grip of those barbarians
Who lie through their teeth,
    who shake your hand
    then knife you in the back.

12-14 Make our sons in their prime
    like sturdy oak trees,
Our daughters as shapely and bright
    as fields of wildflowers.
Fill our barns with great harvest,
    fill our fields with huge flocks;
Protect us from invasion and exile—
    eliminate the crime in our streets.

15 How blessed the people who have all this!
How blessed the people who have God for God!

Part 3

Use your own words to pray Psalm 144 back to God:

Begin by personalizing the pronouns in the psalm, turning the words about God into a prayer directly to God. For example, v. 1 (‘… He’s the bedrock on which I stand ’) becomes ‘YOU, Lord, are the bedrock on which I stand.’ Pray your way through the psalm in this way.

Then gather these thoughts into your own psalm of trust:

  • “Lord, you are my…

  • “I depend on you to…

  • “Without you, I am…

  • “Even when…, I trust you.

  • “I am confident that you will… 

The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 144 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.

From the album Asaph (2014) by Lound Harp. loudharp.com