Psalms 144:7

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שְׁלַ֥ח
Send
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
מִ֝יַּ֗ד
from the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#3
מִמָּ֫ר֥וֹם
from above
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
#4
פְּצֵ֣נִי
rid
to rend, i.e., open (especially the mouth)
#5
וְ֭הַצִּילֵנִי
me and deliver
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
#6
מִמַּ֣יִם
waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#7
רַבִּ֑ים
me out of great
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#8
מִ֝יַּ֗ד
from the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#9
בְּנֵ֣י
children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
נֵכָֽר׃
of strange
foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine revelation reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection