Psalms 144:3

3 LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?

Psalms 144:3 in Other Translations

KJV
3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
ESV
3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?
NLT
3 O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?
MSG
3 I wonder why you care, God - why do you bother with us at all?
CSB
3 Lord, what is man, that You care for him, the son of man, that You think of him?

Psalms 144:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 144:3

Lord, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him?
&c.] Man, that is at most and best but a creature, made of the dust of the earth, is but dust and ashes; yea, a sinful creature, that drinks up iniquity like water: and yet the Lord not only knows him, as he is the omniscient God, but takes notice of him in a way of providence, and in a way of grace. His chosen people are no other nor better than others, of the same original, and of the same character; and yet he owns and acknowledges them as his peculiar people, and makes himself known unto them: and so it is rendered by the Septuagint version, "that thou shouldest be known unto him?" or, "appear to him?" as the Arabic; reveal thyself to him, not only by the light of nature and works of creation, but in Christ, and by the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him?
as the Lord does, especially of some of the sons of men; whom he reckons as his portion and inheritance, his jewels and peculiar treasure, and who are as dear to him as the apple of his eye; whom he "magnifies", as in ( Job 7:17 ) ; makes them kings and priests; raises them from the dunghill, and sets them among princes, to inherit the throne of glory; on whom he sets his heart, and loves them with an everlasting love: or, "that thou shouldest think of him?" F7 thoughts of peace, and not of evil; so as to provide a Saviour for men, and send down the Spirit of his Son into their hearts to quicken them; so as to bless them with all spiritual blessings, and at last to glorify them. David no doubt had a special respect to himself; and wondered at the goodness of God to him, in taking him from a family of little or no account, from a mean employ, from a shepherd's cottage, and raising him to the throne of Israel; and especially in making him a partaker of grace, and an heir of glory; see ( Psalms 8:4 ) ; which is applied to Christ, ( Hebrews 2:6-9 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (whbvxtw) "quod cogites de eo", Tigurine version, Vatablus.

Psalms 144:3 In-Context

1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
3 LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.
5 Part your heavens, LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 8:4; Hebrews 2:6
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