144:1   (By David.) I praise you, LORD! You are my mighty rock, and you teach me how to fight my battles.

144:2   You are my friend, and you are my fortress where I am safe. You are my shield, and you made me the ruler of our people.

144:3   Why do we humans mean anything to you, our LORD? Why do you care about us?

144:4   We disappear like a breath; we last no longer than a faint shadow.

144:5   Open the heavens like a curtain and come down, LORD. Touch the mountains and make them send up smoke.

144:6   Use your lightning as arrows to scatter my enemies and make them run away.

144:7   Reach down from heaven and set me free. Save me from the mighty flood

144:8   of those lying foreigners who can't tell the truth.

144:9   In praise of you, our God, I will sing a new song, while playing my harp.

144:10   By your power, kings win wars, and your servant David is saved from deadly swords.

144:11   Won't you keep me safe from those lying foreigners who can't tell the truth?

144:12   Let's pray that our young sons will grow like strong plants and that our daughters will be as lovely as columns in the corner of a palace.

144:13   May our barns be filled with all kinds of crops. May our fields be covered with sheep by the thousands,

144:14   and every cow have calves. Don't let our city be captured or any of us be taken away, and don't let cries of sorrow be heard in our streets.

144:15   Our LORD and our God, you give these blessings to all who worship you.