Psalm 144:12 - Blessed Be the LORD, My Rock

Then our sons will be like plants nurtured in their youth
This phrase suggests a vision of growth and vitality. In biblical times, plants were a common metaphor for prosperity and blessing (Psalm 1:3). The nurturing of plants implies careful cultivation, reflecting the importance of raising children with wisdom and guidance (Proverbs 22:6). The imagery of youth emphasizes the potential and promise inherent in the next generation. This aligns with the biblical theme of children as a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5).

our daughters like corner pillars carved to adorn a palace
Corner pillars in ancient architecture were essential for structural integrity and often intricately designed, symbolizing strength and beauty. This imagery conveys the idea of daughters being both foundational and ornamental within the family and community. The reference to a palace suggests nobility and honor, indicating the high value placed on daughters. This aligns with Proverbs 31, which describes a virtuous woman as a crown to her husband and a source of strength and dignity. The comparison to a palace also hints at the future glory and splendor of God's kingdom, where His people are likened to a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
The author of Psalm 144, David is a central figure in the Bible, known for his deep relationship with God, his role as the second king of Israel, and his authorship of many Psalms.

2. Israel
The nation to whom David belonged and often addressed in his writings. This Psalm reflects a prayer for the prosperity and blessing of the nation.

3. Youth
The period of life referenced in the verse, symbolizing potential, growth, and the future of the community.

4. Palace
A symbol of strength, beauty, and stability, representing the desired outcome for the daughters mentioned in the verse.

5. Plants and Pillars
Metaphors used to describe the ideal growth and development of sons and daughters, respectively.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Nurturing Youth
Just as plants need care to grow strong, our sons require guidance and nurturing to develop into godly men. This involves teaching them the Word of God and modeling a life of faith.

The Role of Daughters in the Community
Daughters are likened to corner pillars, essential for the beauty and stability of a palace. This highlights the value and strength women bring to the family and community when they are grounded in faith.

The Vision for a Godly Family
David's vision for his family and nation is one of growth, strength, and beauty. This should inspire us to pray for and work towards a family that reflects God's glory.

The Impact of a Godly Legacy
The imagery in this verse encourages us to consider the legacy we are leaving for future generations. Are we investing in our children in a way that will lead to a strong and faithful lineage?

(12) That our sons.--This rendering of the relative, which so strangely begins this fragment, would be possible after Genesis 11:7; Genesis 13:16, &c, if a finite verb instead of participles followed; or it might mean "because," as in Genesis 30:18, &c, but for the same anomalous construction; or it might, as by the LXX., be rendered whose, if any antecedent for it could be discovered. But all these devices are plainly impossible, and there is nothing for it but to treat the passage which it introduces as a fragment of another poem quite unconnected with the previous part of the psalm. Render, we whose.

As plants.--The Hebrew word seems always to denote a young, vigorous tree lately planted. (See especially Job 14:9, aptly translated by the LXX. ????????. (For the comparison, comp. Isaiah 5:7; Psalm 1:3, Note, Psalm 128:3.) . . .

Verse 12. - That our sons may be as plants. The stanza which these words introduce is a very remarkable one, having nothing at all corresponding to it in the rest of the Psalter. It has been thought by some to be an antique document, quoted by the writer of the psalm, as suited for a festal occasion. Our translation makes it a picture of the condition to which the writer hopes that Israel may one day come; but the best recent critics see in it a description of Israel's actual condition in the writer's day. Professor Cheyne translates, "Because our sons are as plants;" and Dr. Kay, "What time our sons are as plants." Grown up in their youth; literally, grown large. The sons are compared to ornamental trees or shrubs, growing outside a building. That our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished (or, "carved") after the similitude of a palace. The daughters are like carved pillars, lighting up the angular recesses of the structure. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

our sons
בָּנֵ֨ינוּ ׀ (bā·nê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1121: A son

will be like plants
כִּנְטִעִים֮ (kin·ṭi·‘îm)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5195: A plant

nurtured
מְגֻדָּלִ֪ים (mə·ḡud·dā·lîm)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

in their youth,
בִּֽנְעוּרֵ֫יהֶ֥ם (bin·‘ū·rê·hem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons

our daughters
בְּנוֹתֵ֥ינוּ (bə·nō·w·ṯê·nū)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter

like corner pillars
כְזָוִיֹּ֑ת (ḵə·zā·wî·yōṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2106: An angle, a corner-column

carved
מְ֝חֻטָּב֗וֹת (mə·ḥuṭ·ṭā·ḇō·wṯ)
Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 2404: To cut or gather wood

to adorn
תַּבְנִ֥ית (taḇ·nîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8403: Structure, a model, resemblance

a palace.
הֵיכָֽל׃ (hê·ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

Links

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Psalm 144:12 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 144:12 Then our sons will be like well-nurtured (Psalm Ps Psa.)