Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley, [1754-65], at sacred-texts.com
Psalms 144:2
psa 144:2
Subdued - Who hath disposed my peoples hearts to receive and obey me as their king.
Psalms 144:5
psa 144:5
Come - To help me. Smoke - As Sinai did at thy glorious appearance, Exo 19:18. This is a figurative and poetical description of God's coming to take vengeance upon his enemies.
Psalms 144:7
psa 144:7
Strange children - Either of the Heathen nations: or of the rebellious Israelites.
Psalms 144:8
psa 144:8
Vanity - Vain brags and threatenings which shall come to nothing. Falsehood - Deceiving themselves, by being unable to do what they designed; and others, by not giving them that help which they promised.
Psalms 144:12
psa 144:12
That - This mercy I beg not only for my own sake, but for the sake of thy people, that they may enjoy those blessings which thou hast promised them; and particularly, that our sons, who are the strength and hopes of a nation, may be like plants, flourishing and growing in height and strength, as plants do in their youth; for when they grow old, they wither and decay. Cornerstone - Strong and beautiful.
Psalms 144:14
psa 144:14
Breaking in - Of enemies invading the land, or assaulting our cities, and making breaches in their walls. Going out - Of our people, either out of the cities to fight with an invading enemy: or out of the land into captivity.