Psalm 144 15

Psalm 144:15 kjv

Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

Psalm 144:15 nkjv

Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

Psalm 144:15 niv

Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the LORD.

Psalm 144:15 esv

Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!

Psalm 144:15 nlt

Yes, joyful are those who live like this!
Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD.

Psalm 144 verses

Psalm 144 15 Meaning

Psalm 144:15 declares the profound and ultimate source of true happiness and blessedness for a people. The verse is structured in two parallel clauses: "Happy is that people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD." The first clause acknowledges the outward signs of prosperity described in the preceding verses (abundant children, fruitful harvests, flourishing livestock, secure walls), which are often associated with blessing. However, the second, and truly pivotal, clause clarifies and redefines the root of true happiness: it is the covenant relationship with Yahweh (the LORD) as their God. This implies that while material prosperity can be a gift, it is only truly meaningful and secure when it flows from, or is overshadowed by, a genuine devotion to the one true God. The verse ultimately affirms that the greatest blessedness for a nation lies not in its worldly fortunes, but in its exclusive and intimate relationship with the Creator and Covenant Keeper.

Psalm 144 15 Context

Psalm 144 is a Davidic psalm, divided broadly into a prayer for divine assistance in battle and victory (verses 1-11) and a prayer for national prosperity and the welfare of the people (verses 12-14). Verse 15 serves as a profound theological commentary and conclusion to the psalm's themes. Having requested deliverance from enemies and a state of outward flourishing, David redirects the focus, declaring that such conditions, while desirable, are secondary to the supreme blessing of having the LORD as God. This final verse reframes the previous requests within a proper spiritual perspective, reminding both king and people that their true identity, security, and well-being are found not in military strength or material abundance alone, but in their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. Historically, this perspective challenged the common worldview of surrounding pagan nations, who attributed prosperity to their various deities or human efforts, demonstrating Israel's distinctive relationship with its exclusive God.

Psalm 144 15 Word analysis

• אַשְׁרֵי (ashrei): Transliteration: ashrei. Meaning: "Oh, the blessedness of!" "Happy are!" This term conveys a deep inner well-being, profound contentment, and happiness that is often viewed as divinely granted or stemming from a specific favored condition. It signifies more than mere good fortune; it points to a state of favor and right standing.
• הָעָם (ha'am): Transliteration: ha'am. Meaning: "The people." Here, it specifically refers to "the nation" or "the community," implying the covenant people of Israel, distinguishing them from other nations.
• שֶׁכָּכָה לּוֹ (shekkakhah lo): Transliteration: shekakhah lo. Meaning: "for whom it is thus," or "who are in such a case." The "thus" refers directly to the descriptive blessings mentioned in the preceding verses (144:12-14) – healthy, productive children, abundant harvests, thriving livestock. It describes an outwardly prosperous condition.
• יְהוָה (YHWH): Transliteration: Yahweh (conventionally rendered as "LORD" in English Bibles). Meaning: This is the Tetragrammaton, the sacred, personal, covenant name of God, revealed to Moses (Exo 3:14-15). It signifies God's self-existence, eternal presence, and especially His covenant faithfulness to His people.
• אֱלֹהָיו (Elohav): Transliteration: elohav. Meaning: "His God," or "their God" (plural context). This term, a form of Elohim (God), denotes possession and intimate relationship. It emphasizes Yahweh as the specific, chosen, and worshiped God of this particular people.

Words-group analysis:

• "אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּכָה לּוֹ" ("Happy is the people for whom it is thus"): This first half acknowledges and even celebrates the desirability of material blessings and societal flourishing described earlier. It reflects a legitimate desire for divine provision and national well-being, a common theme in the Psalms. It serves as a natural human aspiration that then receives divine clarification.
• "אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁה' אֱלֹהָיו" ("Happy is the people whose God is the LORD"): This second half is the theological climax and interprets the true source of blessedness. It shifts the focus from external conditions ("thus it is for them") to the internal, relational reality ("their God is Yahweh"). It posits that true and lasting happiness isn't merely the presence of outward blessings, but the secure and life-giving relationship with the covenant-keeping God. Without Yahweh being their God, the "thus" (outward blessings) would be hollow, temporary, or even a distraction. This forms the central message, elevating spiritual reality above mere temporal prosperity. The repetition of "אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם" (ashrei ha'am - "blessed are the people") serves to emphasize the foundational nature of this truth.

Psalm 144 15 Bonus section

The positioning of Psalm 144:15 at the end of a psalm that details both military triumph and national prosperity is significant. It functions as a powerful theological corrective and summation. It implies that King David, despite his worldly success and desire for continued blessing, understood that these visible signs of favor were secondary to, and ultimately dependent upon, the nation's spiritual standing with God. It elevates relationship with God above even God's blessings. This reflects a consistent prophetic voice throughout the Old Testament: outward prosperity without inward righteousness and fidelity to Yahweh is a deceptive state that inevitably leads to downfall. It presents a divine perspective on the definition of a truly flourishing society – one where God's rightful place at the center is acknowledged and honored above all else. This verse also serves as an echo of similar declarations, particularly from Moses and the prophets, emphasizing Israel's unique identity as a people chosen by and devoted to Yahweh alone.

Psalm 144 15 Commentary

Psalm 144:15 encapsulates a core biblical truth about genuine blessing. David, after appealing for divine intervention in battle and praying for a visibly prosperous nation, brings the psalm to its crescendo by declaring that while physical and material blessings (like fertile fields and abundant children) are good and desired outcomes, they are not the ultimate definition or source of happiness. True blessedness, ashrei, which signifies deep internal well-being and favor, flows from the exclusive and intimate covenant relationship with Yahweh, the personal and faithful God of Israel.

This verse offers a crucial corrective to a purely materialistic view of blessing. A nation might appear prosperous on the surface, but if its foundation is not a devoted relationship with the LORD, that prosperity is ultimately fleeting, empty, or even leads to destruction. Conversely, a people might experience hardship, but if the LORD is truly their God, they possess an unwavering source of blessing, hope, and peace. This reorients priorities, asserting that God Himself, His character, and His presence are the greatest treasures. It defines true national success not by GDP or military might, but by covenant fidelity and spiritual devotion to the One True God.

Example: A kingdom may have strong fortresses and bountiful harvests (like in vv. 12-14), yet if its leaders and people worship false gods or abandon God's ways, it faces moral decay and divine judgment, lacking true peace. However, a people, even facing trials, whose identity is firmly rooted in "the LORD is our God," finds enduring strength, purpose, and genuine peace.