Psalm 144:3 kjv
LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
Psalm 144:3 nkjv
LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
Psalm 144:3 niv
LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
Psalm 144:3 esv
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?
Psalm 144:3 nlt
O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them?
Psalm 144 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 8:4 | "What is man, that You are mindful of him...?" | Direct parallel to Psa 144:3's theme |
| Job 7:17 | "What is man, that You make so much of him...?" | Echoes human fragility and God's focus |
| Job 15:14 | "What is man, that he can be pure...?" | Highlights human sinfulness, implying unworthiness |
| Isa 40:17 | "All the nations are as nothing before Him..." | Underscores God's supreme transcendence |
| Isa 40:22 | "...who stretches out the heavens like a curtain..." | Emphasizes God's cosmic scale vs. man's smallness |
| Gen 1:26-27 | "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image...'" | Explains man's unique worth to God |
| Gen 2:7 | "then the LORD God formed the man of dust..." | Describes man's humble origins |
| Ps 103:14 | "For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." | God's awareness of human frailty |
| Ps 113:5-6 | "Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who stoops down to look...?" | God's condescension from His throne |
| Ps 139:17 | "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!" | God's abundant thoughts for His people |
| Jer 29:11 | "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD..." | God's intentional and caring plans for humanity |
| Lam 3:22-23 | "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases..." | Reveals the source of God's unmerited favor |
| Heb 2:6-8 | "It has been testified somewhere, 'What is man...'" | Quotes Psa 8:4-6, applied to Christ and humanity |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son..." | Demonstrates the ultimate act of God's regard |
| Rom 5:8 | "but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners..." | Emphasizes God's love despite human unworthiness |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." | Reassurance of God's ongoing personal care |
| Lk 12:7 | "Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered." | God's meticulous attention to individuals |
| Ex 2:24-25 | "God heard their groaning... God knew." | God's awareness and action in human suffering |
| Phil 2:6-8 | "...but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant..." | Christ's condescension as God in human form |
| Tit 3:4-5 | "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared..." | God's love not based on human works |
| Eph 2:4-5 | "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us..." | Highlights the depth of God's love |
| Zeph 3:17 | "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save..." | God's active presence and care |
| Isa 49:15-16 | "Can a woman forget her nursing child... I will not forget you..." | God's unwavering remembrance of His people |
Psalm 144 verses
Psalm 144 3 Meaning
Psalm 144:3 expresses a profound paradox: the unfathomable greatness of the Almighty Creator, the LORD, contrasted with the seeming insignificance and mortality of humanity. It is a humble rhetorical question posed by the psalmist, wondering why such a majestic God would condescend to acknowledge, regard, or even think about fragile, finite human beings. This verse highlights God's magnificent love, care, and attention towards His creation, particularly mankind, despite humanity's ephemeral nature.
Psalm 144 3 Context
Psalm 144 is a blend of a national hymn of praise and a royal prayer, likely composed by King David, expressing his reliance on the LORD in times of battle and distress. It opens with David praising God as his rock, fortress, and deliverer (v. 1-2), a powerful God who trains his hands for war. Verse 3 then presents a sudden, profound shift, moving from God's immense power demonstrated in warfare to His incredible humility and attention towards humanity. This stark contrast highlights God's magnanimity – that such a powerful God would pay any heed to frail human beings – before the psalmist then returns to a petition for victory and prosperity (v. 5ff). Historically, such a psalm would resonate with a king or people facing mighty enemies, finding comfort in God's unparalleled might, and marvelling that this same powerful God would condescend to engage with their struggles. It implicitly challenges notions of human self-sufficiency or gods who are distant or unconcerned.
Psalm 144 3 Word analysis
- LORD (יהוה - Yahweh): This is the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relational fidelity to His people. The psalmist addresses the ultimate, all-powerful Deity, not just any god, making the subsequent question of divine concern even more profound.
- what is man (מָה אָדָם - mah adam):
- מָה (mah): "What," here used as an expression of wonder, astonishment, or humility, not necessarily an actual request for information. It conveys incredulity at God's action.
- אָדָם (adam): Refers to mankind in general, signifying humanity collectively. It also carries the connotation of being "from the dust" (אֲדָמָה - adamah, earth), emphasizing man's earthly, mortal, and fragile nature. This term underscores human frailty and temporal existence.
- that You regard him (כִּי תֵדָעֵהוּ - ki teda'ehu):
- כִּי (ki): "That" or "surely," indicating a causal or explanatory relationship for the previous wonder.
- תֵדָעֵהוּ (teda'ehu): From יָדַע (yada), "to know." This knowledge is not merely intellectual awareness but implies deep, intimate understanding, acknowledgement, care, and attention. It suggests active recognition and valuing.
- or the son of man (וּבֶן־אָדָם - uven-adam):
- וּ (u-): "And" or "or," connecting this phrase as a parallel expression.
- בֶן־אָדָם (ben-adam): "Son of man" refers to an individual human being, a member of humanity. It emphasizes the individual's feebleness and limited lifespan. Used in contrast to the divine, it highlights the immense qualitative difference between God and even the most significant human.
- that You think of him (כִּי תְפַקְּדֶנּוּ - ki tefaqdennu):
- כִּי (ki): "That."
- תְפַקְּדֶנּוּ (tefaqdennu): From פָקַד (paqad), which means "to visit," "to attend to," "to inspect," "to muster," or "to appoint." Here, it signifies more than just a thought; it denotes active attention, consideration, and personal intervention or oversight. It implies that God is not just aware but actively concerned and engages with humanity.
Psalm 144 3 Bonus section
The rhetorical questions in Psalm 144:3 and Psalm 8:4 ("What is man, that You are mindful of him?") are deep theological inquiries that reveal the character of God. They demonstrate that God's actions toward humanity are not dictated by human merit or greatness but flow from His own good pleasure, lovingkindness, and sovereign will. This contrasts sharply with pagan deities often portrayed as capricious, distant, or only responding to sacrifices and flattery. The God of Israel is actively engaged with and cares for His creation. The verse implies that humanity, while being dust, is simultaneously divinely purposed and precious in God's eyes, a dignity bestowed not earned. This recognition inspires humility and gratitude, rather than despair or arrogance.
Psalm 144 3 Commentary
Psalm 144:3 stands as a pivotal expression of divine condescension and human wonder. In the midst of praising God for His might in battle, the psalmist is overcome with astonishment that this same infinite and powerful LORD would bestow His thoughts and attention upon fragile, mortal man. This question is not one of doubt, but of awe-filled humility, acknowledging God's unmerited favor. The terms "man" (אָדָם, humanity in general, from dust) and "son of man" (בֶן־אָדָם, individual human, frail and temporary) highlight human transience and unworthiness in stark contrast to God's eternal majesty. Yet, despite this disparity, God "regards" (knows deeply, cares for) and "thinks of" (actively visits, attends to, inspects) humanity. This divine preoccupation with man finds its ultimate expression in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God becoming the Son of Man, demonstrating God's ultimate "visitation" and care for humanity, redeeming them from their transient state to eternal life. It reminds believers that no matter their perceived insignificance, they are profoundly valued and meticulously cared for by the Almighty.