Psalms 144:12

“That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth - That our sons - not called forth to the hardships of the tent and the field, the perils and the exposures of war - may grow up under the culture of home, of the family, in quiet scenes, as plants carefully cultivated and flourishing. Compare Psalms 128:3. The Hebrew here is, “grown large in their youth;” not “grown up,” which has a paradoxical appearance. The meaning is, that they may be stout, strong, vigorous, well-formed, even in early life; that they may not be stunted in their growth, but be of full and manly proportions. That our daughters may be as cornerstones - The word used here - זויות zâvı̂yôth - occurs only in the plural…”

“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”

“144:12-15 This prayer for the Lord’s blessing brings the laments of Pss 140–144 to a close. It offers a vision of God’s provision and protection (see Ps 127), not only for the psalmist, but for his descendants and those of all the godly. 144:12 The psalmist compares sons and daughters to plants and pillars, which are images of strength and beauty.”

“as plants: Psa 115:14, Psa 115:15, Psa 127:4, Psa 127:5, Psa 128:3; Isa 44:3-5; Lam 4:2 as corner stones: Job 42:15; Prov. 31:10-27; Isa 3:16-24 polished: Heb. cut the similitude: Sol 8:8, Sol 8:9; Pe1 3:3-6 Psalms 144:13”

“With reference to the relation of this passage to the preceding, vid., the introduction. אשׁר (it is uncertain whether this is a word belonging originally to this piece or one added by the person who appended it as a sort of clasp or rivet) signifies here quoniam, as in Jdg 9:17; Jer 16:13, and frequently. lxx ὢν οἱ υίοὶ (אשׁר בניהם); so that the temporal prosperity of the enemies is pictured here, and in Psa 144:15 the spiritual possession of Israel is contrasted with it. The union becomes satisfactorily close in connection with this reading, but the reference of the description, so designedly set forth, to the enemies is improbable. In Psa 144:12-14 we hear a language that is…”