As a guy trained by The Navigators (and now “I are one”), I’m a firm believer in scripture memory. Dallas Willard said if he could practice only one spiritual discipline, it would be scripture memory. My blog from October 31, 2025, Beth…don’t forget talks about how scripture memory is encouraged in Psalm 119.9, 11:

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119.9, 11, NKJV)

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But as I come to Psalm 144, there’s another good reason for scripture memory: it makes you an “instant expert” in a part of the Bible you might not pay much attention to. Decades ago, I memorized the opening:

Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. (Psalm 144.1, 2, ESV)

I’m not a literal warrior, but I took it as God helping David do his job. And when I come to Psalm 144, because I’ve memorized part of it, it feels like coming home. Likewise the ending, a promise, which I also memorized at a different time:

Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144.12 – 15, NIV)

That’s a good word.