Psalms 149

This psalm has no title, but is one of the Psalms unofficially called Hallelujah Psalms, of which there are five, and conclude the book. Psalms 146–150 all begin and end in the same manner, with a Hallelujah. A worthy close to the Psalter. Ten times the summons to praise rings out in these 5 psalms, and ten is the number of perfection.

The psalm, therefore, consists of two parts:

I. The exhortation to praise, to joy, to rejoicing - as appropriate to their deliverance; to their safe return; to their re-establishment in their own land, Psa_149:1-5.

II. The exhortation to carry out the purposes of God in regard to the people who had them, and who wronged were still hostile to them: to inflict on them the punishment which was due to them, and which God designed to bring upon them - regarding themselves as called of God to be his instruments in executing that punishment, in token of the divine displeasure at the conduct of those who had oppressed and wronged them, Psa_149:6-9.

Who wrote it, and on which occasion is unknown. It does appear that the author of this psalm is the same as the author of the preceding psalm. Opinions vary on the occasion on which it was written. Some commentators believe that it was composed after the return from the captivity, and the rebuilding of the walls of the city and the second temple. Another suggests that it was written by David in the beginning of his reign, when he obtained victories over the Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Syrians; and refers to the times of the Messiah. Still others believe it is a prediction of great things done in the times of the Maccabees to heathens and their princes. It has been understood by some as predicting the success of the Gospel in the nations of the earth, concerning the new temple, by which the Christian Church is meant.

Psa 149:1  Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 

Praise ye the Lord - Or "hallelujah"; hence the title of this group of psalms.

Sing unto the Lord a new song - As if there was a new and a special occasion for praise.

sing unto the Lord a new song - for a new mercy received, a new victory obtained, or a new salvation wrought; more particularly the new song of redeeming grace through Jesus Christ.

And his praise in the congregation of saints - In the assembly of the people of God. The Israelites, who were, by profession and by injunction, a holy people. Looking ahead to the Christian saints who are partakers of the blessings of divine goodness; are separated and distinguished from others by the grace of God; are sanctified and brought into a Gospel church state; and who gather and assemble together to worship God, and attend upon him in his word and ordinances, and in such assemblies the praises of God are to be sung. Thus Gospel churches are called upon to sing the praises of God among themselves, Ephesians 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  and have Christ for an example going before them, Psalms 22:22  I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 

And his praise in the congregation of saints - The children of Zion have not only to bless the God who made them, but to rejoice in him, as having created them in Christ Jesus unto good works Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. The Lord takes pleasure in his people; they should rejoice in Him. When the Lord has made sinners feel their wants and unworthiness, he will adorn them with the graces of his Spirit, and cause them to bear his image, and rejoice in his happiness for ever. Let his saints employ their waking hours upon their beds in songs of praise. Let them rejoice, even upon the bed of death, assured that they are going to eternal rest and glory.

Psa 149:2  Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Rejoice in him that made him - Him, who has made the people what they are. All that they have and are is to be traced to him, as really as the universe of matter is to be traced to his power. Their condition is not one of development, or one which is the result of their own wisdom, grace, or power. Psalms 100:3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 

Be joyful in their King - In God as their king.

(a) That they have a king, or that there is one to rule over them;

(b) That they have such a king; one so wise, so powerful, so good;

(c) That he administers his government with so much efficiency, impartiality, equity, wisdom, goodness.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him - Let them remember in their exultations to give all glory to the Lord; for he is the Author of their being and their blessings. And let them know that he is their King also; that they should submit to his authority, and be guided and regulated in their hearts and conduct by his laws.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him - Ecclesiastes 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;  therefore had reason to rejoice in him; and so have all the children of God, whom he has chosen, redeemed, and called; every Israelite indeed, all who are the workmanship of God, the people he has formed for himself, and to show forth his praise: these should rejoice in God the Father, who has chosen them in Christ, blessed them with all spiritual blessings in him, sent him to redeem them, has justified them by his righteousness, pardoned their sins through his blood, adopted them and made them heirs of glory; and in the Son of God their Redeemer, they should rejoice in his person, in his righteousness, sacrifice, and fulness; and in the Holy Spirit, who has regenerated and sanctified them, is their Comforter, and the earnest of their future glory;

let the children of Zion be joyful in their King - in his Son, the King Messiah, who is King of Zion; and therefore the children of God, the church, who are born again through the ministry of the word; such should rejoice in Christ, the King of saints; that they have such a King over them, who is the greatest of Kings, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Every appearance of Christ's kingdom is matter of joy to saints; his first coming was as a King, though in a mean and lowly manner; yet joyful to Zion and her children, Zechariah 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. his ascension to heaven, when he was declared Lord and Christ; the pouring forth of his Spirit, and the success of his Gospel in the Gentile world, to the overthrow of Paganism in it, Revelation 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. ; and especially it will be an occasion of great joy to his subjects, when he takes to himself his great power, and reigns, Rev_11:15.

Psa 149:3  Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 

Let them praise his name in the dance - The Hebrew word here - mâchôl - is rendered dancing in Psa_30:11; dance, as here, Psa_150:4; Jer_31:13; Lam_5:15; dances, Jer_31:4. It does not elsewhere occur. Such a movement cannot be proved to be wrong in worship.

Let them praise his name in the dance - In a chorus of saints, joining together in their expressions of joy, by words and gestures; an ancient practice that went along with singing praises, Exo_15:20. The dance is connected with other terms, expressive of the great joy of the occasion.

The harp -  kinnôr. In modern Hebrew, it is considered a lyre, the national instrument of modern Israel. In the bible, it is translated as both harp and lyre, its form uncertain. It is however, a stringed instrument. Another Hebrew word, nevel or nebel, not used in this psalm, has been translated as psaltery or lyre in the bible but in modern Hebrew nevel refers to a small harp.

The harp -  kinnôr. This is a often mentioned stringed instrument in the bible, employed commonly in sacred music. It is often mentioned as having been used to express the pious feelings of David; Psalms 33:2  Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

Psalms 43:4  Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. 

Psalms 49:4  I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. 

 It is early mentioned as having been invented by Jubal; Genesis 4:21  And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. It is supposed usually to have had ten strings. It was played by the hand; 1 Samuel 16:23  And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. The “root” of the word kinnôr, is unknown. The word “kinnor” is used in all the languages cognate to the Hebrew, and is recognized even in the Persian. It is probable that the instrument here referred to was common in all the middle eastern nations, as it seems to have been known before the Flood, and of course the knowledge of it would be extended far.

The harp - kinnôr - is not only mentioned as having been invented by Jubal, but it is also mentioned by Laban in the description which be gives of various solemnities, in regard to which he assures the fleeing Jacob that it had been his wish to accompany him with all the testimonials of joy Genesis 31:27  Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?  In the first age it was consecrated to joy and exultation. Hence, it is referred to as the instrument employed by David to drive away the melancholy of Saul 1Sa_16:16-22, and is the instrument usually employed to celebrate the praises of God; Psa_33:1-2; Psa_43:4; Psa_49:5; Psa_71:22-23. 1 Chronicles explains that the harp was among the instruments played by the Levites for temple music 1 Chronicles 15:16  And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

But the harp was not only used on sacred occasions. Isaiah also mentions it as carried about by courtesans Isa_23:16, and also refers to it as used on occasions of gathering in the vintage, and of increasing the joy of the festival occasion. So also it was used in military triumphs. Under the reign of Jehoshaphat, after a victory which had been gained over the Moabites, they returned in triumph to Jerusalem, accompanied with playing on the harp 2 Chronicles 20:28  And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD. The harp was generally used on occasions of joy. Only in one place, in Isaiah Isa_16:11, is it referred to as having been employed in times of mourning. It was an instrument made of sounding wood, and furnished with strings. Josephus says that it was furnished with ten strings, and was played with the plectrum. David made it out of the berôsh, or fir, and Solomon out of the almug.

The tabret - This was one of the instruments which were struck with the hands. It is more easy to determine its form and use than it is of most of the instruments used by the Hebrews. It was an instrument of wood, hollowed out, and covered over with leather and struck with the hands - a species of percussion instrument. It was sometimes made by merely stretching leather over a wooden hoop, and thus answered to the instrument known among us as the tambourine. Laban wished to accompany Jacob with its sound; Genesis 31:27  Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?  Miriam, the sister of Moses, and the females with her, accompanied the song of victory with this instrument; Exodus 15:20  And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 

Job was acquainted with it Job_17:6; Job_21:12, and David employed it in the festivities of religion; 2 Samuel 6:5  And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. The occasions on which it is mentioned as being used are joyful occasions, and for the most part those who play on it are females, and on this account they are called ‘drum-beating women’ Psa_68:25 - in our translation, ‘damsels playing with timbrels,’ In our translation it is rendered “tabret,” Isa_5:12; 1Sa_10:5; Gen_31:26; Isa_24:8; Isa_30:32; 1Sa_18:6; Eze_38:13; Jer_31:4; Job_17:6; “tabering,” Nah_2:7; and “timbrel,” Psa_81:2; Exo_15:20; Job_21:12; Psa_149:3; Psa_150:4; Jdg_11:34; Psa_68:25. It is no where mentioned as employed in war or warlike transactions. It was in the form of a sieve, and is often found on ancient monuments. In the Middle East, there is now no instrument more common than this.

Psa 149:4  For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people - Let them rejoice on this account. He loves them; he approves their conduct; he bestows his favors upon them. All this should add to their joy, and fill their hearts with gladness. The Hebrew word here rendered “taketh pleasure” means to delight, to take pleasure, to treat favorably, to favor, to accept. It is the opposite of being pained or offended. God takes pleasure in his people. He delights in their welfare; he delights in doing them good.

He will beautify the meek with salvation - The word here rendered beautify means to adorn, to honor, as the sanctuary, Isa_60:7 (rendered glorify); and it here means that the salvation which God would bestow upon them would be of the nature of an ornament, as if they were clothed with costly or splendid raiment. God brings beauty and glory to His chosen people.

He will beautify the meek with salvation - who are humble in heart. Who have been truly humbled under a sense of sin; brought to submit to the righteousness of Christ, and to depend upon the grace of God for salvation; are subject to the yoke of Christ, and patiently submit to the will of God.  They have not external adorning, but God will give them an honor and beauty in salvation which no outward adorning could impart. The humble soul can be exalted, by Jesus, as the redeeming Savior.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people - Not all mankind; though they are all his people by creation, and are under the care of his providence; yet they are not all acceptable to him; some are abhorred by him for their sins and transgressions: but these are a special and peculiar people, whom he has foreknown and chosen, taken into the covenant of his grace, and provided in it blessings for them; whom he has given to Christ, and he has redeemed; and who are called by the Spirit and grace of God, whereby they appear to be his people. John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

Psa 149:5  Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 

Let the saints be joyful in glory - In the favor of God; in the honor which he bestows upon them. Let them rejoice in this; let them shout and triumph over this. Other men rejoice in honor; in wealth; in houses, lands, parks, libraries, works of art: let the saints rejoice in the glory of being the friends of God; in the hope of heaven.

Let the saints be joyful in glory - In the glory put upon them now, being beautified with salvation; in the righteousness of Christ on them, and the grace of Christ in them, which makes them all glorious within; and in the glory they expect to have hereafter, both upon their bodies and souls, and in the hope of that, Romans 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

Let them sing aloud upon their beds - The idea is, that in the meditations of the night, when darkness is around them, when alone with God, they may find occasion for exultation and praise. Their hearts may be full of joy, and alone they may give expression to their joy in songs of praise.

let them sing aloud upon their beds - while others are taking their rest and ease, let them meditate on the word of God; commune with their own hearts about their state and condition; remember the Lord, and his goodness to them; all which give an occasion to give thanks unto him, and sing aloud his praise, Psalms 63:6  When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 

Psa 149:6  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; 

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth - Or "throats"; loudly declared by them. The word "praises" is not in the text, and so may be read, "the high things of God":

And a two-edged sword in their hand - literally, a sword of edges; that is, a sword with an edge on both sides of the blade. They were made for piercing as well as for striking. The word of God is compared to such a sword in Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And in Revelation, Jesus returns with a sword to smite His enemies. Revelation 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 

And a two-edged sword in their hand - Perhaps there is an allusion here to the manner in which the Jews were obliged to labor in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 4:17  They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 

And a two-edged sword in their hand - which is no other than the word of God Ephesians 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: One of its edges is the law, which sharply reproves and menaces for sin, lays open the corruption of their nature, and working wrath in the conscience; it wounds and kills, and is therefore called the letter that kills, 2 Corinthians 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.  The other edge is the Gospel, the defensive weapon in the armor of God that Christians are to arm oneself with. It teaches one to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; it is useful to refute errors, and defend truth: it is a part of the weapons of our spiritual warfare, and it is mighty, but only through God;

Psa 149:7  To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 

To execute vengeance upon the heathen - To inflict punishment upon them as a recompence for their sins. The allusion is, doubtless, to those who had oppressed and injured the Hebrew. They were now to receive the punishment due for the wrongs which they had done to Israel; a just recompence at the hand of God, and by the instrumentality of those whom they had wronged.

To execute vengeance upon the heathen - This may refer simply to their purpose of defending themselves to the uttermost, should their enemies attack them: and they had every reason to believe that God would be with them; and that, if their enemies did attack them, they should be able to inflict the severest punishment upon them.

And punishments upon the people - The people of those lands. Those who had waged war with the Hebrew nation. The destruction of the incorrigibly wicked attends the propagation of God’s truth, so that the military successes of the Jews typified the triumphs of the Gospel.

Punishments upon the people - The unfaithful and treacherous Jews: it appears that many of them had formed alliances with those heathens, which were contrary to the law.

Psa 149:8  To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 

To bind their kings with chains - To make them prisoners and captives. This is but carrying out the idea in the previous verses, of inflicting punishment upon them for the wrongs which they had done to the people of God. The whole idea is in accordance with what is so often expressed in the Psalms - that of inflicting just punishment on the wicked.

And their nobles with fetters of iron - To make them prisoners. That is, to subdue them. Captives in war, even those of elevated rank, were often led in chains to grace the triumph of conquerors.

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron – If these kings, governors of provinces, and chiefs among the people, had attacked them, God would have enabled them to defeat them, take their generals prisoners, and lead them in triumph to Jerusalem.

Psa 149:9  To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. 

To execute upon them the judgment written - Either, that which is written in the law in general as what is threatened to wicked men; or, that which was written for their particular case, or which they were specifically commanded to do. Most probably the reference is to some particular command in this case.

To execute upon them the judgment written - In Deu_7:1, etc., God promises his people complete victory over all their enemies, and over the heathen. God repeatedly promises such victories to his faithful people; and this is, properly speaking, the judgment written, foretold. Deuteronomy 7:1  When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; 

Deuteronomy 7:2  And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: 

This honor have all his saints - It is an honor which pertains to “all the saints” - to all who love and fear God - to be engaged in carrying out or executing his plans. In their own way, and in their own sphere - it may, indeed, be a very humble sphere - but each and all in their own sphere, are engaged in executing the purposes of God. In the duties of a family; in kindness to the poor; in the office of a teacher or a magistrate; in clearing a farm; in cultivating the land; in building a schoolhouse; in founding a church, a college, to provide for the blind, the dumb, the lame, the insane; in contributing to send the gospel abroad over our own land, or among the pagan, or in going to carry that gospel to a benighted world - in some of these ways all who are truly the friends of God, or who are entitled to be enrolled among the “saints of the Lord” are, in fact, carrying out the purposes of the Lord - the “judgments written” to guide mankind; and man’s highest honor here, as it will be in heaven, is to carry out the purposes of the Lord.

This honor have all his saints - They shall all be supported, defended, and saved by the Lord. Israel had this honor, and such victories over their enemies, while they continued faithful to their God. When they relapsed into iniquity, their enemies prevailed against them; they were defeated, their city taken, their temple burnt to the ground, more than a million of themselves slaughtered, and the rest led into captivity; and, scattered through the world.

Praise ye the Lord - Hallelu-jah. It is a subject of praise and thanksgiving, it should lead us to shout Hallelujah, that we are permitted to be employed in any way, however humble, in carrying out the divine plans, or in accomplishing those great designs which he contemplates toward His people.

this honour have all his saints - which is spoken of throughout the psalm; as to be acceptable unto God, and well pleasing in his sight; to be adorned with grace, and beautified with salvation; to have the high praises of God in their mouths, and a two edged sword in their hands, and to do His service.