Psalms 149
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Psalms 149
Praise Ye the LORD: Sing Unto the LORD a New Song
1Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 149
Psa 149:1-9. This Psalm sustains a close connection with the foregoing. The chosen people are exhorted to praise God, in view of past favors, and also future victories over enemies, of which they are impliedly assured.
1. (Compare Psa 96:1).
PSALM 149
Psa 149:1-9. This Psalm sustains a close connection with the foregoing. The chosen people are exhorted to praise God, in view of past favors, and also future victories over enemies, of which they are impliedly assured.
1. (Compare Psa 96:1).
The Pulpit Commentary
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. A "new song" on account of a new deliverance (comp. Psa_33:3). The deliverance may have been one of those under Nehemiah (Neh_4:7-23; Neh_6:2-16). And his praise in the congregation of saints. The psalm would seem to have been composed for a special thanksgiving service.
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. A "new song" on account of a new deliverance (comp. Psa_33:3). The deliverance may have been one of those under Nehemiah (Neh_4:7-23; Neh_6:2-16). And his praise in the congregation of saints. The psalm would seem to have been composed for a special thanksgiving service.
2Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. God had signalized His relation as a sovereign, in restoring them to their land.
2. God had signalized His relation as a sovereign, in restoring them to their land.
The Pulpit Commentary
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him; or, "in his Maker" (comp. Psa_95:6). This ground of thankfulness Israel possesses in common with all the rest of mankind; but he has also another exclusive ground—let the children of Zion be joyful in their King (comp. Jdg_8:23; 1Sa_8:7; 1Sa_10:19; 1Sa_12:12, etc.). God, by covenant with Israel, had constituted himself in an especial way their King (Hos_13:10).
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him; or, "in his Maker" (comp. Psa_95:6). This ground of thankfulness Israel possesses in common with all the rest of mankind; but he has also another exclusive ground—let the children of Zion be joyful in their King (comp. Jdg_8:23; 1Sa_8:7; 1Sa_10:19; 1Sa_12:12, etc.). God, by covenant with Israel, had constituted himself in an especial way their King (Hos_13:10).
3Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. in the dance--(Psa 30:11). The dance is connected with other terms, expressive of the great joy of the occasion. The word may be rendered "lute," to which the other instruments are joined.
sing praises--or, sing and play.
3. in the dance--(Psa 30:11). The dance is connected with other terms, expressive of the great joy of the occasion. The word may be rendered "lute," to which the other instruments are joined.
sing praises--or, sing and play.
The Pulpit Commentary
Let them praise his Name in the dance (comp. Psa_150:4). (On the employment of dancing by the Hebrews as a religious exercise, and in their most solemn acts of worship, see Exo_15:20; 2Sa_6:14 -160. Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. (On the toph, or "timbrel," see the comment upon Psa_68:25). It was used to accompany a hymn of rejoicing by Miriam (Exo_15:20), by Jephthah's daughter (Jdg_11:34), and by David (2Sa_6:5).
Let them praise his Name in the dance (comp. Psa_150:4). (On the employment of dancing by the Hebrews as a religious exercise, and in their most solemn acts of worship, see Exo_15:20; 2Sa_6:14 -160. Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. (On the toph, or "timbrel," see the comment upon Psa_68:25). It was used to accompany a hymn of rejoicing by Miriam (Exo_15:20), by Jephthah's daughter (Jdg_11:34), and by David (2Sa_6:5).
4For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. taketh pleasure--literally, "accepts," alluding to acceptance of propitiatory offerings (compare Psa 147:11).
beautify, &c.--adorn the humble with faith, hope, joy, and peace.
4. taketh pleasure--literally, "accepts," alluding to acceptance of propitiatory offerings (compare Psa 147:11).
beautify, &c.--adorn the humble with faith, hope, joy, and peace.
The Pulpit Commentary
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people. God had shown by the mercy, whatever it was (Psa_149:1), recently vouchsafed to his people, that he was well pleased with them, and might be counted on to support and sustain them. He will beautify the meek with salvation. Those who patiently submit to his chastisements God will ultimately "adorn," or "beautify," with his salvation.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people. God had shown by the mercy, whatever it was (Psa_149:1), recently vouchsafed to his people, that he was well pleased with them, and might be counted on to support and sustain them. He will beautify the meek with salvation. Those who patiently submit to his chastisements God will ultimately "adorn," or "beautify," with his salvation.
5Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. in glory--the honorable condition to which they are raised.
upon their beds--once a place of mourning (Psa 6:6).
5. in glory--the honorable condition to which they are raised.
upon their beds--once a place of mourning (Psa 6:6).
The Pulpit Commentary
Let the saints be joyful in glory. Therefore let God's saints at the present time—his restored people, who have just had a fresh deliverance—rejoice, in the "glory" that covers them—rejoice and give God thanks for it. Let them sing aloud upon their beds. Not, as in former days, weeping through the long night (Psa_6:6; Psa_77:2-6), and watering their couches with their tears, but, like Paul and Silas (Act_16:25), singing hymns of praise to God "at midnight" as they rest upon their beds.
Let the saints be joyful in glory. Therefore let God's saints at the present time—his restored people, who have just had a fresh deliverance—rejoice, in the "glory" that covers them—rejoice and give God thanks for it. Let them sing aloud upon their beds. Not, as in former days, weeping through the long night (Psa_6:6; Psa_77:2-6), and watering their couches with their tears, but, like Paul and Silas (Act_16:25), singing hymns of praise to God "at midnight" as they rest upon their beds.
6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. high praises--or, "deeds." They shall go forth as religious warriors, as once religious laborers (Ne 4:17).
6. high praises--or, "deeds." They shall go forth as religious warriors, as once religious laborers (Ne 4:17).
The Pulpit Commentary
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth; literally, in their throat (comp. Isa_58:1). And a two-edged sword in their hand. Some understand this metaphorically. But the weapons of Jewish warfare in Nehemiah's time were thoroughly carnal (Neh_4:13, Neh_4:16, Neh_4:17, Neh_4:18); and against adversaries such as Sanbailat, Geshem, and Tobiah, a nation threatened with extermination is certainly entitled to use the sword.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth; literally, in their throat (comp. Isa_58:1). And a two-edged sword in their hand. Some understand this metaphorically. But the weapons of Jewish warfare in Nehemiah's time were thoroughly carnal (Neh_4:13, Neh_4:16, Neh_4:17, Neh_4:18); and against adversaries such as Sanbailat, Geshem, and Tobiah, a nation threatened with extermination is certainly entitled to use the sword.
7To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. The destruction of the incorrigibly wicked attends the propagation of God's truth, so that the military successes of the Jews, after the captivity, typified the triumphs of the Gospel.
7. The destruction of the incorrigibly wicked attends the propagation of God's truth, so that the military successes of the Jews, after the captivity, typified the triumphs of the Gospel.
The Pulpit Commentary
To execute vengeance upon the heathen. Not private revenge, but the just vengeance which a threatened nation has, from time to time, to execute on its persecutors in self-defense. And punishments upon the people; rather, upon the peoples. A variant of the phrase in the preceding clause, without any serious modification of the meaning.
To execute vengeance upon the heathen. Not private revenge, but the just vengeance which a threatened nation has, from time to time, to execute on its persecutors in self-defense. And punishments upon the people; rather, upon the peoples. A variant of the phrase in the preceding clause, without any serious modification of the meaning.
8To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
The Pulpit Commentary
To bind their kings with chains. Even royal captives were thus treated in the ancient world. Assyrian and Babylonian monarchs always represent their captives, even when kings, as fettered. Nebuchadnezzar "bound Zedekiah with fetters of brass" (2Ki_25:7). Parthia, and later Persia, and even Rome, followed the same practice. And their nobles with fetters of iron. On the monuments, cap-fives below the rank of kings are not often seen "fettered." Their arms, however, are frequently tied together with a cord, and they are fastened one to another by a stout rope.
To bind their kings with chains. Even royal captives were thus treated in the ancient world. Assyrian and Babylonian monarchs always represent their captives, even when kings, as fettered. Nebuchadnezzar "bound Zedekiah with fetters of brass" (2Ki_25:7). Parthia, and later Persia, and even Rome, followed the same practice. And their nobles with fetters of iron. On the monuments, cap-fives below the rank of kings are not often seen "fettered." Their arms, however, are frequently tied together with a cord, and they are fastened one to another by a stout rope.
9To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. the judgment written--either in God's decrees, or perhaps as in De 32:41-43.
this honour--that is, to be thus employed, will be an honorable service, to be assigned
his saints--or, godly ones (Psa 16:3).
9. the judgment written--either in God's decrees, or perhaps as in De 32:41-43.
this honour--that is, to be thus employed, will be an honorable service, to be assigned
his saints--or, godly ones (Psa 16:3).
The Pulpit Commentary
To execute upon them the judgment written. The allusion is probably to Deu_32:41, Deu_32:42, where God announces the judgments that he will execute upon the oppressors of his people. This honor have all his saints; rather, a glory is this to all his saints. "The victories of their Lord reflect glory on all his faithful and devoted servants" (Kay.). Praise ye the Lord (comp. Deu_32:1).
To execute upon them the judgment written. The allusion is probably to Deu_32:41, Deu_32:42, where God announces the judgments that he will execute upon the oppressors of his people. This honor have all his saints; rather, a glory is this to all his saints. "The victories of their Lord reflect glory on all his faithful and devoted servants" (Kay.). Praise ye the Lord (comp. Deu_32:1).
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 149
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
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“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — PSALM 119:105