King James Version
Psalms 149
9 verses with commentary
Sing to the Lord a New Song
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Praise: Heb. Halleluiah
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
This verse opens the penultimate psalm of the Psalter with a call to new praise: 'Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of the saints.' The command 'Sing unto the LORD a new song' (shiroh la-Adonai shir hadash) is not about novel composition but about renewed, fresh worship. In biblical terminology, a 'new song' represents praise offered in response to recent or renewed...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **A new song.—**See Psalm 33:3.
**The congregation.**—Apparently the psalm puts us in the Maccabæan age, when the *chasîdîm *was become a regular title for the patriotic party.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23. like the shadow--**(Compare Psa 102:11).
**tossed up and down--**or, "driven" (Ex 10:19).
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let Israel rejoice in him that made him</strong> (יִשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֹשָׂיו)—The verb <em>samach</em> (to rejoice) commands covenant celebration rooted in creation theology. Israel's joy flows not from circumstances but from identity as God's handiwork. <em>Osav</em> (his Maker) recalls Isaiah 43:15 and 54:5, where God is both Creator and Redeemer. This is corporate worship—'Israel' c...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24-25. Taunts and reproaches aggravate his afflicted and feeble state (Psa 22:6, 7).
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. in: or, with the pipe
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let them praise his name in the dance</strong> (יְהַלְלוּ שְׁמוֹ בְמָחוֹל)—<em>Machol</em> (dance) signifies bodily participation in worship, not entertainment but physical expression of spiritual joy. David danced before the ark (2 Samuel 6:14), and Miriam led dancing after the Red Sea deliverance (Exodus 15:20). Praising God's <strong>name</strong> (שֵׁם) means honoring His revealed char...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **In the dance.**—Rather, as margin, *with the pipe. *The use of the word *machôl *in what was evidently a list of all the orchestral instruments used in the Temple in the next psalm, would alone be almost decisive of the meaning. But one possible derivation is certainly in favour of this rendering, as also the translation in the Syriac version by the name of a flute still found in Syria. Its ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24-25. Taunts and reproaches aggravate his afflicted and feeble state (Psa 22:6, 7).
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
This verse reveals the basis for Israel's rejoicing: 'For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.' The phrase 'taketh pleasure in his people' (ratzah YHWH be'amo) echoes verse 11 of Psalm 147 but personalizes it to the entire community rather than just the individual faithful. God's pleasure (ratzon) in His people is foundational. 'He will beautify the mee...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **He will beautify the meek . . .**—Rather, *He adorns the oppressed with salvation. *Not only is the victory which achieves the deliverance of the afflicted people a relief to them, but the honour won in the sight of the world is like a beautiful robe, a figure no doubt suggested by the actual triumphal dresses of the victors, or the spoils in which they appeared after the battle. (Comp. Isai...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
26-27. Let my deliverance glorify Thee (compare Psa 59:13).
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
"Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds." The call: <em>ya'letzu chasidim b'khavod</em> (let exult the faithful ones in glory). <em>Alatz</em> (exult/rejoice/triumph) indicates exuberant joy. <em>Chasid</em> (faithful/godly one); <em>kavod</em> (glory/honor/weight) refers either to the glory God gives His people or glory in God's presence. <em>Yeranenu al mishkevota...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) The two clauses are directly parallel:
“Let the *chasîdîm *raise a cry in glory:
Let them sing aloud upon their couches.”
Either the rejoicing is carried far into the night, and when retired to rest the happy people burst ‘out anew into singing; or (see Hosea 7:14), the couches may rather be the divans where feasts were held.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
26-27. Let my deliverance glorify Thee (compare Psa 59:13).
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; mouth: Heb. throat
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
This verse concludes Psalm 149 with an eschatological call: 'Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand.' The phrase 'high praises of God' (romemuyot Elohim) emphasizes exalted praise, elevated worship. 'In their mouth' suggests that praise becomes the distinguishing characteristic of God's people. The phrase 'and a twoedged sword in their hand' (ve-cherev pi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **High praises**.—Literally, *exaltations of celebration, i.e., *hymns of praise.
**Mouth.**—Rather, *throat.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
28-31. In confidence that God's blessing would come on him, and confusion and shame on his enemies (Psa 73:13), he ceases to regard their curses, and anticipates a season of joyful and public thanksgiving; for God is near to protect (Psa 16:8; 34:6) the poor from all unrighteous judges who may condemn him.
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people</strong>. Celebrates God empowering people to execute judgment. This isn't personal revenge but covenantal warfare where Israel acts as God's instrument (Deuteronomy 7). Christians apply spiritually—warfare against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), with final judgment at Christ's return.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Heathen **. . . **people.—**Rather, *nations *. . . *peoples.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
28-31. In confidence that God's blessing would come on him, and confusion and shame on his enemies (Psa 73:13), he ceases to regard their curses, and anticipates a season of joyful and public thanksgiving; for God is near to protect (Psa 16:8; 34:6) the poor from all unrighteous judges who may condemn him.
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron</strong>. Binding kings symbolizes complete victory. Historically, captured kings were paraded in chains. Spiritually, pictures Christ's victory over powers (Colossians 2:15). Revelation 20:1-3 depicts Satan bound.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
28-31. In confidence that God's blessing would come on him, and confusion and shame on his enemies (Psa 73:13), he ceases to regard their curses, and anticipates a season of joyful and public thanksgiving; for God is near to protect (Psa 16:8; 34:6) the poor from all unrighteous judges who may condemn him.
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints</strong>. "Judgment written" refers to prophetic pronouncements (Isaiah 13-23) and Torah curses. God's people participate in executing decrees. Christians see final fulfillment at Christ's return (Revelation 19), when believers judge with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The judgment written.**—If we knew the exact circumstance which produced the psalm, and had the names of the nobles and princes taken prisoners, we should easily guess at the contents of the “judgment written,” which was, perhaps, some special order, the carrying out of which is celebrated here; or we may think of the judgments against the nation registered here and there in the sacred books...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
28-31. In confidence that God's blessing would come on him, and confusion and shame on his enemies (Psa 73:13), he ceases to regard their curses, and anticipates a season of joyful and public thanksgiving; for God is near to protect (Psa 16:8; 34:6) the poor from all unrighteous judges who may condemn him.