Psalms Chapter 149

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 9 Verses

What is Psalms 149 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Praise ye Jehovah. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, And his praise in the assembly of the saints.
2Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp.
4For Jehovah taketh pleasure in his people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.
5Let the saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds.
6[Let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;
7To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples;
8To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah. Psalm 150

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord, etc.] Or “hallelujah”; the title of the psalm, according to many; 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, the song of the Lamb, in distinction from the old song of Moses and the children of Israel at the Red sea, on account of their deliverance, which was typical of salvation by Christ, the oldest, being the first song we read of; but this is a new one, which none but the redeemed of the Lamb can sing; a song suited to Gospel times, in which all things…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 2
“God had signalized His relation as a sovereign, in restoring them to their land.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord - Margin, Hallelujah. See the notes at Psalms 146:1. Sing unto the Lord a new song - As if there was a new and a special occasion for praise. This would be so if the psalm was composed on the return from the exile; on the rebuilding of the city; and on the re-dedication of the temple. On the meaning of the language, see Psalms 33:3, note; Revelation 5:9, note; Revelation 14:3, note; see also Psalms 96:1; Isaiah 42:10. And his praise in the congregation of saints - In the assembly of the people of God. See Psalms 148:14, note; Psalms 111:1, note. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 4
“The Lord - He rejoiceth over them to do them good. Beautify - Heb. adorn, make them amiable and honourable in the eyes of the world, who now hate and despise them. The meek - All true Israelites are such. Psalms 149:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 149 This hymn of praise celebrates the Lord’s victory. He is the Maker of Israel (149:1-2) and the victorious King who shares his glory with his faithful ones (149:3-9).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord: Heb. Hallelujah, Psa 148:1 Sing: Psa 33:3, Psa 96:1, Psa 98:1, Psa 144:9; Isa 42:10; Rev 5:9 in the congregation: Psa 22:22, Psa 22:25, Psa 68:26, Psa 89:5, Psa 111:1, Psa 116:18; Heb 2:12 Psalms 149:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“A period, in which the church is renewing its youth and drawing nearer to the form it is finally to assume, also of inward necessity puts forth new songs. Such a new era has now dawned for the church of the saints, the Israel that has remained faithful to its God and the faith of its fathers. The Creator of Israel (עשׂיו, plural, with the plural suffix, like עשׂי in Job 35:10, עשׂיך in Isa 54:5, cf. עשׂו in Job 40:19; according to Hupfeld and Hitzig, cf. Ew. 256, b, Ges. 93, 9, singular; but aj, ajich, aw, are always really plural suffixes) has shown that He is also Israel's Preserver and the King of Zion, that…”
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