Psalms 149:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 149:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[Let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[Let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;
Psalms 149:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 149

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6[Let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“[Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, etc.] Or “throats”f1975; loudly declared by them. The word “praises” is not in the text, and so may be read, “the high things of God”f1976; or, “the heights of God”, as the Septuagint: and these are the perfections of God; as his omniscience, which is knowledge too high for a creature to attain unto, and even to conceive of; his omnipotence, for high is his right hand; his omnipresence, this is higher than heaven, deeper than hell, its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea; his love, grace, and mercy, which are in the heavens; and his truth and faithfulness, which reach to the clouds; his eternity, immutability, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“high praises--or, "deeds." They shall go forth as religious warriors, as once religious laborers (Neh 4:17).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth - Margin, as in Hebrew, in their throat. Literally, “Praises of God in their throat; and a sword of two edges in their hand.” That is, In the very work of executing the purposes of God on his enemies, there should be the feeling and the language of praise. Their hearts should be full of confidence in God; they should feel that they are engaged in his service; and while they defend themselves, or inflict punishment on the enemies of God, they should chant His praise. The idea is, that even in the work of war they might feel that they were engaged in the service of God, and that the passions usual in war should be subdued and kept under by the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“149:6-9 Vengeance is the Lord’s business (see 2:3; 94:1; 102:20; 142:7; 146:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the high: Psa 96:4; Neh 9:5; Dan 4:37; Luk 2:14; Rev 19:6 mouth: Heb. throat, Psa 115:7, Psa 145:3-5 and a twoedged: Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16 Psalms 149:7”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The glance is here directed to the future. The people of the present have again, in their God, attained to a lofty self-consciousness, the consciousness of their destiny, viz., to subjugate the whole world of nations to the God of Israel. In the presence of the re-exaltation which they have experienced their throat is full of words and songs exalting Jahve (רוממות, plural of רומם, or, according to another reading, רומם, Psa 56:1-13 :17), and as servants of this God, the rightful Lord of all the heathen ( Psa 82:8), they hold in their hand a many-mouthed, i.e., many edged sword (vid., supra, p. 580), in order to take the field on behalf of the true religion, as the Maccabees actually did, not…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification