Psalm 149: Israel, praise the Lord

[Preliminary Comments: This psalm moves away from the whole creation seen in the previous two psalms, but focuses very much on Israel, His chosen people, who are called to praise Him [v.1] and rejoice in who He has made them to be [v.2,3] because He delights in them [v.4,5]. As they do this they are to rise up and bring the rest of the world into subjection to Him [v.6-9].

v.1 Specifically a song of praise for the faithful ones in His presence

v.1 Praise the Lord.

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

v.2,3 For Israel to rejoice and praise in who He has made them to be

v.2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
v.3 Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

v.4,5 His people to sing and rejoice in being His delight

v.4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
v.5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honour
    and sing for joy on their beds.

v.6-9 His people to be praise Him AND bring all others in subjection to Him

v.6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
v.7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
v.8 to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron,
v.9 to carry out the sentence written against them –
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

[Additional Comments: Nearing the end of this book, the psalmist focuses huis Jewish readers, reminding them of who they are and their calling, as they praise and rejoice in the Lord.

After perhaps going back and meditating on individual verses, now read it meaningfully out loud straight through

1 Praise the Lord.

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honour
    and sing for joy on their beds.

6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron,
9 to carry out the sentence written against them –
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: