Psalms 149

An exhortation to thanksgiving for Gods favourableness to his Church, and her overcoming, which she obtained through his grace and power.

1. Hallelu-Jah. Sing unto the LORD a new song; [See Psalm 33. The Annot.on verse 3.] let his praise be in the Congregation of (his) Favourites. [the Word (his) is inserted here; as also v.5. out of v.9. here is meant the Church of God, which is an assembly of his Elect.]

2. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: [Hebr. In his makers. Gen.1.26. and Chron.20.on verse 13. Job.35.10. Eccles.12.1. Isa.54.5. God did not onely create Israel, but chose them likewise for his own peculiar people] let the children of Zion be glad over their King. [Or by reason of their King; viz. Christ; Canticles, 1.4. Matthew, 21.5. whose Type David was.]

3. Let them praise his Name upon the Flute; [Others, in dancing-rings, as Psalms 30:12. and 150.4. Jerem.31.4,13.] let them sing Psalms upon the Timbrel and Harp.

4. For the LORD is well pleased with his people; he shall adorn the meek with salvation. [i.e. he makes them glorious, after that he hath rescued and exalted them; yea, he shall bring them to the enjoinment of the everlasting joy and salvation.]

5. Let his Favourites exult (leap up) for joy, for the verse foreging] let them shout upon their couches. [on which they lie soft and rest themselves, God protecting and keeping them. See Psalms 3:6. the sence is: They shall praise the LORD, by day and by night, even when they lie upon their beds.]

6. The exaltations of God, i.e. the songs of praises, whereby they are to exalt the great and glorious works of God. Others, the elevations, viz. Of the voice, i.e. the preaching of Gods Word] shall be in their throat; [i.e. shall be uttered and proclaimed with a loud resounding voice; as Isa.58.1.] and a two-edged sword in their hand: [Heb. The sword of the mouths, i.e. with two mouths or edges; as Jud.3.16. See the Annot. There. This two edged sword, is the Word of God. And it proceedeth out of the mouth of Christ; and with this sword the godly overcome the Devil, the World, and all the powers of this world, 2 Cor.10.4. Eph.6.17. Heb.4.12. Revel.1.16.]

7. To do vengeance [viz. With words, as John 16:8. etc.] over the heathen: and reproofs over the nations; [this is done, by preaching against the idolatry and impiety of the Heathen and unbelievers, as Acts 14:15. and 17.16,17,22. Etc. Compare this with Isa.41.15. and with 2 Cor.10.4,5.]

8. For to bind their Kings with chains: [viz. By preaching of repentance, and by binding their sins, bringing them thus under the yoak and subjection of the Gospel. See Isa.45.14. Psalms 2:3. Mark.6.20. Acts 24:26. Revel.21.24.] and their honourable with iron fetters.

9. For to do the Written right over them: [i.e. for to acquit, or absolve them from their idolatry, and other sins, if they repent uprightly; but if they remain obstinate in their impenitency, to denounce unto them eternal death and condemnation, according to the tenor of the Word of God, revealed unto us in the books of holy Scripture.] This shall be the Glory of all his favourites. Hallelu-Jah.