Psalms 149
HAWEISPsalms 149:1-5
This is a hymn of praise to the Redeemer; for whatever victory gave the immediate occasion, we must in it look forward to the kingdom of the Messiah, who, in the charter of the everlasting gospel, goes forth conquering and to conquer. Here is, 1. Abundance of joy to all the people of God, ver. 1-5. 2. Abundance of terror to the proudest of their enemies, ver. 6-9.
- Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise on the congregation of saints. 2. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timber and harp. 4. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
The contemplation on new wonders of God’s hand calls for a new song of praise. The place appointed is the constipation of the power; for when we assemble for public worship, praise is the noblest part of it, and therein should all join. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him, or, in his makers, the eternal Three, whoever is not only to make the pagans, or to form the people of Israel into a nation, but to create in righteousness and true holiness the spiritual Israel, which in the most enlarged matter of our joy; and let the children of Zion, the living members of Christ’s church, be joyful in their King, Messiah, exalted to the throne of glory, and ever-living to bells and make his people happy. Let them, these redeemed souls, praise his name on the feared dance, which on solemn occasions was
used; or with the pipe: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp, as expressive of that sweeter melody they made unto God in their hearts, and without which the other were but propitious. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: they are his in the Son of his eternal love; he admits them into communion with himself, accepts their services, delights in their persons. He will beautify the meek with salvation, who, lowly in their own eyes, are led to Jesus for salvation. These he beautifies with the robe of the Redeemer’s righteousness, with the grace of his Spirit, and shortly will bring them where, perfected in holiness and happiness, they shall shine as the stars in the firmament for ever and ever. Therefore let the saints, for this is their honoured character, however in the world the name be ridiculed, let the saints be joyful in glory; adorned as they are, and in hope of what they shall be; or gloriously, with exceeding great joy. Let them sing aloud upon their beds, not ashamed of being heard, but triumphing in the salvation of God, when they awake at midnight, when they lie on beds of sickness, or go down to the dust of death; and well may they sing who have nothing to fear, every thing to hope, every for vanquished, the fling of death removed, the gates of heaven opened, and glory, honour, and immortality in full prospect before them. Lord give me to share in this felicity of thy chosen! Open thou my mouth, and my lips shall shew forth thy praise!
Heb. Thirint. Heb. iv. 24. Rev. 1. 28. Deut. vii. 1. 2. PC. calvin. 14.
- Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; 7. To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8. To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9. To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalms 149:6-9
The victories of God’s Israel are great and distinguished, and therefore their praises are loud and joyful. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, or, the high things, his glorious perfections, which are to be celebrated by them; and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; either literally to avenge the wrongs done to God’s people by the neighbouring nations, now justly smitten with the irresistible sword of David and his army; or, spiritually it may be interpreted of the sword of the Spirit, Eph. vi. 17. Heb. iv. 12, which is sharp and piercing, convincing the conscience of sin, cutting down all human righteousness, and threatening eternal death to the soul. With this word in their mouths the apostles and preachers went forth, to fight against heathen idolatry and superstition, and to rebuke the people for their abominations: and the powerful effects of it soon appeared in the demolition of the idols and their temples, and the conversion of the Gentiles to God, who turned at their reproof. To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron, as Joshua and David had done by their conquered foes: or rather, as Christ hath done, and will do, by his enemies, binding Satan in chains from hurting his people, and destroying the antichristian powers that oppress them: or by the effectual power of his grace, drawing the hearts of sinners, even some of highest rank, in chains of love to him, stronger than fetters of iron. To execute upon them the judgment written; on the nations of Canaan, (See Deut. vii. 2.) or rather, upon all the enemies of Christ and his people, who reject the warnings of his word, and therefore must perish everlastingly, Mark xvi. 16. This honour have all the saints: all the blessings in this psalm recited are theirs; they shall be glorious in the eyes of God; rejoice in his
salvation; and, sitting down with Christ on his throne, for all their enemies at the last become their foothold; and in the prospect of that great day they may well cry, Hallelujah!