Psalms 149

Chapter Summary

A hymn calling Israel to sing a new song to the Lord with dancing and tambourine. The Lord takes pleasure in his people and adorns the humble with salvation. The saints are to praise him with a two-edged sword to execute judgment on nations — an image that has received both literal and metaphorical interpretation.

1Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of 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 the timbrel and harp.

4For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

5Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

7To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

8To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

9To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.