For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4
Praise for Salvation
Psalm 149, an exuberant call to praise God, was used by the army of Israel as well as by the people in their worship of God. The psalmist summons God’s people to praise Him wholeheartedly for the blessings of salvation and for His justice.
149:1 The call for a new song comes at several points in the Psalms (33:3, 40:3; 144:9). These words encourage more than just novelty; they call for freshness and integrity in performing music. In the assembly of saints: One of the primary emphases in the Book of Psalms is that the praise of God is to take place in the center of the worshiping community. Praise unites the people of God (33:1-3).
1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints.
149:2-5 Maker: Not only is God the Creator of the universe, He is particularly the Creator of His people and their great King. In the temple of the pre-exilic period, sacred dance was an integral aspect of worship. Saints refers to the redeemed who have been made God’s people by His grace. The Hebrew word is related to the term meaning “loyal love.” The saints are those who demonstrate in their lives the characteristics of God whom they serve. On their beds: In some of the festivals of Israel, such as Passover, the people would recline at feast tables as a vivid symbol that they had been redeemed. In the first Passover, the people were to eat standing, ready to travel. The custom had developed for the people to recline at the table, symbolizing their redemption and enjoyment of God’s work in their lives.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.
149:6 two-edged sword: The focus of the psalm switches from the congregation at worship to the army in training. Israel’s army was to be the vanguard to the army in training. Israel’s army was to be the vanguard for the battle of the Lord. Their training was to have a strong component of praise and worship to God.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;
149:9 the written judgment: It is likely that this is a direct reference to the Law in which God decreed His judgment on the peoples of the land of Canaan.
9 To execute on them the written judgment– This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!
** Something “new” is always exciting. Like watching a new day dawning, like driving a new car home after purchasing it. How about a “new” me? What if a whole new me and a brand-new life, instead of a grave, is waiting for us?
The saints are called to be the vanguard. We learn that our MOD is to praise and worship God. I like it better than having to fight with weapons. For, the war is spiritual, fought not against mere men but against the principalities.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
149 1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute on them the written judgment– This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!
