Psalms 149

Psalms 149:1-9

The yielding of the nations. “When Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:9.) But what a tale that tells for man, that the kingdom of God and of Christ, the one perfect rule for which the earth groans must be introduced after such a manner! Yet it is a “judgment written,” as the psalm before us declares. Divine love must needs execute it: the “iron rod” is in the Shepherd’s hand, and will smite for the salvation of His people, and to “destroy those that destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:18.) This is now what is briefly glanced at, the yielding of the nations to their Creator and King only when their pride is smitten in the dust, and the power they have abused is taken from them. Israel will have their part as instruments in God’s hand in that day, as of old when they took possession of their land, the iniquity of the Amorites being at last full. The dew of Hermon (Israel’s “great white throne”) will revive the mountains of Zion (Psalms 133:3); and they will no more, as in the former time, be disobedient to their God. This must then be the prelude to rest upon earth; the “trumpets of jubilee” sound for the destruction of Jericho; although then; as before, there will be a remnant saved out of it.

1. The call for praise sounds once more: a “new song” is to be upon the lips of Israel. He is to rejoice in Him that made him; and the children of Zion are to be glad in their King. Zion is, as we know, to be the place of His throne, and that throne He is now taking.
2. But they are to praise Him also as their Saviour. He is taking pleasure in His people; and having brought them into the humbled condition necessary for their exaltation, He will beautify the meek with salvation. This is assuredly more than a deliverance from their national foes. though it will include this. And thus they will learn to exult in the Name they have forgotten; and the joy of the Lord will be to them a strength they have never yet possessed. “He that is feeble among them in that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them.” (Zechariah 12:8.)
3. Now they exult in glory; they sing aloud upon their beds. The quiet of their thoughts at the time God has ordained for us to help us to reality shall only make them more ecstatic in their praises. They will have the high praises of the Mighty in their mouth, and in their hand a two-edged sword: for the nations are now to meet the retribution, for long ages of wrong-doing. Their kings, without power to stand, will fall into the hands of these avengers, to be bound and fettered: for it is the judgment written that is now executed, and this is the honor committed to all His saints.