Psalms 149

Hallelujah. (See cxlvi.) Theodoret thinks this Psalm was made for them that, after their return from captivity, had many opposers; but, by the Divine assistance, overcame them: and that it is a prediction of those great things which w T ere done by the Maccabees. Certain it is, that some signal victory was the occasion of it; and thence St. Chrysostom hath here given us a full account, I think, of the meaning of a new song: which, according to the use of the word new in other places, (when they would express a thing very wonderful, sudh as hath not been* seen nor heard of before, Numb. xvi. 30. Jer. xxxxi. 22.) he takes to denote an illustrious and famous hymn, made for victories, for great achievements and trophies. Which were never more remarkable in this nation than in the days of David; and therefore this Psalm may very well relate to his reign; who subdued several kingdoms, which had stood out, and would not submit to Israel till his time, though God had promised to give their countries to them, (Gen. xv. 18. Exod. xxiii. 31. 2 Sam. viii. 1, 2, &c. x. 19.) The interpretation which I have given of the sixth verse, need not seem strange to any one; who considers that it hath been and is the custom of all nations, to stir up themselves to fight by the sound of some musical instrument or other. “The ancient inhabitants of Etruria (saith Clemens Alcxandrinus, in the second book of his Ppedagogus, cap. 4.) used the trumpet for this purpose; the Arcadians the whistle; the Sicilians an instrument called pectids; the Cretans the harp; the Lacedemonians the pipe; theThraciansthe cornet; the Egyptians the drum; the Arabians the cymbal:” but it was proper to the Israelites to go forth against their enemies, singing psalms of praise to God, (as we read, 2 Chron. xx. 21, 22.) who had given great victories to their ancestors, and had promised never to forsake their posterity; while they served him only, and piously confided in him. Vcr. 4. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: lie will beautify the meektvith salvation.’] For the Lord taketh pleasure in doing good unto his people: and will not only deliver them after they have been oppressed many years; but, if they meekly depend upon him, make them as great and illustrious, as they have been contemptible and mean, (1 Chron. xiv. 2.)

Psalms 149:1

Jr RAISE ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song f and his praise in the congregation of saints. Sing a new hymn unto the Lord, for the’fresh and singular benefits he hath bestowed upon us: let him be praised not only in private, but in the public assemblies of those who have received special marks of his favour to them.

Psalms 149:2

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children ofZion be joyful in their King. Let all the Israel-, ites-rejoice in him that made them his peculiar people; and hath now raised them to great splendour amonig the nations of the world: let the inhabitants of Zion, more particularly, be exceeding glad, that the Lord, who is our king, hath there settled his royal throne, (2 Sam. v. 9. vi. 12.)

Psalms 149:3

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. Let them leap for joy, and unanimously praise his most excellent majesty, in their dances to the flute: (2 Sam. vi. 16.) let them testify their gratitude to him, by singing psalms, with the timbrel and the harp.

Psalms 149:5

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Which shall fill the hearts of good men (who are dear to him) with the highest triumph, in the honour that he hath done them: and make them shout for joy in the security and peace he shall bestow upon them. Vcr. 6. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged szvord in their hand.] Which they shall not douht to maintain against all opposers; for in assured hope of victory they shall go to war, with psalms and hymns in their mouths, concerning the great acts of the Lord: which they shall courageously sing with a loud voice, when they shall fall upon their enemies; and prefer to the two-edged sword which they carry in their hand.

Psalms 149:7

To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people. Wherewith they shall take a just revenge upon the heathen, for all the injuries they have done us: and so chastise the insolence of the people, that they shall fear again to molest us, (1 Chron. xiv. 17.)

Psalms 149:8

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron. For their victories shall be’so complete, that they shall not only rout their enemies and put them to flight, but lead away their kings captive in chains; and take their great captains and commanders prisoners, and keep them fast in fetters of iron.

Psalms 149:9

To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord. In order to the executing upon them the judgment which God hath long ago decreed, and is recorded in his law, (Deut. vii. 24. xxxii. 41 — 43.) This is the honour which all Israel shall have, when they are in favour with God; and such shall be their glorious victories, and such hymns and melodious songs shall they sing, saying; Hallelujah, praise the Lord, by whose power and might we have done all this.