The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 149
In brief
Psalm 149 calls God's people to sing a new song, with dancing, tambourine and harp, because the LORD takes pleasure in his people and beautifies the humble with salvation. The second part is surprising: high praises in the mouth and a two-edged sword in the hand. Readings differ: judgment of the nations, God's victory over evil, or spiritual combat through the word.
The chapter in 3 parts
1Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.
2Let Israel rejoice in him who made them. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
4For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation.
5Let the saints rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds.
6May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
7to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;
8to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9to execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this honor. Praise Yah!
Key verses
Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.
The psalm begins with a call to sing a new song in the assembly of the faithful. Praise is personal, but it is also lived in community.
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
Praise includes dancing, tambourine and harp. The Bible presents worship that involves the body and music.
For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation.
The verse gives the foundation of joy: God takes pleasure in his people and beautifies the humble with salvation. Praise answers what God is and does for the lowly.
May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
High praises and the two-edged sword are joined together. God's word is often compared to a sword in the New Testament, which leads many readers to read this verse as an image of spiritual combat.
to execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this honor. Praise Yah!
The judgment is written, that is, decided by God. The glory goes to his faithful ones, who are associated with his victory rather than invited to personal vengeance.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 149
What does Psalm 149 mean?
Psalm 149 calls God's people to praise him with joy, because God takes pleasure in his people and saves the lowly. It then links this praise with a two-edged sword and the judgment of the nations, which expresses God's victory over evil. It has served as a rallying song in many eras, with the risk of being misunderstood.
What does the two-edged sword of Psalm 149 mean?
Opinions differ. Some see an image of Israel's military victory, others an announcement of God's final judgment on the nations. Many Christians connect it with the word of God, described as sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). In every case, the Bible does not make it a license for personal violence.
How do you pray Psalm 149?
Read verses 1 to 5 as a song of joy: thank God for taking pleasure in you, even when you feel small. Sing to him, alone or in a group. For verses 6 to 9, ask him to make his word your weapon in spiritual combat, and entrust to him justice toward those who wrong you.
Articles quoting Psalm 149
World English Bible translation — public domain.