Psalms 149:3

in the dance This, and not pipe(A.V. marg.), is the right rendering here and in Psalms 150:4. Dancing was a natural expression of joy among the Jews as among other nations of antiquity, in all periods of their history, on occasions of religious as well as secular festivity. Cp. Exodus 15:20; Jdg 11:34; 2 Samuel 6:14; Jeremiah 31:4; and for a description of the torch-dance, which formed part of the festivities of the Feast of Tabernacles in the later post-exilic period, see Delitzsch in the Expositor, 1886 (2), pp. 81 ff.; Hastings" Dict. of Bible, 1. 550. Even the leading men of the city and famous teachers joined in it, and it was a current proverb that he who had not seen this joy had not seen any joy in his life.

timbrel The tambourine, or hand drum, frequently mentioned in connexion with dances and processions (Psalms 68:25).