INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 149 This psalm is thought by Calvin and others to have been written for the sake of the Jews that returned from the Babylonish captivity; and is a prediction of great and famous things done in the times of the Maccabees to Heathens and their princes, so Theodoret; the Syriac v... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE THE LORD,.... Or "hallelujah"; the title of the psalm, according to many; SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG; for a new mercy received, a new victory obtained, or a new salvation wrought; more particularly the new song of redeeming grace through Jesus Christ, the song of the Lamb, in distincti... [ Continue Reading ]
LET ISRAEL REJOICE IN HIM THAT MADE HIM,.... Or, "in his Makers" i, Father, Son, and Spirit; as in Job 35:10; see also Ecclesiastes 12:1; for all three Persons had a concern in the creation of man at first, "let us make man", c. Genesis 1:26 and have in the formation of every individual man; of the... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM PRAISE HIS NAME IN THE DANCE,.... In a chorus of saints, joining together in their expressions of joy, by words and gestures; an ancient practice that went along with singing praises, Exodus 15:20; or rather, "with the pipe" k, as some render it; a musical instrument used in former times i... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD TAKETH PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE,.... Not all mankind; though they are all his people by creation, and are under the care of his providence; yet they are not all acceptable to him; some are abhorred by him for their sins and transgressions: but these are a special and peculiar people, whom... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE SAINTS BE JOYFUL IN GLORY,.... In the glory put upon them now, being beautified with salvation; in the righteousness of Christ on them, and the grace of Christ in them, which makes them all glorious within; and in the glory they expect to have hereafter, both upon their bodies and souls, and... [ Continue Reading ]
[LET] THE HIGH [PRAISES] OF GOD [BE] IN THEIR MOUTH,.... Or "throats" m; loudly declared by them. The word "praises" is not in the text, and so may be read, "the high things of God" n; or, "the heights of God", as the Septuagint: and these are the perfections of God; as his omniscience, which is kno... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EXECUTE VENGEANCE UPON THE HEATHEN,.... Either upon the Gentile world, in the first times of the Gospel; when the apostles, going there with the twoedged sword of the word, vehemently inveighed against the idolatry of the Heathens, and exhorted them to turn from their idols to serve the living Go... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BIND THEIR KINGS WITH CHAINS, AND THEIR NOBLES WITH FETTERS OF IRON. Which is thought to allude to what was done to the Canaanitish kings, in the times of Joshua; and to the princes of Midian by Gideon; and to Agag by Saul; and to the Ammonites, Syrians, and others, by David: but it refers either... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EXECUTE UPON THEM THE JUDGMENT WRITTEN,.... In the law, according to the Targum; either upon the seven nations of the land of Canaan, Deuteronomy 7:12; or upon all the enemies of God and his people, Deuteronomy 32:41; or rather in the Gospel; which declares, that whoever believes in Christ shall... [ Continue Reading ]