> [[psalm-148|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-150|Next →]] --- # Psalm 149 ## Praise God with Song and Sword 1 Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in its maker, the people of Zion rejoice in their king. 3 Let them praise his name in dance, make music with tambourine and lyre. 4 For the LORD takes delight in his people, honors the poor with victory. 5 Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, cry out for joy on their couches, 6 With the praise of God in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hands, 7 To bring retribution on the nations, punishment on the peoples, 8 To bind their kings in shackles, their nobles in chains of iron, 9 To execute the judgments decreed for them— such is the glory of all God’s faithful. Hallelujah! \* (Psalm 149) A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance ([Ps 149:1] – [3], [5]) because God has chosen them and given them victory ([Ps 149:4]). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command ([Ps 149:6] – [9]). \* (149:3) Make music with tambourine and lyre: the verse recalls the great exodus hymn of ([[exodus-15|Ex 15]]:20]. \* (149:5) On their couches: the people reclined to banquet. \* (149:9) The glory: what brings honor to the people is their readiness to carry out the divine will, here conceived as punishing injustice done by the nations. a. (149:1) ([[psalm-22|Ps 22]]:23]; [26:12]; [35:18]; [40:10]; [[judith-16|Jdt 16]]:1. b. (149:3) [Ps 68:26]; [81:2] – [3]; [87:7]; [150:3] – [4]. c. (149:6) [Neh 4:10] – [12]; [[2-maccabees-15|2 Mc 15]]:27. d. (149:7) ([[wisdom-03|Wis 3]]:8]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-148|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-150|Next →]]