Christianity

Psalms 149Praise with Dance and Timbrel

Summary

Psalm 149 calls Israel to sing a new song to the LORD in the congregation of saints and to rejoice in its Maker and King. The people are to praise his name in the dance, with timbrel and harp, for the LORD takes pleasure in his people and beautifies the meek with salvation. The second half pictures the saints with the high praises of God in their mouths and a two-edged sword in their hands, executing judgment on the nations and binding their kings with chains.

Key verse

“For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”

Psalms 149:4

Themes

Joyful Worship
God Delights in His People
Dance and Music
Divine Judgment

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Christianity
Exodus 15: Miriam's Timbrel
After the sea crossing, Miriam leads the women with timbrels and dances (Exodus 15:20), the same festive worship Psalm 149:3 calls for.
Christianity
Hebrews 4: Sharper Than Any Two-Edged Sword
Hebrews 4:12 calls the word of God sharper than any two-edged sword, and Christian interpreters have often read Psalm 149's sword spiritually in that light.

Questions about Psalms 149

What is the two-edged sword in Psalm 149?

Psalm 149:6 pictures the faithful holding God's praises in their mouths and a two-edged sword in their hands to carry out his judgment. Many interpreters read it against the background of Israel's ancient wars, while Christian tradition has often taken the sword as the word of God.

Does Psalm 149 approve of dancing in worship?

Psalm 149:3, like Psalm 150:4, calls for praising God's name in the dance with timbrel and harp. It is often cited by traditions that include dance in worship, while others read it as describing ancient festival custom.