Psalm 149

Introduction.—Ps. 149 is the fourth of the Hallelujah psalms (see Introduction to Ps. 146). The tone of the psalm is jubilant and joyful. On the authorship of the psalm, see FE 371.

1. New song. God desires His saints to renew their spiritual experience day by day (see Luke 9:23; 2 Cor. 4:16). With each renewed consecration should come a new song. Inasmuch as God’s mercies are new to us every morning, our gratitude and thanksgiving should be new also.

Saints. Heb. chasidim (see Additional Note on Ps. 36).

3. In the dance. The sacred dance of holy joy was a thing apart from the frivolous or debasing dances of the present day (see on 2 Sam. 6:14).

The timbrel. A small hand drum (see p. 30).

5. Sing aloud. Heb. ranan, “to give a ringing cry of joy.” The vigor of the language indicates the strength of David’s convictions in this matter.

6. Twoedged sword. On vs. 6–9 see Additional Note on Joshua 6; see also on 2 Chron. 22:8; Ps. 44:9.

9. Praise ye the Lord. The psalm closes with another “hallelujah” (see v. 1; see on Ps. 146:1, 10; 147:20; 148:14).

Ellen G. White comments

4 MB 32; ML 253; SL 13