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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 149:1-5

We have here, I. The calls given to God's Israel to praise. All his works were, in the foregoing psalm, excited to praise him; but here his saints in a particular manner are required to bless him. Observe then, 1. Who are called upon to praise God. Israel in general, the body of the church (Ps. 149:2), the children of Zion particularly, the inhabitants of that holy hill, who are nearer to God than other Israelites; those that have the word and ordinances of God near to them, that are not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 149:1

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 distinction from the old song of Moses and the children of Israel at the Red sea, on account of their deliverance, which was typical of salvation by Christ, the oldest, being the first song we read... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 149:2

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him ,.... Or, "in his Makers" F9 בעשיו "in factoribus suis", Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. , 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 Israelites as men, and of them as a body politic and ecclesiastic, being raised up, constituted, and formed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 149:3

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" F11 במחול "cum tibia", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Amama. , as some render it; a musical instrument used in former times in the worship of God, in this part of it, praising his name, with those that follow; let them sing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:1

Sing unto the Lord a new song - That is, as we have often had occasion to remark, an excellent song, the best we can possibly pronounce. So the word חדש chadash is often understood; and so the word novus, "new," was often used among the Latin writers: - Pollio amat nostram, quamvis sit rustica, musam. Pollio et ipse facit read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:2

In him that made him - Let them remember in their exultations to give all glory to the Lord; for he is the Author of their being and their blessings. And let them know that he is their King also; that they should submit to his authority, and be guided and regulated in their hearts and conduct by his laws. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:3

Let them praise his name in the dance - במחול bemachol , with the pipe, or some kind of wind music, classed here with תף toph , the tabor or drum, and כנור kinnor , the harp." מחול machol ," says Parkhurst, "some fistular wind-instrument of music, with holes, as a flute, pipe, or fife, from חל chal , to make a hole or opening." I know no place in the Bible where מחול machol and מחלת machalath mean dance of any kind; they constantly signify some kind of pipe. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:1

Verse 1 1.Sing to Jehovah a new song. This exordium proves what I have just said, that the exhortation now given is addressed only to God’s people; for the singular goodness which is particularly extended to them affords more ample matter of praise. The probable conjecture is, that the Psalm was composed at the time when the people were begun to rejoice, or after they had returned to their native country from the Babylonish captivity. We will see from the context that a promise is given of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:2

Verse 2 2.Let Israel rejoice in his Maker. He insists upon the same point, that the Lord’s people should rest firmly persuaded that their family had not been chosen out in vain from the rest of the world, but that God would be mindful of his covenant, and not allow the mercies which he had extended to them to fail or become extinct. Although they had been temporarily deprived of the inheritance of the land of Canaan, which was the pledge of their adoption, the Psalmist calls God their Maker,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 149:1

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. A "new song" on account of a new deliverance (comp. Psalms 33:3 ). The deliverance may have been one of those under Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 4:7-23 ; Nehemiah 6:2-16 ). And his praise in the congregation of saints . The psalm would seem to have been composed for a special thanksgiving service. read more

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