Psalm 149:5-9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:8

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron - That is, if these kings, governors of provinces, and chiefs among the people, had attacked them, God would have enabled them to defeat them, take their generals prisoners, and lead them in triumph to Jerusalem. It is certain also that in the times of the Maccabees the Jews had many signal victories over the Samaritans, Philistines, and Moabites; and over Antiochus, king of Syria. See the Books of the Maccabees. To these... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:9

To execute upon them the judgment written - In Deuteronomy 7:1 , etc., God promises his people complete victory over all their enemies, and over the heathen. God repeatedly promises such victories to his faithful people; and this is, properly speaking, the judgment written, i.e., foretold. This honor have all his saints - They shall all be supported, defended, and saved by the Lord. Israel had this honor, and such victories over their enemies, while they continued faithful to their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:5

Verse 5 5.They shall rejoice. In making mention here of joy, jubilee, and the high praises of God, he shows still more clearly from the effects which it would produce, that he does not speak of a common benefit of God; for had not the deliverance of the people been of a remarkable kind, there would have been no occasion for such joy, and even triumph. And by these expressions he intimates that the people would not be brought back from exile to be immediately dispersed again, but to flourish in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:7

Verse 7 7.To execute vengeance, etc. Both during their exile and after their return from it, this might seem to be altogether incredible. Nor did it take place before the advent of Christ; for though the Machabaei and their posterity reduced the neighboring nations to subjection, this was but a faint prelude and earnest to direct the thoughts of the Lord’s people to what was approaching. But as Haggai prophesied that the glory of the second Temple would be greater than of the first, so here... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:8

Verse 8 The next verse, where mention is made ofkings and nobles, is an amplification; for had he only spoken of peoples and nations, this might have been restricted to the common people and men of low condition. Here is something much greater — that kings and others of noble rank would be dragged to punishment in chains. But it is to be remembered, as I have just hinted, that but a small part of this splendid prospect was realized until Christ appeared; for any small increase of prosperity... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 149:9

Verse 9 9.To perform the judgment, etc. He qualifies what he had said in the previous verses, in which he might have appeared to arm the Lord’s people for deeds of warlike cruelty. At first sight it might appear strange, that they who were called the merciful ones of God, should be sent out with drawn swords to commit slaughter, and pour out human blood; for what evidence was here of mercy? But when God himself is the author of the vengeance taken, it is just judgment, not cruelty. When mention... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 149:1-5

The voice of praise. "Breathes the spirit of intense joy and eager hope in the period which succeeded the return from Babylon. The poet saw in their return so signal a proof of the Divine favor, that he regarded it as a pledge of a glorious future yet in store for the nation. But language like that of Psalms 149:6-9 is no warrant for the exhibition of a similar spirit in the Christian Church." I. A NEW ERA IN THE LIFE OF THE NATION OR INDIVIDUAL FURNISHES NEW ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 149:1-9

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 149:1-9

God's pleasure in us, and ours in him. The more particularly inviting passage is found in the fourth verse; but those before and after are also suggestive. Taking them first, and that last, we have— I. THE CONSTANCY OF OCCASION FOR PRAISING GOD . ( Psalms 149:1 .) The " new song" of the psalmist is surely not a fresh composition, though we may well be thankful for the new hymnologist, and consider him a very valuable gift of God to the Church; but it is rather the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 149:5

Let the saints be joyful in glory . Therefore let God's saints at the present time—his restored people, who have just had a fresh deliverance—rejoice, in the "glory" that covers them—rejoice and give God thanks for it. Let them sing aloud upon their beds . Not, as in former days, weeping through the long night ( Psalms 6:6 ; Psalms 77:2-6 ), and watering their couches with their tears, but, like Paul and Silas ( Acts 16:25 ), singing hymns of praise to God "at midnight" as they rest... read more

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