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Psalm 149:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Psalm 149:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Psalm 149[a]
Glorification of God, Lord and Creator
1 [b]Alleluia.
Sing to the Lord a new song,[c]
his praise in the assembly of the saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise his name[d] with dancing
and make music to him with tambourine and lyre.
Footnotes
- Psalm 149:1 The spiritual elite of God’s people rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, weapons at the ready (see Neh 4:11); they put up an unyielding resistance to the persecution of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (see 1 Mac; 2 Mac). They were conscious of defending the rights of God and the right to worship him. This was their glory: Israel was the sword of God against the advance of blasphemous and wicked forces (see Zec 9:13-16). But the images of war foretell victories, those of God’s elect over the forces of evil at the time of the Messiah. The seer of the Book of Revelation will also describe great battles in heaven (see Rev 11:14).
We can pray this psalm for the Church, the new People of God, enduring in this world an ever-difficult existence, an ever-renascent war. She scores blows and gains victories against her spiritual enemies, but never decisive ones. Happily, it is Christ who leads her and animates her in battle in order to ensure victory for her and renew her fervor (see Mt 16:18; 28:20). - Psalm 149:1 The psalmist calls on the people to sing a new song in view of the restoration and the eschatological expectation of the Lord’s complete victory over evil (see Isa 61:2ff; Rev 14:3). The object of praise is the Maker and King of his people, and the devout among them are the beneficiaries of his mighty acts.
- Psalm 149:1 New song: see note on Ps 33:3. Saints: see notes on Pss 4:3; 34:10.
- Psalm 149:3 Name: see note on Ps 5:12. Dancing: which formed part of the liturgy (see Pss 87:7; 150:4; Ex 15:20; 2 Sam 6:14; Jer 31:4).
