Psalm 149
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 149[a]
Praise God with Song and Sword
1 Hallelujah!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.(A)
2 Let Israel be glad in its maker,
the people of Zion rejoice in their king.
3 Let them praise his name in dance,
make music with tambourine and lyre.[b](B)
4 For the Lord takes delight in his people,
honors the poor with victory.
5 Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
cry out for joy on their couches,[c]
6 With the praise of God in their mouths,
and a two-edged sword in their hands,(C)
7 To bring retribution on the nations,
punishment on the peoples,(D)
8 To bind their kings in shackles,
their nobles in chains of iron,
9 To execute the judgments decreed for them—
such is the glory[d] of all God’s faithful.
Hallelujah!
Footnotes
- Psalm 149 A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9).
- 149:3 Make music with tambourine and lyre: the verse recalls the great exodus hymn of Ex 15:20.
- 149:5 On their couches: the people reclined to banquet.
- 149:9 The glory: what brings honor to the people is their readiness to carry out the divine will, here conceived as punishing injustice done by the nations.
Psalm 149
New International Version
Psalm 149
2 Let Israel rejoice(D) in their Maker;(E)
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.(F)
3 Let them praise his name with dancing(G)
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.(H)
4 For the Lord takes delight(I) in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.(J)
5 Let his faithful people rejoice(K) in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.(L)
6 May the praise of God be in their mouths(M)
and a double-edged(N) sword in their hands,(O)
7 to inflict vengeance(P) on the nations
and punishment(Q) on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters,(R)
their nobles with shackles of iron,(S)
9 to carry out the sentence written against them—(T)
this is the glory of all his faithful people.(U)
Praise the Lord.
Footnotes
- Psalm 149:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9
Psalm 149
King James Version
149 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.
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