Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 149

Praise ye the Lord — Margin, Hallelujah. See the notes at Psalm 146:1.

Sing unto the Lord a new song — As if there was a new and special occasion for praise. This would be so if the psalm was composed on the return from the exile; on the rebuilding of the city; and on the re-dedication of the temple. On the meaning of the language, see Psalm 33:3, note; Revelation 5:9, note; Revelation 14:3, note; see also Psalm 96:1; Isaiah 42:10.

And his praise in the congregation of saints — In the assembly of the people of God. See Psalm 148:14, note; Psalms 111:1, note.

Let Israel - The people of Israel; the Hebrew people; the people of God.

Rejoice in Him that made him - Him, who has made the people what they are. All that they have and are is to be traced to Him, as really as the universe of matter is to be traced to His power. Their condition is not one of development, or one which is the result of their own wisdom, grace, or power. See the notes at Psalms 100:3: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves. .

Let the children of Zion - Those who dwell in Zion or Jerusalem.

Be joyful in their King - In God as their King.

1. That they have a King, or that there is one to rule over them;
2. That they have such a King; one so wise, so powerful, so good;
3. That He administers His government with so much efficiency, impartiality, equity, wisdom, goodness. .

Let them praise his name in the dance — Margin, with the pipe. The Hebrew word here — מחול mâchôl — is rendered "dancing" in Psalms 30:11; "dance," as here, in Psalms 150:4 (where the margin also has "pipe"), Jeremiah 31:13, and Lamentations 5:15; and "dances" in Jeremiah 31:4. It does not occur elsewhere. On the verb חול chûl — see Psalms 10:5, note; Psalms 51:5, note. Here, it cannot be improper to regard it as referring to that measured tread or solemn movement which sometimes constituted a part of worship (2 Samuel 6:14). Such a movement cannot be proved to be wrong in worship; whether it is wise or expedient is a different matter.

Customs in worship change as the customs of a people change. That which might be very proper in one stage of society, or in one period of the world, though not wrong in itself, might be very unadvisable in another. There was much in the Hebrew mode of worship which cannot be transferred to the forms of Christian worship without an obvious incongruity and disadvantage. Because a thing has been done, and is not in itself wrong, we should not infer that it should always be done, or that it would always be best.

If people like the Shakers dance in worship, they have an undoubted right to do so. It may be the most edifying mode of worship for them, with their low notions of religion. Let others not ridicule them, nor go to see them out of idle curiosity as they would any other “outré” performance.

Such absurdities might soon die away if they were not kept alive by the notice they attract and by the foolish curiosity of wiser people. Some things are more certain to come to an end by neglect than they could by sober argument. Some things live merely because they are ridiculed, and because those who practice them are exalted into prominence by their own folly and by the idea that they are martyrs.

Let them sing praises to him with the timbrel and harp — On these instruments, see the notes at Isaiah 5:12; notes at Job 21:12; notes at Psalms 68:25; notes at Psalms 81:2.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people — Let them rejoice on this account. He loves them; he approves their conduct; he bestows his favors upon them. All this should add to their joy, and fill their hearts with gladness. Compare the notes at (Psalms 35:27). The Hebrew word here rendered "taketh pleasure" conveys the idea of complacency, satisfaction, delight. It is the opposite of being pained or offended. God has complacency in his people. He delights in their welfare; he delights in doing them good.

He will beautify the meek with salvation — The word here rendered "beautify" means to adorn, to honor, as the sanctuary (Isaiah 60:7) (rendered "glorify"); and it here means that the salvation which God would bestow upon them would be of the nature of an ornament, as if they were clothed with costly or splendid clothing. Compare (Psalms 132:16). The word "meek" here means humble or lowly, and may refer to those who are humble in rank or condition, or those who are humble in heart. Perhaps the two ideas are here combined. They have not external adorning, but God will give them an honor and beauty in salvation which no outward adorning could impart.

Let the saints be joyful in glory – In the glory of their condition, in the favor of God, in the honor which He bestows on them. Let them rejoice in this; let them shout and triumph over this. Other people rejoice in honor, in wealth, in houses, lands, parks, libraries, and works of art: let the saints rejoice in the glory of being the friends of God, in the hope of heaven. Compare Psalm 84:11.

Let them sing aloud upon their beds – Compare Job 35:10 (note); Acts 16:25 (note); Psalms 34:1 (note). The idea is that in the meditations of the night, when darkness is around them, when alone with God, they may find occasion for exultation and praise. Their hearts may be full of joy, and alone they may give expression to their joy in songs of praise.