John Calvin Commentary Psalms 149:7

"To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples;" — Psalms 149:7 (ASV)

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 Maccabees and their posterity reduced the neighboring nations to subjection, this was but a faint prelude and foretaste 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 that of the first, so here a more prosperous state than had ever existed is promised (Haggai 2:9). Reduced as the Jews were in numbers, and low as the state of things was among them, the Psalmist announces to all nations that opposed and troubled them, that they would have the ascendancy.

As they were still tributary, and dwelt in Jerusalem only by permission, they were called to exercise faith in a promise that, from a purely human perspective, might appear visionary, and to raise their thoughts to the infinite power of God, which triumphs over all worldly obstacles. The vengeance spoken of is such as the Israelites would take, not under the influence of private resentment, but by commandment of God; and we mention this so that no one may infer that they are allowed to take vengeance for personal injuries.

The next verse, where mention is made of kings 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 only a small part of this splendid prospect was realized until Christ appeared; for any small increase of prosperity that the people enjoyed under the Maccabees was not worthy of any consideration, except insofar as by this help God sustained the drooping spirits of the people until Christ’s advent. Here the prediction of Jacob is to be noticed —

the scepter shall not depart from Judah, until Shiloh come (Genesis 49:10).

But the Maccabees sprang from another tribe. We must, therefore, infer that the regular order was then interrupted, and that to consider the prosperous state of the people as based upon their victories is building a castle in the air. And God would appear to have intentionally removed the government from the tribe of Judah, lest this success should intoxicate the minds of his people; for most of them, through pride in these signal victories, overlooked the true and substantial deliverance. As the Psalmist here treats of the perfection of the people's prosperity, it follows that he refers to the Messiah, so that their expectation and desire for him might never cease, either in their prosperity or adversity.