This belongs to the group of psalms already referred to Ps. 146–150, each beginning and ending with a “Hallelujah,” and probably composed after the return from the captivity, and the rebuilding of the walls of the city and the second temple. This psalm would be eminently appropriate to such an occas... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE THE LORD - Margin, Hallelujah. See the notes at Psalms 146:1. SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG - As if there was a new and a 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 tem... [ Continue Reading ]
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 deve... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Psalms 150:4 (where also the margin has pipe); Jeremiah 31:13; Lamentations 5:15; dances, Jeremiah 31:4. It does not elsewhere occur. On the ve... [ Continue Reading ]
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 pl... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE SAINTS BE JOYFUL IN GLORY - In the glory of their condition; in the favor of God; in the honor which he bestows upon them. Let them rejoice in this; let them shout and triumph over this. Other men rejoice in honor; in wealth; in houses, lands, parks, libraries, works of art: let the saints r... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE HIGH PRAISES OF GOD BE IN THEIR MOUTH - Margin, as in Hebrew, in their throat. Literally, “Praises of God in their throat; and a sword of two edges in their hand.” That is, In the very work of executing the purposes of God on his enemies, there should be the feeling and the language of prais... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EXECUTE VENGEANCE UPON THE HEATHEN - To inflict punishment upon them as a recompence for their sins. The word pagan here means nations. The allusion is, doubtless, to those who had oppressed and injured the Hebrew people - perhaps referring to those who had destroyed the city and the temple at th... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BIND THEIR KINGS WITH CHAINS - To make them prisoners and captives. This is but carrying out the idea in the previous verses, of inflicting punishment upon them for the wrongs which they had done to the people of God. There is no evidence that this refers to a spiritual conquest, or to a spiritua... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EXECUTE UPON THEM THE JUDGMENT WRITTEN - Either, that which is written in the law in general as what is threatened to wicked men; or, that which was written for their particular case, or which they were specifically commanded to do. Compare Deuteronomy 7:1; Deuteronomy 32:41. Most probably the re... [ Continue Reading ]