CXLIX. History supplies a terrible comment on this psalm. “Under the illusion that it might be used as a prayer without any spiritual transmutation, Psalms 149. has become the watchword of the most horrible errors. It was by means of this psalm that Caspar Scloppius, in his _Classicum Bibliœ Sacrœ,... [ Continue Reading ]
A NEW SONG. — See Psalms 33:3. THE CONGREGATION. — Apparently the psalm puts us in the Maccabæan age, when the _chasîdîm_ was become a regular title for the patriotic party.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DANCE. — Rather, as margin, _with the pipe._ The use of the word _machôl_ in what was evidently a list of all the orchestral instruments used in the Temple in the next psalm, would alone be almost decisive of the meaning. But one possible derivation is certainly in favour of this rendering, a... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WILL BEAUTIFY THE MEEK... — Rather, _He adorns the oppressed with salvation._ Not only is the victory which achieves the deliverance of the afflicted people a relief to them, but the honour won in the sight of the world is like a beautiful robe, a figure no doubt suggested by the actual triumphal... [ Continue Reading ]
The two clauses are directly parallel: “Let the _chasîdîm_ raise a cry in glory: Let them sing aloud upon their couches.” Either the rejoicing is carried far into the night, and when retired to rest the happy people burst ‘out anew into singing; or (see Hosea 7:14), the couches may rather be the... [ Continue Reading ]
HIGH PRAISES. — Literally, _exaltations of celebration, i.e.,_ hymns of praise. MOUTH. — Rather, _throat. _... [ Continue Reading ]
HEATHEN... PEOPLE. — Rather, _nations_... _peoples. _... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JUDGMENT WRITTEN. — If we knew the exact circumstance which produced the psalm, and had the names of the nobles and princes taken prisoners, we should easily guess at the contents of the “judgment written,” which was, perhaps, some special order, the carrying out of which is celebrated here; or... [ Continue Reading ]