The whole Book of Psalms is full of praise, but the praise culminates at the close. There are five «Hallelujah Psalms» at the end of the Book; they are so named because they both begin and conclude with the word Hallelujah, «Praise ye the Lord.» It must be to the intense regret of all reverent persons to find the word Hallelujah so used today, in a hackneyed way, that it is made to be a commonplace instead of a very sacred word,-Hallelujah, or, Praise be unto Jah, Jehovah. He who uses this word in a flippant manner is guilty of taking the name of the Lord in vain.
Psalms 149:1. Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song,
You have had new mercies from the Lord; give him in return a new song. You have a new apprehension of his mercy, you who live under this gospel dispensation have something more to sing of than even David experienced; therefore, «sing unto Jehovah a new song,»-throw your hearts into it; do not let it be a matter of routine, but let your whole soul, in all its vigor and freshness, address itself to the praise of God.
Psalms 149:1. And his praise in the congregation of saints.
All saints praise God; they are not saints if they do not. The praise of any one saint is sweet to him; but in the congregation of saints there is a linked sweetness, a wonderful commixture of precious things. Sing his praise, then, in the congregation of his holy ones.
Psalms 149:2. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him:
Adore your Creator for your being, and for your well being. He has twice made you, ye people of God; give him therefore double praise,-not only the song of those who sang when creation's work was done, but the praise of those who sing because they are made new creatures in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 149:2-19. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance:
The holy dance of those days differed altogether from the frivolous and lascivious dances of the present time. It was a sacred exercise in which the whole body expressed its delight before God.
Psalms 149:3. Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
The one to be struck and the other to be gently touched to yield its stringed sweetness.
Psalms 149:4. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people:
Should not they take pleasure in the condescension on his part to take any pleasure in them? Oh, what a lift up it is for us when we learn to take pleasure in the Lord!
Psalms 149:4. He will beautify the meek with salvation.
He dresses all his children; but the meek are his Joseph's, and upon them he puts the coat of many colors, and they shall inherit the earth.
Psalms 149:5. Let the saints be joyful in glory:
God is their glory; let them be joyful in him.
Psalms 149:5. Let them sing aloud upon their beds.
If they cannot come up to the congregation, yet, when they rest at home, or when they suffer at home, let them not cease from their music. God's praise comes up sweetly, I do not doubt, this Sabbath evening, from many a lonely chamber where the saints are waiting for the appearing of their Lord.
Psalms 149:6. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
«In their throat,» says the Hebrew, for God's saints sing deep down in their throats. There is a deeply rooted music when we praise God, which is altogether unlike the mere syllables of the lips that come from a hypocrite's tongue.
Psalms 149:6. And a two-edged sword in their hand;
For we have to fight today with principalities, and powers, and wickednesses everywhere. With the sword of the Spirit in our hands, we fight the battles of the Prince of peace.
Psalms 149:7-19. To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
So was it when Israel came into Canaan, ordained to execute the vengeance of God upon the heathen nations. We have no such warrant, and no such painful duty; but there is a prince who shall be bound with chains and with fetters of iron one day. The Lord shall bruise Satan under our feet shortly; and, meanwhile, we fight against the powers of evil of every kind. Oh, that God would help us to bind King Drunkenness with chains, and King Infidelity with fetters of iron! Would God the day were come when impurity, which defiles so many, were overcome and vanquished by the two-edged sword of the Spirit of God!
Psalms 149:9. To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.
Or it may be read, «He is the honour of all his saints.» «Unto you that believe he is precious,» or, «he is an honour,» says the apostle; and there is no honour like that which comes of being coupled with God, living in him, and living for him.
Psalms 149:9. Praise ye the LORD.
What bursts of praise must have risen from the hosts of Israel when they gathered for their annual festivals, and sang together these last great Hallelujah Psalms!
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 149, 150.