Psalms 149:1,2 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Israel, by name, is here demanded to come forward to the pleasant employment of praise; and Jesus, King in Zion, is to be their one glorious theme. I beg the reader to remark, that here is nothing said of Israel's being joyful in what their King had done for them. These things, in their proper place, became sweet subjects of praise. But the subject of praise, in which Israel is now to be engaged, is Jesus himself. Reader, pause over this apparently small, but most important distinction. The Lord is gracious in his gifts, gracious in his love, gracious in his salvation. Everything he gives, is from his mercy, and is ever to be so acknowledged. But Jesus's gifts, are not himself: I cannot be satisfied with his gifts, while I know that to others he gives his person. It is Jesus himself that I want. Though he give me all things that I need, yet if he be to me himself all things that I need, in him I have all things. Hence, therefore, let us see, that Jesus not only gives us all, but that he is, our all. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.