NOTES for Psa 149:1-9
1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. |
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. |
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. |
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. |
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. |
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; |
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; |
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; |
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. |
Hide
The question comes up very often: should one read psalms that curse enemies, now that there is already a New Testament, which has set entirely different tasks before us? After all, even in the psalm most filled with praise and glorification of God, one can find curses and thirst for every possible punishment upon enemies. It appears that nothing contradicts the spirit of the Gospel so sharply.
This apparent contradiction is resolved rather simply: these enemies are not our enemies, but the enemies of God and of Christ, who forgave His executioners and Peter, but sternly denounced the Pharisees and the "world." These enemies of God are not only outside, somewhere far away, but also within us ourselves: they are our sins. Then reading the psalms can protect us from lukewarmness by stirring up our hatred not against sinners, but against evil and sin.
After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free. | ||
