What does Psalm 149:3 mean?

The psalmist continues (Psalm 149:1–2) to instruct the nation of Israel to praise the Lord. Here, this includes a call for dancing and music. The Lord's "name," in this case, means more than the sounds or letters used to identify Him. It represents His reputation, His nature, and His will (Deuteronomy 5:11; 18:22; Psalm 25:11; 96:8).

The Lord's people in the Old Testament era were accustomed to showing their enthusiasm by singing and dancing. For example, when David defeated the Philistines, the women poured out of Israel's cities to meet King Saul with singing and dancing (1 Samuel 18:6). They celebrated joyfully, playing tambourines and musical instruments. Second Samuel 6:14 portrays David as rejoicing and dancing with great energy when he brought the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom. Here, the psalmist also encourages Israelites to use musical instruments in their praise. The music was not to be random or chaotic, but melodic. The Lord wants worship and service to be "done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). Ephesians 5:19 exhorts believers to address one another "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."