Psalm 149:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

NIV: For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

NASB: For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will glorify the lowly with salvation.

CSB: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

NLT: For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

KJV: For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

NKJV: For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Praising the Lord shows our pleasure in being His people. Amazingly, even though God is the Creator of the entire universe (Psalm 95:3–5), He also takes pleasure in His people (Psalm 147:3–4). This delight is tied to our reverent obedience and commitment to Him (Genesis 5:22–24; Hosea 6:6; Hebrews 11:5). When Jesus was baptized, the Fa-ther spoke from heaven and said concerning Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). Someday the Lord will express His pleasure in faithful servants by commending them and say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. …Enter into the joy of your Master" (Matthew 25:21).

This verse also points out that to those who humbly submit to Him, the Lord gracefully offers salvation (Psalm 85:9; 119:155; Hebrews 5:9). Whoever humbles himself to admit he is a sinner who needs the Savior will be saved (John 3:16–18). Isaiah testifies: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10).

Psalm 149:1–5 summons Israel to praise the Lord, their Creator and King. The praise should be joyful and include dancing and singing—even when resting in bed. The Lord takes special pleasure in His chosen people, especially those who remain humble and accept His salvation.

The psalmist calls on Israel to praise the Lord God who is their King. He celebrates the Lord's special concern for Israel and expects the people to respond with joy. The song also calls on Israel—the Old Testament nation—to live out God's commands to overcome the depraved nations of Canaan as they were instructed after the exodus (Deuteronomy 7:2; 9:5). This will fulfill prophecy and be a source of honor for those who obey God.

The English word "hallelujah" comes from the Hebrew expression halelu-yāh. This unique phrase only occurs biblically in the book of Psalms; many instances are in the last five entries (Psalms 146—150). Each of these last songs begins and ends with this phrase which literally means "praise the Lord!" The later verses call on the Old Testament people of Israel to fulfill their intended role as instruments of the Lord's vengeance on evil nations (Deuteronomy 7:2; 9:5; Ezekiel 25:14).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.