When Israel came into the Promised Land, God commanded them to erase the horrific evils of Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4–5). In this psalm, the writer is calling on the people of Israel to live out their purpose. This includes both praise of the Lord and enacting His explicit instructions about those evil nations (Psalm 149:6). The terms used here translated as "nations" and "peoples" are goyim' and ummim'. The first is very often a reference to the Gentile world, while the second is slightly more general.

This instruction is tied to God's previous commands (Psalm 149:9). The psalmist is not setting up a permanent call for God-believers to wage holy war. Israel's objective—as related in this verse—was to act as God's punishment on the evil cultures of their era. Non-Israelite nations were notorious in Old Testament times for oppressing Israel and practicing paganism, especially idolatry. Unfortunately, instead of eliminating idolatry, Israel often adopted idolatry. This was one reason Israel and then Judah became captives to the Assyrians and the Babylonians (2 Chronicles 36:17–21). In Nehemiah's day Gentile nations tried to disrupt the work of repairing Jerusalem's walls, so the workers had to keep swords handy as they built (Nehemiah 4:17–18).

The reference to Zion (Psalm 149:2) means this psalm was written well after Israel had entered Canaan (2 Samuel 7:5). By then, Israel's opportunity to complete God's initial mission was all but gone. The drive behind this song is probably more forward-looking, anticipating God's eventual victory over sin (Psalm 45:3–6).

Today, as well, a battle with evil rages (Ephesians 6:12). Yet this is a spiritual battle, not one for territory or rule over earth (John 18:36). Believers are commanded to put on the armor of God, which describes our spiritual tools and resources (Ephesians 6:10–18).

Psalm 149:6–9 calls on godly Israelites to continue their praise of God while executing His commanded judgment on ungodly nations. These actions were commanded by God after the exodus; they were instructions to Israel alone, regarding those pagan nations alone. As Israel follows these commands, they fulfill God's prophecies and bring honor to them-selves.

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.

Accessed 4/3/2025 2:04:55 AM

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