Psalm 149:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord!

NIV: to carry out the sentence written against them— this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the Lord.

NASB: To execute against them the judgment written. This is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord!

CSB: carrying out the judgment decreed against them. This honor is for all his faithful people. Hallelujah!

NLT: to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!

KJV: To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

NKJV: To execute on them the written judgment— This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!

Israel's original commands when entering Canaan were to eliminate that corrupted and wicked culture (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4–5). This was to be God's judgment on sin and evil. Unfortunately, Israel failed to follow through on these orders. By the time Jerusalem and Zion were associated with Israel (2 Samuel 5:7), opportunity to complete the task was all but gone. Later generations fell further and further from God, despite warnings (2 Chronicles 36:15–16). This resulted in harsh judgment on Israel (2 Chronicles 36:17–21) as predicted. The call here seems more about anticipating Messiah's future victory (Psalm 45:3–6) than a literal battle cry.

The world outside of Israel is being given similar warnings. Psalm 2 predicts an end-times uprising of the nations against God and His Son. This will result in divine wrath (Psalm 2:5–9). Second Thessalonians 1:7–8 predicts that Jesus will return to earth "with His mighty angels in flaming fire," and He will inflict "vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." Revelation 19:11–16 pictures this event.

This psalm equates predicted judgment on evil with honor for those who revere God (Psalm 149:4; Proverbs 1:7). One day, evil will be defeated forever: a day of vindication for all who believe (Revelation 20:11–15). In the meantime, the Lord's people are called to praise, leaving vengeance in His hands (Romans 12:19; John 18:36) and anticipating His return (Matthew 24:44).

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.