Psalms 149:5

5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.

Psalms 149:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 149:5

Let the saints be joyful in glory
In the glory put upon them now, being beautified with salvation; in the righteousness of Christ on them, and the grace of Christ in them, which makes them all glorious within; and in the glory they expect to have hereafter, both upon their bodies and souls, and in the hope of that, ( Romans 5:2 ) . Some copies of the Ethiopic version render it, "in his glory"; in the glory of Christ, asa divine Person and as Mediator, seen now in the glass of the Gospel, and will be the object of the beautiful vision hereafter; and now is, and then will be, matter of joy unspeakable, ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ) ( John 17:24 ) . Or "gloriously" F12, in a glorious manner; as saints do rejoice, when they ascribe all the glory of salvation to the free grace of God and death of Christ, and rejoice on that account; saints have reason to rejoice, and indeed none but they; who being regenerated and sanctified, are meet for and shall partake of eternal glory;

let them sing aloud upon their beds;
while others are taking their rest and ease, let them meditate on the word of God; commune with their own hearts about their state and condition; remember the Lord, and his goodness to them; all which give an occasion to give thanks unto him, and sing aloud his praise, ( Psalms 63:5 Psalms 63:6 ) ( 119:62 ) ; and when they awake on their beds in a morning, after sound sleep and a good repose, it becomes them to praise the Lord, who gives his beloved sleep; and who only makes them sleep, and dwell in safety, ( Psalms 4:8 ) . And the phrase denotes the safe and secure state of the saints upon their beds, lying down and sleeping comfortably, having nothing to fear, the Lord sustaining them; and so may and should sing upon their beds, ( Psalms 3:5 Psalms 3:6 ) ; Yea, saints may sing upon their sick beds; since the Lord is with them there, and strengthens them on a bed of languishing, and makes all their bed in their sickness, ( Psalms 41:3 ) ; and even upon their death beds may sing aloud the triumphant song, "O death, where is thy sting?" &c. ( 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ) . Saints in a future state are on beds; the grave is a bed, where their flesh rests in hope; and the bosom and arms of Jesus are the bed in which their souls rest; and where they are, not in a state of insensibility and inactivity, but are walking and talking, and singing aloud the praises of electing, redeeming, and calling grace, ( Isaiah 57:1 Isaiah 57:2 ) . So Arama interprets the saints on their beds, those that lie in the grave, when they shall rise from thence,


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (dwbkb) "gloriose", Castalio.

Psalms 149:5 In-Context

3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.