Psalm 149 1

Psalm 149:1 kjv

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Psalm 149:1 nkjv

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints.

Psalm 149:1 niv

Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

Psalm 149:1 esv

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!

Psalm 149:1 nlt

Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.

Psalm 149 verses

Psalm 149 1 Meaning

Psalm 149:1 serves as an exultant call to worship, urging God's faithful people to offer fresh, heartfelt praise to Yahweh, the sovereign Lord. This praise is not merely an individual act but a vibrant, communal expression rendered within the gathered body of His consecrated ones, reflecting their joy and gratitude for His saving acts.

Psalm 149 1 Context

Psalm 149 is one of the final "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150), concluding the book of Psalms with fervent expressions of praise. Verse 1 serves as an exhilarating summons, setting the tone for the entire psalm. While the following verses of Psalm 149 unexpectedly shift from pure praise to themes of God's people actively participating in judgment and executing divine decrees, verse 1 establishes the fundamental attitude of worship. Historically, such psalms would have been integral to Israelite temple worship, feasts, and communal gatherings, uniting the congregation in adoration of Yahweh, especially in recognition of His recent redemptive acts or anticipated future triumphs. The context implies that this communal praise is a dynamic response to God's active involvement in His people's lives and in the world.

Word Analysis

• Praise the Lord! (הַלְלוּ יָהּ – Hallĕlū Yah):

  • הַלְלוּ (Hallĕlū): An imperative plural verb meaning "Praise ye!" It is derived from the Hebrew root HLL, which denotes praising, boasting, shining forth, or glorifying. It is a direct command and an invitation to participate actively.
  • יָהּ (Yah): The short, poetic form of Yahweh (YHWH), God's covenant name. Its brevity and strong sound convey intimacy and urgency. This specific direction of praise implies a polemic against the worship of other gods, emphasizing the unique, personal God of Israel.

• Sing (שִׁירוּ – Šīrū):

  • An imperative plural verb, "Sing ye!" from the root shīr. It underscores the communal, vocal, and celebratory nature of the worship.

• to the Lord (לַיהוָה – la-Yahweh):

  • לַ (la-): The preposition "to" or "for."
  • יְהוָה (Yahweh): The fuller, more sacred, ineffable covenant name of God. While Yah highlights immediacy, Yahweh emphasizes His enduring covenant faithfulness and supreme authority.

• a new song (שִׁיר חָדָשׁ – Shīr ḥādāš):

  • שִׁיר (Shīr): "Song" or "poem." A musical composition often expressing emotion or a narrative.
  • חָדָשׁ (ḥādāš): "New," "fresh," "renewed." This is significant. It implies a praise that is not merely routine or ritualistic, but arises from a fresh encounter with God's deeds, a new understanding of His character, or a recent act of salvation. It can also signify a song for a new age, perhaps even the Messianic era. This phrase indirectly functions as a polemic against stale, empty worship, calling for genuine, renewed devotion.

• his praise (תְּהִלָּתוֹ – tĕhillātō):

  • תְּהִלָּה (tĕhillāh): "Praise" or "song of praise," closely related to Hallelū.
  • -תו (-ō): The possessive suffix "his." This refers to the praise that belongs to Him, is directed at Him, or perhaps even praise from Him as it is inspired by His glory. It emphasizes that God is the sole object and rightful recipient of this unique song.

• in the assembly of the saints (בִּקְהַל חֲסִידִים – biq-hal ḥăsīdīm):

  • בִּקְהַל (biq-hal): "In the assembly of" or "in the congregation of." From qāhāl, referring to a convened gathering or community, especially one for sacred purposes (e.g., the gathered Israelites at Sinai, or for temple worship). This stresses the public, corporate nature of worship; praise is a community affair.
  • חֲסִידִים (ḥăsīdīm): "Saints," "godly ones," "devout ones," "pious ones." Rooted in ḥesed (steadfast love, mercy, loyalty). These are not merely morally upright people, but those characterized by their covenant faithfulness and devotion to Yahweh, and who are recipients of His loyal love. They are God's chosen, consecrated people set apart for His purposes, reinforcing that the worship is from a distinct, beloved community.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song": This pair of parallel commands amplifies the intensity and mode of worship. It's not just inner adoration but active, audible praise, characterized by fresh enthusiasm. The doubling emphasizes the urgency and importance of the call.
  • "his praise in the assembly of the saints": This phrase specifies the context and the participants of this special "new song." It underscores that genuine praise is intrinsically communal and rendered by those who stand in a loyal, loving relationship with God. The public setting affirms God's glory before others and solidifies the communal identity of the worshipers.

Psalm 149 1 Commentary

Psalm 149:1 inaugurates a potent summons to vibrant and renewed praise. It’s a divine imperative, "Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord," urging not a passive reverence but an active, joyous acclamation. The insistence on "a new song" signifies a praise inspired by fresh acts of God's redemptive power and mercy, calling believers to express gratitude beyond rote recitation. It is a praise uniquely "His praise," wholly directed toward Yahweh as the worthy recipient. Crucially, this worship is not isolated but performed "in the assembly of the saints" — by God’s consecrated people, gathered collectively. This highlights that communal worship is central to expressing their covenant relationship with the living God, uniting hearts and voices in grateful adoration.

Bonus SectionThis initial verse, while an invocation to praise, sets the stage for the eschatological and even militant themes found later in Psalm 149. The "new song" in this context is often understood by scholars to celebrate not only past deliverance but also future triumph and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, implying a forward-looking dimension to the community's praise. The praise by the ḥăsīdīm (saints) empowers them for divine purposes, blurring the lines between worship and sacred mission. The very command to "Praise the Lord" indicates that praise is not just an emotional outburst but a disciplined, commanded act of faith, recognizing God's ultimate authority and worth.