Psalm 149 5

Psalm 149:5 kjv

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Psalm 149:5 nkjv

Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.

Psalm 149:5 niv

Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

Psalm 149:5 esv

Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.

Psalm 149:5 nlt

Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.

Psalm 149 5 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Ps 5:11But let all those rejoice that put their trust in thee...Joy of the righteous in God.
Ps 32:11Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous...Joy for the upright.
Ps 68:3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God...Righteous exult in God's presence.
Phil 4:4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.Constant joy in the Lord.
1 Pet 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice...Rejoicing in unseen Christ.
Rom 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.Future glory of believers.
2 Cor 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed...Transformed into His glory.
Col 3:4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.Appearing with Christ in glory.
Ps 73:24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.God leading to glory.
Is 60:1Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.God's glory on His people.
Ps 149:1Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.General call to praise.
Ps 149:4For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.Reason for praise: God delights in His people.
Ps 92:1-2It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord... to show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning...Goodness of praise.
Eph 5:19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.Singing from the heart.
Col 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...Rich dwelling of God's word and song.
Acts 16:25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God...Singing praises in confinement.
Job 35:10But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;God gives songs in difficulty/night.
Ps 16:7I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.Inner counsel even at night.
Ps 4:8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.Peace and sleep in God's safety.
Ps 63:6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.Meditation on God while on bed.
Hab 3:17-18Although the fig tree shall not blossom... yet I will rejoice in the Lord...Rejoicing despite tribulation.
Jas 1:2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Joy in trials.
Rom 5:3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.Glory in tribulations.
Ps 16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy...Fullness of joy in God's presence.
Jn 15:11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.Christ's joy in believers.

Psalm 149 verses

Psalm 149 5 Meaning

Psalm 149:5 exhorts the saints, those who are faithful and devoted to God, to experience profound joy and exultation. This joy is to be expressed "in glory," reflecting either their divinely conferred honor, their delight in God's majesty, or their anticipation of future splendor with Him. Furthermore, it instructs them to sing aloud "upon their beds," signifying a deep, intimate, and unrestrained praise that overflows even in private moments of rest, contemplation, or quietude, indicating a perpetual and personal devotion.

Psalm 149 5 Context

Psalm 149 is a psalm of praise that opens with a renewed call to worship God with a "new song," urging His people to glorify Him in communal celebration. The surrounding verses provide the foundation for this exuberant praise: God takes pleasure in His people and adorns them with salvation (v. 4). This context suggests that the joy expressed in verse 5 is a direct response to God's benevolent character and His mighty acts. The subsequent verses (v. 6-9) expand on the role of the saints, depicting them as instruments of God's justice against nations, emphasizing that their intimate praise seamlessly connects with their active participation in God's grand plan, linking inward devotion with outward triumph. The historical/cultural context understands "beds" as private spaces, distinct from the communal temple worship, underscoring that devotion to the true God permeated every aspect of a believer's life, a contrast to ritualistic external worship of pagan deities.

Psalm 149 5 Word analysis

  • Let the saints (חֲסִידִים - chasidim): Refers to the "pious," "devout," or "godly ones." These are not merely those who perform religious duties, but individuals characterized by their unwavering loyalty and devotion to God, rooted in God's own covenant faithfulness (hesed) to them. They are those set apart for God.
  • be joyful (יַעַלְזוּ - ya'alzu): To exult, be jubilant, triumphantly rejoice. This word signifies a strong, overflowing expression of delight and elation, a more intense emotion than mere happiness.
  • in glory (בָּכָבוֹד - ba'kavod): This prepositional phrase, ba'kavod, meaning "in glory," "in honor," or "in splendor," carries multiple layers of significance:
    • Their inherent honor/dignity: It points to the elevated status and honor God has bestowed upon His faithful.
    • God's glory: The object of their joy is the majestic glory and presence of God Himself.
    • Future glory: It can allude to the future eschatological glory awaiting the saints with God.
    • The glory of God's deeds: Their rejoicing is in the magnificent, glorious acts of salvation and judgment that God performs.
  • let them sing aloud (יְרַנְּנוּ - yeranenu): To give a ringing cry, shout for joy, or utter a joyful sound, often implying a spontaneous and uninhibited vocal expression, typically in song or shouting. It conveys exuberance.
  • upon their beds (עַל מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָם - al mishkevotam): Literally "upon their sleeping places," "couches," or "beds." This seemingly private detail is profoundly significant:
    • Intimate Devotion: It contrasts with public worship, highlighting that genuine praise transcends communal settings and permeates the most private, personal spaces.
    • Rest and Reflection: It implies praise in moments of quiet repose, solitude, or even wakefulness at night, when one is often deep in thought or meditation.
    • Constant Joy: The joy is not limited by circumstances or location; it is so ingrained that it emerges even from places typically associated with rest or vulnerability.
    • Resilience: It suggests that even in times of discomfort, illness, or vulnerability (when confined to bed), the saints' joy in God remains undiminished and expressed.
  • Word Group Analysis (let the saints...be joyful...sing aloud): This emphasizes an active, expressive, and uncontainable joy that stems from their identity as God's faithful. Their devotion leads to vibrant, vocal praise.
  • Word Group Analysis (be joyful in glory...sing aloud upon their beds): This combination highlights the omnipresent nature of their joy. Their high status ("in glory") and deepest personal moments ("upon their beds") are equally filled with God-centered delight and worship.

Psalm 149 5 Bonus section

The image of "singing aloud upon their beds" suggests a level of profound peace and security, enabling rest and private worship without fear, which contrasts with the anxieties that might otherwise keep one awake. It elevates the private sphere into a sacred space, showing that every aspect of the believer's life is meant to be sanctified and dedicated to God's praise. This verse implicitly teaches that true worship is holistic, encompassing both public adoration and personal, heart-level intimacy with the Divine.

Psalm 149 5 Commentary

Psalm 149:5 paints a vivid picture of the unbridled, personal joy of God's chosen people, the saints. This verse illustrates that their praise is not confined to formal gatherings but springs from an intimate relationship with God, permeating every aspect of their lives, including private moments. The phrase "in glory" signifies that their exultation is deeply rooted in God's majesty, their honorable status conferred by Him, and the ultimate glory they share in His presence. The command to "sing aloud upon their beds" underscores an internal wellspring of praise that cannot be suppressed. It implies that true devotion cultivates a joy so profound it bursts forth spontaneously, transforming mundane or solitary spaces into sanctuaries of worship, active even in stillness or vulnerability. This unwavering, personal devotion foreshadows and underpins the active role of the saints in God's redemptive and judgmental purposes later in the Psalm. For example, believers can find joy in a difficult diagnosis while lying in bed by focusing on God's unwavering presence, or quiet contemplation before sleep can turn into an outpouring of gratitude for daily blessings.