Psalm 149 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Psalm 149 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


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

2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Yes and no, see Gal. 5:19.

4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

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

(149:5-8) The saints praise God while they kill and enslave "the heathen."
No killing or murder takes place in this psalm. Let's first look at the tool that is used (verse 6): a two-edged sword. This tool is used to execute judgment, verse 9. This is an honor that all the saints have says the same verse.
What this psalm refers to is the final judgment at the last day. Christ has the two-edged sword, see Rev. 1:16, that his saints will wield with him in the last day, 1 Cor. 6:2. This judgment is not cruelty, but it will be righteous and glorious. And those being judged will be judged by their consciences that indeed, God is righteous.

6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

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