Psalm 149:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In this passage, he articulates the struggle with joy and asserts that singing and offering praises to God will lead to triumph. He refers to 'exaltations' as acts of worship, including praises, hymns, and expressions of gratitude. Consequently, another translator, whose identity remains unknown, chose to use the term 'glorifications' in place of 'magnifications.'

Let us exalt the Lord with both our hearts and our actions, and as encouraged in this Psalm, let us offer Him a fresh hymn. It commences with the exhortation: Sing unto the Lord a new song. His glory is celebrated in the assembly of the faithful, as stated in Psalm 149:1. The old man resounds with an ancient hymn, while the new man raises a fresh one. The Old Testament carries an old tune, whereas the New Testament brings forth a new melody. The former contains temporary and earthly promises; those who cling to worldly matters sing the old refrain. However, one wishing to echo a new song must set their love on the eternal. True love is both new and everlasting; hence it is perpetually renewed, as it never grows stale. This melody sings of peace and mercy. He who distances himself from the fellowship of the faithful does not raise a new song; rather, he clings to old conflicts rather than new love. What is found in this new love? It encompasses peace, the unity of the holy community, and a spiritual union, a construction of living stones. This unity is not confined to a specific location but resonates throughout the entire world. This is emphasized by another psalm which proclaims: Sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Therefore, it is evident that one who does not join the universal chorus sings an old melody, regardless of the words spoken. We have asserted, dear friends, that the entirety of creation is singing a new hymn. If one does not participate in this global song, they may utter praises all day and night, yet my concern lies not in the sound of their voice, but in the deeds of those who truly live it. When I inquire, “What is it that you sing?” the response may be, “Hallelujah.” But what does Hallelujah signify? Praise the Lord. Let us come together in this praise. If you are adoring the Lord and I am as well, why are we in discord? Charity sings the praises of the Lord, while division blasphemes Him.

The Lord’s domain is one of peace, and not confined to any earthly territory. Though some lands yield abundant harvests—like Getulia bringing forth sixty or even a hundredfold, while Numidia brings forth only ten; still, His fruits manifest abundantly wherever they grow. You must choose your place if you wish to bear the mark of the Cross of the Lord. The Church of the saints embodies the Catholic Church. It stands distinct from the assembly of heretics. The Church of the saints was envisioned by God before its manifestation, destined to be made visible. This congregation was spoken of in the past; now it exists among all nations. Initially, it was known only through scripture; now it is both read and experienced. When it was merely discussed, it was believed; now it encountered opposition and skepticism. Praise Him in the children of the kingdom, which refers to the Church of the saints.

Let Israel find joy in its Creator, as stated in Psalm 149:2. Who then, is Israel? It is the vision of God. Those who perceive Him rejoice in the one who brought them into being. What of us, dear friends? We have declared our belonging to the Church of the saints: do we see God yet? How can we claim to be Israel if we have no vision? There exists one form of sight for this present age and another that is for the age to come. The vision we possess now is through faith, while the future vision will be tangible. If we believe, we see; if we love, we see. What then do we behold? God Himself. As the apostle John affirms, God is love (1 John 4:16). Let us bless His holy name and exult in Him, reveling in love. If one possesses love, why must we send them afar to catch a glimpse of God? Let them turn to their own conscience, for there they will indeed find Him.

And let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. The sons of the Church are Israel. While the historical Zion fell, and saints dwelled among its ruins, the true Zion—the true Jerusalem, for both are one—exists eternally in the heavens (2 Cor 5:1) and serves as our mother (Galatians 4:26). This mother birthed us; she is the Church of the saints, nurturing us, both sojourning and anchored in heaven. The aspect that resides in heaven shares in angelic joy, while the part that wanders through this world embodies the hope of the righteous. To those former souls it is sung, Glory to God in the highest, and concerning the latter, peace on earth to people of good will (Luke 2:14). Thus, those who yearn and sigh for their homeland should seek to run with love, not with their bodily feet; let them pursue wings rather than ships, clasping the dual wings of love: love for God and love for neighbor. In the meantime, we are wanderers, sighing and groaning. A letter has arrived from our homeland, and we read it to you. The sons of Zion rejoice in their King. The Son of God, who formed us, took on our nature and reigns as our sovereign, for He is our Creator. He who made us is the same one who governs us; we are Christians because He is the Anointed One. He is referred to as Christ through the Anointing.

Offer something to the priest that may serve as a true sacrifice. What could a sinful man present as an untainted offering? What sort of sacrifice could be pure? Oh unrighteous, oh sinful one, whatever you provide is impure; thus, something spotless must be offered on your behalf. Therefore, let the pure Priest present Himself and purify you. That is what Christ has accomplished; He found nothing free from blemish in humanity to offer on their behalf; instead, He presented Himself as the pure sacrifice—joyful, true, and unblemished. He did not offer the gift we bestowed, but rather He took from us to offer in purity. For our sake, He assumed flesh and brought it forth in the womb of the Virgin Mary, that He might present the pure on behalf of the impure. He is both our King and our Priest; let us rejoice in Him.

Let them exclaim praises with harmony, as stated in Psalm 149:3. What then, is a choir? Many understand what a choir is and speak of it commonly, knowing it as a gathering of singers. If we are to blend our voices in harmony, let us do so in true fellowship. If any voice is discordant amidst the chorus, it grates against the ear and disrupts the unity. Likewise, the disharmony of heresy disrupts the cohesion of those who offer praise. The whole world now serves as the chorus of Christ, echoing from east to west. Let them raise a hymn on the timbrel and harp. Why carry both instruments? It is to ensure that not only the voice praises but also the actions align with the song. When we take up the timbrel and harp, our hands resonate with our voices. So when you sing Hallelujah, remember to share your bread with the hungry, clothe those in need, and welcome the stranger; then your voice and your deeds will harmonize. You will have taken up your instrument, with both your fingers and your tongue in agreement.

We should not overlook the symbolic meaning of the timbrel and harp. On the timbrel, the skin is stretched; on the harp, strings are tightened; in both cases, the flesh is offered in sacrifice. How poignant is the psalm sung on timbrel and harp, declaring, For the world is crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14). This timbrel or harp you shall take up if you yearn for a new song, instructing you, “If anyone desires to follow me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Do not set down your harp, do not lay aside your timbrel, nor let your spirit wither from fleshly desires. The tighter the strings, the clearer the sound. What did the apostle Paul do to ensure his hymns resonated clearly? He reached toward what lay ahead (Philippians 3:13). He stretched out, and Christ touched him, producing a melody of truth.

For the Lord has done well among His people (Psalm 149:4). What could be more gracious than laying down one’s life for the unjust? What could be more gracious than the blood of the righteous cleansing the sinner’s slate? Is there a greater grace than declaring, “I disregard your past; become what you were meant to be”? He graciously transforms the forsaken, bolsters the battling, and honors the triumphing. The meek, in particular, He shall lift up to salvation. For while even the proud may rise, it is not unto salvation; rather, the meek are exalted in salvation while the proud fall into demise. The proud may ascend, but God brings them low; the humble may be brought low, but God raises them high.

The saints shall rejoice in glory (Psalm 149:5). I wish to share a few vital thoughts about the glory of the saints. For it is true that all yearn for glory. However, the glory of fools, or worldly fame as it is sometimes called, traps people in deceit. A person who succumbs to the accolades of others may find themselves driven to live for the sake of their audience’s praise. Thus, those who are mad and proud, empty yet filled with arrogance, are often willing to squander their wealth supporting entertainers, gladiators, or charioteers. What extravagant amounts they give! They drain not only the wealth of their inheritance, but also their own understanding. They overlook the needy because there is no crowd to compel them to give to the poor, while they rush to support the flamboyant combatants. When there’s no distress signal, they show no generosity; and in this madness, all are affected: the givers, the receivers, and the spectators. Such folly draws the Lord’s condemnation; it is abominable in His sight.

You adorn the wrestler as a beast to be subdued, and you become embarrassed: unlike Christ, who cannot be vanquished; He has overcome the diabolical foe for your sake, and within you. Yet you turn from elevating such a victor because it receives less fanfare and jubilation. Those who revel in this empty glory possess vacuous consciences. Just as they deplete their resources to adorn combatants, so too do they empty their moral fiber, leaving it devoid of value.

Regarding the saints who exult in glory, we need not elaborate on their rejoicing: simply listen to the next line of the Psalm, The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall delight in their rest—not amid theaters, amphitheaters, or circuses, or in vain pursuits or markets, but in their quiet places. What are these chambers? They dwell in their very hearts. Hear the apostle Paul rejoicing in his solitude: “For our glory lies in the testimony of our conscience” (2 Corinthians 1:12). Yet, we must be cautious against the temptation of self-satisfaction, lest we boast in our conscience. Each should rejoice with humility, recognizing that what fuels our joy is a gift from God, not our own achievements.

Many may be tempted to feel righteous by their standards; yet wisdom cautions us against boasting in our purity and freedom from sin (Proverbs 20:9). In this way, our glory must be acknowledged as it relates to the authenticity of our faith, our steadfast hope, and genuine love. The rejoicing of God should be evident on their lips (Psalm 149:6). They shall find joy in their inner sanctuaries, recognizing their merit is not their own; but rather, they exalt the One who transforms them and calls them into being, and from whom they expect to receive perfection, giving thanks for the grace that commenced their journey.

And in their hands, they wield double-edged swords. This weapon carries profound symbolic significance as it is sharpened on both sides. By these double-edged swords, we understand the Word of God, which is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). Though it is one sword, it is called many due to the multitude of saintly mouths and tongues. How then is it double-edged? It speaks to the temporal and the eternal. In both realms, it proves its assertions, inflicting separation upon those who are bound to the world. Is this not the sword of which the Lord stated, "I have come not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34)? Notice how He came to divide; He separates the saints from the wicked, and removes those hindrances. The personal desire to serve God often clashes with familial bonds, prompting the sword—the Word of God—to split the son from the father.

Regardless, the one who cries out does not do so merely through vocal cords but uses his lips to express his innermost feelings. In this context, we ask why it is stated, “The utterances of God in their larynx”? It speaks to the deep calling within our hearts, “Abba Father” (Rom. 8:15). The true voice lifted in worship to God emanates not from the mouth but from the heart. The Lord said to Moses, “Why dost thou cry unto Me?” (Ex. 14:15), indicating that Moses had spoken no words.

The voices of the faithful are filled with the praises of God. They continuously proclaim His blessings and offer songs of gratitude to the Giver of those blessings. Meanwhile, they wield swords that are sharpened on both sides. See vv. 7

These statements convey the understanding that the Israelites who offer praise to God will engage in conflict with their adversaries. They will have songs of worship on their lips and swords in their hands, tools with which they will strike down those who oppose them. Athanasius indicates that the Apostles proclaimed the exalted Gospel audibly, while their deeds manifested miracles that vanquished the adversary's might.

In this passage, he more clearly illustrates that he is not referring to a mere act of divine grace; had the Israelites not experienced such a miraculous deliverance, their celebrations would have lacked foundation. He reminds the community that their liberation from bondage was not intended for them to fall back into sinful ways, but rather to be enriched with a multitude of virtues. For this reason, he speaks of resting places, indicating that the faithful may anticipate enduring peace under the shelter of God's care. Furthermore, he equips the faithful with spiritual armor and weaponry, indicating that they will not only conquer their adversaries and repel them from their land, but also bring into submission those kings and nations to whom they once were in servitude. He underscored this with songs of praise, psalms, and expressions of gratitude.

This psalm may pertain to the period following the Tribulation. God has indeed shown His favor to Israel by delivering them, assisting in the construction of the city and the temple, and blessing them abundantly, thus restoring their glory among the nations. For these blessings, Israel should earnestly praise the Lord, the source of their existence as His covenant people, rejoicing continually in the honor the Lord has once again granted them. With his voice, he is to offer songs of praise to God, while keeping the sword in hand, ensuring he remembers God's command to eradicate idolatry and enforce the divine decrees upon such practices. He should engage in heartfelt worship, including group dances and religious celebrations as seen in historical accounts.

Exaltation is the continual praise and gratitude offered to the Lord. The Cross of Christ effectively vanquishes both seen and unseen adversaries, while the Word of God will bring judgment upon sinful souls and bodies during the Last Judgment.

Consider the righteous in their splendid journey; they are filled with honor. Alternatively, envision them at peace in their resting places, where they find joy in consistently lifting prayers of gratitude to God. The two-edged sword likely symbolizes the Word of God, which surpasses all in sharpness. Theodoret connects this to the Maccabees, though it may also be relevant to the Apostles.