Psalms 149:1

Psalms 149:1 says, Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.  The people of Israel were called on to sing a new song to God and to praise Him in the congregation of the saints.  Matthew Henry says the previous song was a song to the Creator, and this is a song to the Redeemer.  We sing praises to both, since they are One.  Verse two adds, Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.  This verse speaks of Israel rejoicing in Him that made them.  As Creator He made them, but as Redeemer He made them His people.  We must acknowledge God not just as the Creator, but we must acknowledge Him as our Redeemer through faith in Jesus Christ if we are to be a part of His kingdom.  Verse three states, Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.  This calls on the people of Israel to worship God with musical instruments and dance.  Sometimes, we may have gotten too somber in our worship of God.  Verse four adds, For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.  The people of Israel were told that they needed to joyously worship God because He took pleasure in His people and would beautify the meek with salvation.  Those who humbly come to God by faith for forgiveness and salvation will find it if they put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five says, Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.  We are saints of God as Christians, and we should be joyful and sing new songs to God.  This verse tells us that we are to sing aloud unto God even when we are in our beds.  Verse six adds, Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;  We are to sing high praises to God based on His word, which is referred to as a twoedged sword.  We are to wield the truth of God as we sing a new song.  Verse seven continues, To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;  Vengeance and punishment are God's to execute, but I believe that how we praise God should lead lost people to Him.  Verse eight states  To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;  God's judgment will one day bind all those, even those in power, if they do not put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Verse nine adds, To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.  God's judgment will come to all those who reject the Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  As followers of Christ, we should always give God the praise for redeeming us.