Psalm 149

Last updated
Psalm 149 has the same number in Hebrew (Masoretic) and Greek (Septuagint or Vulgate) psalm numbering.
Psalm 149
"Sing a new song unto the Lord"
Hymn psalm
Hallelujah, manuscript on parchmen france.jpg
Psalm 149 in Hebrew on a French parchment from the 13th century
Other name"Cantate Domino"
Related
LanguageHebrew (original)

Psalm 149 is the 149th psalm of the Book of Psalms, a hymn as the book's penultimate piece. The first verse of the psalm calls to praise in singing, in English in the King James Version: "Sing a new song unto the Lord". Similar to Psalm 96 and Psalm 98 (Cantate Domino), Psalm 149 calls to praise God in music and dance, because he has chosen his people and helped them to victory. Psalm 149 is also marked by its martial tone: [1] it calls on the people to be ready to fight.

Contents

The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican liturgies. It has often been set to music, notably by Antonín Dvořák who set the complete psalm for chorus and orchestra, while Bach chose only the first three verses for his motet Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225. It was paraphrased in hymns.

Background and themes

Psalm 149 shares its first line with Psalm 98, known as Cantate Domino. Both psalms call for praise of God in music and dance, because God has chosen his people and helped them to victory. [2] [3] [4] Psalm 149 also calls to be ready to fight, with "swords sharpened on both sides in their hands". [5] The end of the psalm has been interpreted differently by commentators. Augustine of Hippo wrote that the phrase of the sword has a "mystical meaning", dividing temporal and eternal things. [5] James L. Mays comments: "There is an eschatological, almost apocalyptic, dimension to the psalm's anticipation of a warfare of the faithful that will settle the conflict of the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God". [3]

Citing verses 5 and 6, the Talmud ( Berakhot 5) says the praises said by the pious on their beds refer to the recital of the Bedtime Shema. The Shema is like a "double-edged sword" that can destroy both inner and outer demons and evil spirits. [6] [7] This image of a double-edged sword also refers to Israel's power of praises of God, which enable them to avenge themselves against the nations that persecuted them when the nations receive their punishment at the end of days. [8]

C. S. Rodd notes that some writers divide the psalm into two sections, verses 1-4 and 5-9 (such as the layout in the New King James Version), [9] but others create three sections, verses 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9. Support for a three-section structure "is seen primarily in the triad of infinitives in verses 7-9", [1] namely to execute vengeance ..., to bind their kings ..., to execute judgment ... in the King James Version. [10]

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text [11] [12] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

VerseHebrewEnglish translation (JPS 1917)
1הַ֥לְלוּ־יָ֨הּ ׀ שִׁ֣ירוּ לַֽ֭יהֹוָה שִׁ֣יר חָדָ֑שׁ תְּ֝הִלָּת֗וֹ בִּקְהַ֥ל חֲסִידִֽים׃‎Hallelujah. Sing unto the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of the saints.
2יִשְׂמַ֣ח יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל בְּעֹשָׂ֑יו בְּנֵֽי־צִ֝יּ֗וֹן יָגִ֥ילוּ בְמַלְכָּֽם׃‎Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3יְהַלְל֣וּ שְׁמ֣וֹ בְמָח֑וֹל בְּתֹ֥ף וְ֝כִנּ֗וֹר יְזַמְּרוּ־לֽוֹ׃‎Let them praise His name in the dance; Let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.
4כִּֽי־רוֹצֶ֣ה יְהֹוָ֣ה בְּעַמּ֑וֹ יְפָאֵ֥ר עֲ֝נָוִ֗ים בִּישׁוּעָֽה׃‎For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people; He adorneth the humble with salvation.
5יַעְלְז֣וּ חֲסִידִ֣ים בְּכָב֑וֹד יְ֝רַנְּנ֗וּ עַל־מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָֽם׃‎Let the saints exult in glory; Let them sing for joy upon their beds.
6רוֹמְמ֣וֹת אֵ֭ל בִּגְרוֹנָ֑ם וְחֶ֖רֶב פִּיפִיּ֣וֹת בְּיָדָֽם׃‎Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;
7לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת נְ֭קָמָה בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם תּ֝וֹכֵח֗וֹת בַּלְאֻמִּֽים׃‎To execute vengeance upon the nations, And chastisements upon the peoples;
8לֶאְסֹ֣ר מַלְכֵיהֶ֣ם בְּזִקִּ֑ים וְ֝נִכְבְּדֵיהֶ֗ם בְּכַבְלֵ֥י בַרְזֶֽל׃‎To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת בָּהֶ֨ם ׀ מִשְׁפָּ֬ט כָּת֗וּב הָדָ֣ר ה֭וּא לְכׇל־חֲסִידָ֗יו הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃‎To execute upon them the judgment written; He is the glory of all His saints. Hallelujah.

King James Version

  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.
  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.
  6. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged 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.

Uses

Judaism

Psalm 149 is recited in its entirety in the Pesukei D'Zimra ("Verses of Praise") section of the daily morning prayer. [13] It is traditionally grouped with Psalms 146, 147, 148, and 150 – the five concluding chapters of the Book of Psalms, which are all recited in their entirety during Pesukei D'Zimra – under the classification of "halleluyah" psalms which express praise of God. [13]

Verse 2 is recited by the creeping creatures in Perek Shira. [14] [15]

Verse 5 is recited after saying Mishnayos for the departed. [14]

Catholic Church

The psalm is one of the Laudate psalms or hymn psalms. With Psalm 148 and Psalm 150, Psalm 149 was recited or sung daily during the solemn service of matins, [16] according to the Rule of St. Benedict (530AD). [17]

In the Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm 149 is used for Sunday Lauds of the Roman rite in the first week. [18] It is also used on solemn feasts, because they always use the Psalms for the first Sunday. In the Eucharistic liturgy, it is the Saturday after the Epiphany or before January 7 epiphany, and at Easter, the Monday of the sixth week.

Book of Common Prayer

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer , this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the thirtieth day of the month. [19]

Musical settings

With an incipit about singing, the psalm and especially its first line has often been set to music, in various languages.[ citation needed ] Heinrich Schütz published a composition of its beginning in Latin, "Cantate Domino canticum novum", in 1625 in his Cantiones sacrae as SWV 81, scored for four voices and basso continuo.[ citation needed ] He set the psalm in German, titled Die heilige Gemeine (The holy congregation) as part of the Becker Psalter, as SWV 254.[ citation needed ] Matthäus Apelles von Löwenstern published the hymn "Singt dem Herrn ein neues Lied", a paraphrase of the psalm, in 1644. [20] BWV 411 is Johann Sebastian Bach's four-part setting of Löwenstern's hymn tune. [20] Bach's cantata Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 190, for New Year's Day, and his motet Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225, composed in the 1720s like the cantata, both open with words taken from the beginning of the psalm.[ citation needed ] Jean-Joseph de Mondonville set the psalm as a motet, one of his nine grand motets, in 1734.[ citation needed ]

Antonín Dvořák set the complete psalm for mixed choir and orchestra, as his Op. 79. [21] Bernard Rose set the psalm in English as Praise ye the Lord for unaccompanied double choir in 1949. [22] Philip James set it for choir in 1956.[ citation needed ] Raymond Wilding-White set the psalm for two sopranos, violin and viola.[ citation needed ] English-language hymns paraphrasing Psalm 149, or taking inspiration from it, include "I sing the mighty power of God", "Let all the world in every corner sing", "Lord of the Dance", "Praise the Lord, sing Hallelujah", "Songs of praise the angels sang", and "We sing the mighty power of God". [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 98</span> Psalm of the Book of Psalms

Psalm 98 is the 98th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things". The Book of Psalms starts the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and, as such, is a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 97. In Latin, it is known as "Cantate Domino". The psalm is a hymn psalm, one of the Royal Psalms, praising God as the King of His people. Like Psalms 33 and 96, it calls for the singing of "a new song".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 95</span>

Psalm 95 is the 95th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation". The Book of Psalms starts the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and, as such, is a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 94. In Latin, it is known as "Venite exultemus" or simply "Venite". The psalm is a hymn psalm, one of the Royal psalms, praising God as the King of His people. Psalm 95 identifies no author, but Hebrews 4:7 attributes it to David. The Vulgate also names David as the author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 74</span>

Psalm 74 is the 74th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever?". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 73. In Latin, it is known as "Ut quid Deus reppulisti in finem iratus". Subheaded a maschil or contemplation, and a community lament, it expresses the pleas of the Jewish community in the Babylonian captivity. It is attributed to Asaph.

<i>Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied</i>, BWV 225 Motet by Johann Sebastian Bach

Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225, is a motet by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was first performed in Leipzig around (probably) 1727. The text of the three-movement motet is in German: after Psalm 149 for its first movement, the third stanza of "Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren" for the second movement, and after Psalm 150:2 and 6 for its third movement Psalms 150:2,6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 146</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 146 is the 146th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version, "Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul". In Latin, it is known as "Lauda anima mea Dominum".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 147</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 147 is the 147th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version, "Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate/Vulgata Clementina, this psalm is divided into Psalm 146 and Psalm 147. In Latin, Psalm 146 is known as "Laudate Dominum quoniam bonum psalmus", and Psalm 147 as "Lauda Jerusalem Dominum".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 150</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 150 is the 150th and final psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary". In Latin, it is known as "Laudate Dominum in sanctis eius". In Psalm 150, the psalmist urges the congregation to praise God with music and dancing, naming nine types of musical instruments.

<i>Wer Dank opfert, der preiset mich</i>, BWV 17 Church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach composed the church cantata Wer Dank opfert, der preiset mich, BWV 17 in Leipzig for the fourteenth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 22 September 1726.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 6</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 6 is the sixth psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure". In Latin, it is known as "Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me". This penitential psalm is traditionally attributed to David.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 46</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 46 is the 46th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 45. In Latin, it is known as "Deus noster refugium et virtus". The song is attributed to the sons of Korah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 47</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 47 is the 47th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O clap your hands". The Book of Psalms is the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 46. In Latin, it is known as "Omnes gentes plaudite manibus". The psalm is a hymn psalm. It is one of twelve psalms attributed to the sons of Korah, and one of fifty-five psalms addressed to the "Chief Musician" or "Conductor".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 84</span>

Psalm 84 is the 84th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in the English of the King James Version: "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!". The Book of Psalms forms part of the Ketuvim section of the Hebrew Bible and part of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translations, the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 83. In Latin, the psalm is known as "Quam dilecta tabernacula tua Domine virtutum". The psalm is a hymn psalm, more specifically a pilgrimage psalm, attributed to the sons of Korah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 96</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 96 is the 96th psalm of the Book of Psalms, a hymn. The first verse of the psalm calls to praise in singing, in English in the King James Version: "O sing a new song unto the Lord". Similar to Psalm 98 and Psalm 149, the psalm calls to praise God in music and dance, because he has chosen his people and helped them to victory. It is one of the royal psalms praising God as the King of His people.

<i>Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied</i>, BWV 190

Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 190, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in Leipzig for the New Year's Day and first performed it on 1 January 1724 as part of his first cantata cycle. He adapted it in 1730 to Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 190a, for the celebration of the bicentennial of the Augsburg Confession.

<i>Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied</i>, BWV 190a

Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 90.2, BWV 190a, is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. The work was written in 1730 in commemoration of the Augsburg Confession.

Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele, BWV 143, is an early cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He appears to have composed the cantata for New Year's Day, probably when he was in his 20s, but whether it was first performed in Mühlhausen or Weimar is not known: the date of composition is unclear. Bach's authorship has been doubted because the cantata has several unusual features; one of these is the scoring, it is the only Bach cantata to combine three corni da caccia with timpani.

<i>Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg</i>, BWV 149 Church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach

Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg, BWV 149, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the work in Leipzig for Michaelmas and first performed it in 1728 or 1729. It is the last of his three extant cantatas for the feast.

"Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren" is a Lutheran hymn written in German by the theologian and reformer Johann Gramann in 1525. It was published in 1540 and appears in 47 hymnals. A translation by Catherine Winkworth, "My Soul, now Praise thy Maker!", was published in 1863.

Sing(e)t dem Herr(e)n ein neues Lied is German for "sing unto the Lord a new song". The German expression may refer to:

References

  1. 1 2 Rodd, C. S., 18. Psalms in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary Archived 2017-11-22 at the Wayback Machine , p. 404
  2. ↑ "Psalms, chapter 149". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 Psalm 149: Praise in Their Throats and a Sword in Their Hands. Westminster John Knox Press. 1994. pp. 446–449. ISBN   978-0-66-423747-9.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ Limburg, James (2000). Psalm 149: Let the Faithful Dance. Westminster John Knox Press. pp. 502–503. ISBN   978-0-66-425557-2.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. 1 2 Augustine of Hippo (January 2000). Exposition on Psalm 149. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN   978-0-66-425557-2.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. ↑ Morrison, Chanan (2017). "Psalm 149: The double-edged sword of Shema". Rav Kook Torah. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  7. ↑ Yaakov ibn Rabbi Chaviv (1999). Ein Yaakov: The Ethical and Inspirational Teachings of the Talmud. Jason Aronson. p. 6. ISBN   9781461628248.
  8. ↑ Abramowitz, Rabbi Jack (2018). "Psalms – Chapter 149". Orthodox Union . Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  9. ↑ Psalm 149: NKJV
  10. ↑ Psalm 149:7–9: KJV
  11. ↑ "Psalms – Chapter 149". Mechon Mamre.
  12. ↑ "Psalms 149 - JPS 1917". Sefaria.org.
  13. 1 2 Friedman, Rachel (2014), "Searching for Holiness: The Song of the Sea in the Bible and in the Liturgy", in Birnbaum, David; Blech, Benjamin (eds.), Sanctification, New Paradigm Matrix, pp. 211–212
  14. 1 2 Brauner, Reuven (2013). "Shimush Pesukim: Comprehensive Index to Liturgical and Ceremonial Uses of Biblical Verses and Passages" (PDF) (2nd ed.). p. 51.
  15. ↑ "Perek Shirah" (PDF). Zoo Torah. p. 14. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  16. ↑ Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, p. 124, 185, 228, 275, 328, 378 & 433
  17. ↑ Règle de saint Benoît, chapitres XII et XIII, traduction par Prosper Guéranger, (Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007) p40-41.
  18. ↑ The main cycle of liturgical prayers takes place over four weeks.
  19. ↑ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 308-309
  20. 1 2 Johann Sebastian Bach, chorals: sources hymnologiques des mélodies, des textes et des théologies, p.  118, by James Lyon (2005)
  21. ↑ Psalm 149, Op.79 (Dvořák, Antonín) : Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  22. ↑ "MC:F61/MS1 Original Compositions by Bernard Rose". Magdalen College, Oxford . Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  23. ↑ "Hymns for Psalm 149". hymnary.org. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.