Psalms 149

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

1Praise the LORD! Sing a brand new song to him. Praise him when God's people are gathered together.

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

2Let Israel be glad, because God made them. Let the people of Zion be happy in their King.

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

3Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music for him with drums and harps.

NoteA timbrel is a small hand drum, much like a tambourine.

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

4The LORD is pleased with his people. He saves those who are humble and makes them shine.

Note"Meek" in the old wording means humble, or bowed down low by hard times.

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

5Let God's people be glad for this honor. Let them sing for joy, even lying in their beds.

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

6Let them shout high praise to God out loud. Let them hold a sharp sword in their hand.

NoteA "two-edged sword" is sharp on both sides of the blade.

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

7They will pay back the other nations for their wrongs. They will punish those peoples.

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

8They will tie up the kings of those nations with chains. They will lock their leaders in iron cuffs.

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

9They will carry out the judgment God has written down. This honor belongs to all of God's people. Praise the LORD!