Psalms 149:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the saints {H2623} be joyful {H5937} in glory {H3519}: let them sing aloud {H7442} upon their beds {H4904}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let the faithful exult gloriously, let them sing for joy on their beds.

Berean Standard Bible

Let the saints exult in glory; let them shout for joy upon their beds.

American Standard Version

Let the saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 149:5 calls the "saints"—God's faithful and beloved people—to an exuberant and unceasing expression of joy and praise. This verse transcends the boundaries of public worship, inviting believers to find profound delight in God's presence and the honor He bestows upon them, manifesting this deep-seated joy through vocal worship even in the most private and intimate moments of their lives, such as upon their beds. It portrays a life where devotion is not compartmentalized but permeates every aspect of existence, from public triumph to quiet repose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 149 is the penultimate psalm in the Psalter, forming part of a concluding doxology (Psalms 146-150) that culminates in a universal call to praise. The psalm begins with an urgent summons for God's people to "sing to the Lord a new song" and to praise Him in the assembly of the saints [Psalm 149:1](/psalms/149-1 "Psalm 149:1 - A New Song of Praise"). The preceding verses describe this praise as active and public, involving dancing and musical instruments, celebrating God's delight in His people and His adornment of the humble with salvation [Psalm 149:2-4](/psalms/149-2 "Psalm 149:2-4 - Israel's Joy in Their Maker"). Verse 5 then introduces a more personal dimension to this praise, transitioning from the communal celebration to an individual experience of joy that is so profound it extends into private moments, setting the stage for the subsequent verses that speak of the saints executing God's judgments upon the nations [Psalm 149:6-9](/psalms/149-6 "Psalm 149:6-9 - Saints Execute God's Judgment"). This progression underscores that the power and authority granted to the saints flow from their intimate and unceasing communion with God through praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Psalms, including Psalm 149, reflect the rich tapestry of ancient Israelite worship and life. The concept of "saints" (Hebrew: *chasidim*) refers to those who are loyal to God's covenant, devoted to Him, and recipients of His steadfast love (hesed). In a culture where communal life and public worship were central, the call to praise "upon their beds" would have been particularly striking. Beds, or sleeping places, were symbols of rest, vulnerability, and privacy. To sing aloud in such a setting implies a deep, personal devotion that transcends the structured times of temple worship. It suggests a spiritual discipline where one's thoughts and affections turn to God even in the quiet of the night or during periods of repose, echoing practices like meditating on God's law day and night [Psalm 1:2](/psalms/1-2 "Psalm 1:2 - Delight in God's Law"). This private praise would have been understood as an overflow of a heart truly transformed by God's salvific acts and His glory.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 149 and the Psalter. Firstly, it highlights **Unceasing Praise and Joy**, demonstrating that true worship is not confined to specific times or places but is a continuous attitude of the heart, overflowing into every sphere of life. The call to be "joyful in glory" emphasizes that the saints' joy is rooted in God's manifest presence and the honor He bestows upon them, aligning with the theme of **God's Delight in His People**. The phrase "sing aloud upon their beds" profoundly illustrates **Intimate and Personal Worship**, suggesting that genuine devotion permeates even the most private and vulnerable moments, transforming periods of rest or solitude into opportunities for communion with God. This private communion then empowers the saints for their public role in God's kingdom, connecting to the broader theme of **Divine Empowerment for God's Purposes**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saints (Hebrew, _châçîyd'_):** From the root *chasad*, meaning "to be kind" or "to show loyal love." *Châçîyd* properly refers to one who is "kind" or "pious" in a religious sense, a "godly man" or "holy one." It denotes those who are the recipients of God's loyal love (hesed) and, in turn, demonstrate loyalty and devotion to Him. In this context, "saints" are the faithful, covenant people of God, distinguished by their relationship with Him.
* **Joyful (Hebrew, _ʻâlaz'_):** A primitive root meaning "to jump for joy," "to exult," "to rejoice," or "to triumph." This is not a passive contentment but an active, exuberant, and often demonstrative gladness. It conveys an overflowing, triumphant delight, suggesting a physical expression of joy that might involve leaping or shouting.
* **Beds (Hebrew, _mishkâb'_):** From the root *shâkav* (to lie down), *mishkâb* literally means "a place of lying down," hence a bed, couch, or resting place. Figuratively, it can refer to sleep or even intimate relations. In this verse, its literal meaning emphasizes the private, personal space where one rests, highlighting the pervasive nature of the saints' praise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the saints be joyful in glory:"** This clause is an imperative call for God's devoted people to experience and express profound joy. The "glory" (Hebrew: *kâbôwd*) refers to God's manifest presence, His splendor, honor, and weighty significance, or the honor and dignity He bestows upon His people. The saints are called to find their exuberant joy *within* this divine splendor or *because of* the honor God has granted them. Their joy is not circumstantial but rooted in their identity as God's chosen and glorified people, reflecting His character and their relationship with Him.
* **"let them sing aloud upon their beds."** This second clause extends the imperative, specifying the manner and location of this joy's expression. To "sing aloud" (Hebrew: *rânan*) implies an uninhibited, ringing cry or shout of joy, a triumphant song. The striking phrase "upon their beds" signifies that this praise is not limited to public assemblies or formal worship settings but permeates even the most private, intimate, and vulnerable moments of life. It suggests a heart so filled with God's glory and joy that it overflows into vocal worship even during rest, solitude, or in the quiet of the night, transforming personal space into a sanctuary of praise.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 149:5 employs several potent literary devices. The primary device is the **Imperative** mood ("Let the saints be joyful," "let them sing aloud"), which functions as a command or exhortation, conveying the psalmist's earnest desire and divine instruction for the saints to engage in this profound praise. **Imagery** is powerfully used with "upon their beds," creating a vivid mental picture of private, personal worship. This imagery also functions as **Metonymy**, where "beds" represent the entirety of one's private life, including moments of rest, reflection, and vulnerability. The verse suggests that no part of life, not even the most intimate, is exempt from God's praise. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** or perhaps **Paradox** in the command to "sing aloud upon their beds," as beds are typically associated with quietude and sleep, making the call to vocal, exuberant praise in such a setting all the more striking and emphasizing the depth and pervasiveness of the saints' joy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 149:5 profoundly illustrates the comprehensive nature of true worship, demonstrating that the joy of the Lord is an indwelling reality for believers, transcending public gatherings and permeating every facet of their existence. This verse underscores that the saints' identity in God's glory is the wellspring of their unceasing praise, transforming even moments of private repose into opportunities for intimate communion and triumphant song. It speaks to a faith that is not merely an external performance but an internal disposition of the heart, overflowing with gratitude and adoration for God's steadfast love and the honor He bestows upon His chosen.
* [Psalm 63:6](/psalms/63-6 "Meditating on God in the Night Watches")
* [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Rejoice in the Lord Always")
* [Psalm 4:7-8](/psalms/4-7 "Joy and Peaceful Sleep")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 149:5 is a powerful invitation to cultivate a life of unceasing, intimate worship. It challenges us to consider whether our joy in God is so profound that it overflows into our private moments, transforming our quiet times, our rest, and even our struggles into opportunities for praise. This verse reminds us that true spiritual vitality is not solely dependent on external circumstances or public gatherings, but springs from a deep, personal relationship with God that permeates every corner of our lives. When we are joyful in God's glory, recognizing the honor and salvation He has bestowed upon us, our hearts will naturally well up with song, even in the stillness of our "beds." This practice of private, uninhibited praise strengthens our faith, deepens our communion with the Lord, and prepares us for both the public expressions of worship and the active service He calls us to.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my private life reflect my public worship?**
* **What does it mean for me to be "joyful in glory" in my daily life?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a spirit of praise that permeates my moments of rest and solitude?**
* **How might unceasing, private worship empower me for God's purposes in the world?**

### FAQ
**What does "sing aloud upon their beds" truly mean?**

Answer: "Sing aloud upon their beds" is a vivid poetic image that signifies the pervasive and deeply personal nature of the saints' joy and praise. It means that the joy of the Lord is so profound and indwelling that it overflows into vocal worship even in the most private, intimate, and vulnerable moments of life, such as when one is resting, sleeping, or in solitude. It suggests that praise is not confined to public worship services but is an unceasing attitude of the heart that finds expression even in the quiet of one's personal space, transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for communion with God. This echoes the sentiment of meditating on God's law day and night [Psalm 1:2](/psalms/1-2 "Psalm 1:2 - Delight in God's Law") or remembering God on one's bed during the night watches [Psalm 63:6](/psalms/63-6 "Psalm 63:6 - Meditating on God in the Night Watches").

**Who are the "saints" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: In the context of the Old Testament, "saints" (Hebrew: *châçîyd*) refers to God's faithful, covenant people—those who are devoted to Him, loyal to His commands, and recipients of His steadfast love (hesed). They are the pious, the godly, the holy ones set apart by God for His purposes. While initially referring to the nation of Israel as God's chosen people, the concept expands in the New Testament to include all believers in Jesus Christ, who are called to be holy and set apart for God's glory [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood"). They are those who respond to God's grace with faith and obedience, living lives that reflect His character and delight in His presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 149:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Christ Jesus and His redeemed people. The "saints" of the Old Testament find their perfect embodiment and expansion in those who are made holy and set apart by faith in Christ, becoming part of His spiritual body, the Church [Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Him Before the Foundation of the World"). The "glory" in which they are joyful is supremely revealed in the person and work of Jesus, who is the "radiance of the glory of God" [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory"). Through Christ, believers are not only brought into God's presence but are also granted a share in His glory, becoming co-heirs with Christ [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ"). The call to be "joyful" and to "sing aloud" reflects the new covenant joy that overflows from the Holy Spirit within believers, a joy that is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the finished work of Christ and the hope of His return [Romans 15:13](/romans/15-13 "Romans 15:13 - The God of Hope"). Furthermore, the imagery of singing "upon their beds" beautifully foreshadows the all-encompassing nature of Christ's lordship over every aspect of a believer's life. Through Him, even our private moments of rest, vulnerability, and solitude are consecrated and transformed into opportunities for intimate communion and unceasing praise, as our lives become a living sacrifice of worship, whether we are awake or asleep, in public or in private [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 35:10

But none saith, Where [is] God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Psalms 42:8

[Yet] the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song [shall be] with me, [and] my prayer unto the God of my life.

1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Psalms 145:10

¶ All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

Psalms 118:15

The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

Psalms 92:2

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Psalms 23:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.