Psalms 149:6

KJV

¶ [Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the high {H7319} praises of God {H410} be in their mouth {H1627}, and a twoedged {H6374} sword {H2719} in their hand {H3027};

Complete Jewish Bible

Let the high praises of God be in their throats, but a two-edged sword in their hands

Berean Standard Bible

May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands,

American Standard Version

Letthe high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 149:6 presents a dynamic portrait of God's people, simultaneously engaged in fervent worship and active participation in His divine purposes. This verse vividly combines the spiritual power of exalted praise emanating from the mouths of believers with the imagery of a "twoedged sword" in their hands, symbolizing their spiritual authority and readiness to execute God's righteous judgments and advance His kingdom. It encapsulates the holistic engagement of the faithful in both adoration and the outworking of God's will on earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 149 is one of the "New Song" psalms, characterized by an urgent call to praise God with music, dance, and exuberant adoration. It begins by celebrating God's delight in His people and His adornment of them with salvation and glory (verses 1-5). Verse 6 serves as a crucial transition, bridging the joyful worship of the preceding verses with the depiction of the saints' role in executing divine judgment upon the nations that follows in verses 7-9. This verse highlights that the instruments of praise are inextricably linked with the tools of spiritual authority and the fulfillment of God's righteous decrees. The psalm culminates in a vision of God's saints participating in His ultimate triumph and the establishment of justice, underscoring their active, not passive, role in His kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm likely reflects a post-exilic context, where the people of Israel, having experienced God's salvation, were called to a renewed commitment to His covenant and a readiness to contend with hostile nations. In the ancient Near East, kings and armies often went into battle with shouts of praise or war cries, invoking their deity. This psalm spiritualizes and elevates that concept, portraying God's people as a priestly army whose primary weapon is not carnal but spiritual. The "sword" imagery, while potent, must be understood within the broader biblical narrative of God's justice and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom, often executed through divine means or through His chosen instruments. It speaks to a time when God's people would be vindicated and His enemies subdued, not necessarily through human violence but through the power of God manifested through His faithful.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is rich with several interconnected themes. Firstly, **Fervent Praise** is paramount; the "high praises of God" (Hebrew: *romemot El*) denote an exalted, loud, and passionate adoration that flows from a heart fully devoted to God's majesty and sovereignty. This is not passive worship but an active declaration that empowers believers. Secondly, the theme of **Spiritual Authority and Warfare** is powerfully conveyed by the "twoedged sword in their hand." While the immediate context of [Psalms 149:7-9](/psalms/149-7 "Psalms 149:7-9 - Executing God's Judgment") points to the saints executing God's judgment, the broader biblical understanding, especially in the New Testament, identifies this sword as the [powerful and discerning Word of God](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God as a Twoedged Sword") (as seen in [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God as a Twoedged Sword") and [Ephesians 6:17](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit")). It signifies the spiritual weapon believers wield for truth, discernment, and overcoming spiritual adversaries. Finally, the verse emphasizes **Active Participation**; God's people are not mere spectators but active agents in His kingdom, where their praise aligns them with God's will and empowers them for His work, illustrating a holistic engagement with God's purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **high praises (Hebrew, _rôwmᵉmâh'_):** From the root meaning "to be high, exalted," this word signifies exaltation, praise, or lifting up. It describes worship that is not merely vocal but elevates God above all else, magnifying His attributes and demonstrating His supreme sovereignty. It implies a loud, public, and fervent declaration of God's greatness.
* **mouth (Hebrew, _gârôwn'_):** Literally meaning "throat," this term refers to the organ of speech, emphasizing the vocal and audible nature of the "high praises." It suggests that the praise is not merely internal thought but an outward, expressed declaration, coming from the very core of one's being. The "mouth" here is the instrument through which the heart's adoration is proclaimed.
* **twoedged sword (Hebrew, _pîyphîyâh chereb'_):** The term `chereb` (sword) refers to a cutting instrument, often associated with its destructive effect. `pîyphîyâh` literally means "of mouths" or "having mouths," an idiomatic expression for "two-edged" or "sharp on both sides." This combination powerfully conveys an instrument that is exceptionally sharp, decisive, and capable of piercing and dividing. It is a weapon of judgment, discernment, and effective action, capable of cutting both ways.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This primitive word denotes the open hand, symbolizing power, means, direction, and active agency. In this context, having the sword "in their hand" signifies possession, control, and the active wielding of this instrument. It implies readiness for action, the exercise of authority, and the capacity to execute God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth":** This clause sets the foundation, emphasizing the primary posture of God's people: fervent, exalted, and vocal adoration. It is a command and an aspiration that their worship should be a continuous, prominent feature of their lives, not merely a ritual but a passionate overflow of recognition for God's majesty and saving acts. This praise is directed towards "God" (H410, *ʼêl*), the mighty and powerful One, underscoring the worthiness of the object of their worship.
* **"and a twoedged sword in their hand":** This second clause introduces a striking juxtaposition, linking the spiritual act of praise with the imagery of a potent weapon. The "twoedged sword" signifies an instrument of decisive power, judgment, and spiritual warfare. Its presence "in their hand" implies active possession, readiness, and the capacity to wield this spiritual authority. It suggests that the same people who are engaged in fervent worship are also equipped and empowered for spiritual conflict and the execution of divine purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 149:6 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Juxtaposition**, placing "high praises of God" in the mouth directly alongside a "twoedged sword" in the hand. This creates a striking contrast that highlights the dual nature of the saints' calling: worship and warfare are not separate activities but intimately connected and mutually empowering. The "twoedged sword" functions as a potent **Metaphor** for spiritual authority, discernment, and the active engagement in God's righteous judgments. It is not to be interpreted literally as a call to physical violence, but rather as a symbol of the divine power and truth that God's people wield. Furthermore, the verse uses **Symbolism**, where the "mouth" represents vocal expression and the "hand" represents active agency and power. The entire verse is a form of **Synecdoche**, where the parts (mouth, hand, sword) represent the whole person engaged in a holistic spiritual mission. This rich imagery creates a vivid picture of a worshipping community empowered for effective action in God's kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 149:6 profoundly connects the act of worship with the exercise of spiritual authority and participation in God's redemptive and judicial purposes. It dismantles any notion of passive faith, asserting that fervent praise is not merely an emotional outlet but a powerful spiritual act that aligns believers with God's will and unleashes His power. The "high praises" are an affirmation of God's sovereignty, which inherently challenges all opposing forces. The "twoedged sword" then represents the active outworking of this alignment, often understood as the Word of God, which is living, active, and sharper than any literal sword, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. This verse thus portrays the saints as a "priestly army," whose spiritual weapons are effective against spiritual strongholds and whose worship prepares the way for God's justice to prevail. It speaks to the church's ongoing mission to declare God's truth and participate in the spiritual battle against evil, not through carnal means, but through the power of the Spirit and the Word.

* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")
* [Ephesians 6:17](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit")
* [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4-5 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Spiritual Weapons for Demolishing Strongholds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 149:6 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for contemporary believers. It calls us to recognize that our worship is not separate from our spiritual walk or our engagement with the world. When we offer "high praises" to God, we are not merely performing a religious duty; we are actively declaring His supremacy, inviting His presence, and aligning ourselves with His purposes. This act of worship becomes a powerful spiritual weapon, shifting atmospheres, breaking strongholds, and preparing the way for God's will to be done. Simultaneously, having the "twoedged sword" in our hand means being equipped with and actively applying the truth of God's Word. It implies a commitment to knowing, meditating on, and speaking God's truth, using it to discern, to confront error, and to stand firm against spiritual opposition. This verse compels us to be both devoted worshippers and courageous spiritual warriors, understanding that our praise fuels our power, and our knowledge of the Word directs our actions, enabling us to participate actively in advancing God's kingdom in our lives and in the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal and corporate worship reflect "high praises" that actively declare God's sovereignty?**
* **In what ways do I actively wield the "twoedged sword" of God's Word in my daily life, for discernment and spiritual effectiveness?**
* **How can I better integrate my worship life with my participation in God's mission and spiritual warfare?**
* **What specific "judgments" (in a spiritual sense) might God be calling me or my community to execute through praise and the Word?**

### FAQ
**What does the "twoedged sword" in this verse literally mean, and is it a call to violence?**

Answer: The "twoedged sword" in Psalms 149:6 is a potent metaphor, not a literal call to physical violence. While the immediate context of the psalm (verses 7-9) speaks of executing judgment on nations, this is understood in a spiritual and eschatological sense, referring to God's ultimate triumph over evil. In the New Testament, this imagery is consistently used to represent the Word of God. For example, [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active") describes the Word of God as "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Similarly, [Ephesians 6:17](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit") identifies the "sword of the Spirit" as the Word of God. Therefore, the "twoedged sword" symbolizes the power of God's truth, discernment, and righteous judgment, wielded not for carnal warfare but for spiritual victory and the advancement of God's kingdom.

**How can "high praises" be connected to a "twoedged sword"?**

Answer: The connection between "high praises" and a "twoedged sword" highlights the holistic nature of the believer's engagement with God's purposes. Praise is not merely an emotional expression but a declaration of God's sovereignty and power. When we praise God, we are acknowledging His ultimate authority, which inherently challenges and dismantles opposing spiritual forces. This act of worship prepares the way for God's will to be executed. The "twoedged sword," representing the powerful Word of God, is the instrument through which God's people actively participate in this execution—whether through speaking truth, discerning spirits, or standing against injustice. The verse suggests that fervent worship empowers and activates believers to wield the spiritual authority given to them through God's Word, making praise a form of spiritual warfare that precedes and accompanies the outworking of divine judgment and victory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 149:6 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His church. Christ Himself is the embodiment of both the "high praises of God" and the "twoedged sword." As the Son, He perfectly glorified the Father, offering the ultimate praise through His obedient life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection (e.g., [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father")). He is also the living Word of God, described in [Revelation 1:16](/revelation/1-16 "Revelation 1:16 - Jesus with a Sharp Two-edged Sword") and [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - The Word of God from His Mouth") as having a sharp two-edged sword coming from His mouth, signifying His absolute authority, discerning judgment, and the power of His spoken word. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to participate in this dual reality. We offer "high praises" to God through Christ, our great High Priest ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering a Sacrifice of Praise Through Jesus")). Simultaneously, we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to wield the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" ([Ephesians 6:17](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit")), not for carnal violence, but for spiritual warfare, to demolish strongholds, and to bring every thought captive to Christ ([2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4-5 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Spiritual Weapons")). Thus, Psalms 149:6 foreshadows the New Covenant reality where believers, empowered by Christ and His Word, are both worshippers and agents of His kingdom, proclaiming His glory and executing His righteous purposes in the world.

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

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Psalms 66:17

I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

Revelation 1:16

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.

Revelation 19:6

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Psalms 96:4

For the LORD [is] great, and greatly to be praised: he [is] to be feared above all gods.

Nehemiah 9:5

Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, [and] Pethahiah, said, Stand up [and] bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

Psalms 115:7

They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.