Christian prayer
Psalm 149
Psalm 149 from the Bible, with the original text and its meaning.
- 9 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ ׀ שִׁ֣ירוּ לַֽ֭יהוָה שִׁ֣יר חָדָ֑שׁ תְּ֝הִלָּת֗וֹ בִּקְהַ֥ל חֲסִידִֽים׃
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
- 2
יִשְׂמַ֣ח יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל בְּעֹשָׂ֑יו בְּנֵֽי־צִ֝יּ֗וֹן יָגִ֥ילוּ בְמַלְכָּֽם׃
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
- 3
יְהַֽלְל֣וּ 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.
- 4
כִּֽי־רוֹצֶ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה בְּעַמּ֑וֹ יְפָאֵ֥ר עֲ֝נָוִ֗ים בִּישׁוּעָֽה׃
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
- 5
יַעְלְז֣וּ חֲסִידִ֣ים בְּכָב֑וֹד יְ֝רַנְּנ֗וּ עַל־מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָֽם׃
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
- 6
רוֹמְמ֣וֹת אֵ֭ל בִּגְרוֹנָ֑ם וְחֶ֖רֶב פִּֽיפִיּ֣וֹת בְּיָדָֽם׃
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
- 7
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת נְ֭קָמָה בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם תּֽ֝וֹכֵחֹ֗ת בַּל־אֻמִּֽים׃
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
- 8
לֶאְסֹ֣ר מַלְכֵיהֶ֣ם בְּזִקִּ֑ים וְ֝נִכְבְּדֵיהֶ֗ם בְּכַבְלֵ֥י בַרְזֶֽל׃
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
- 9
לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת בָּהֶ֨ם ׀ מִשְׁפָּ֬ט כָּת֗וּב הָדָ֣ר ה֭וּא לְכָל־חֲסִידָ֗יו הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 149 in communal worship, daily prayer or personal devotion. Its call to sing a new song makes it especially fitting for praise and thanksgiving. In the Christian tradition, its closing language about judgment is read in light of God's justice.
Where it comes from
Psalm 149 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible and was originally composed in Hebrew. Its author is not identified. It belongs to the closing group of psalms that begin and end with a call to praise the Lord.

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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 149
How many verses does Psalm 149 have?
Psalm 149 has 9 verses.
What is Psalm 149 about?
It calls God's people to praise their maker with singing, dancing and music. It also speaks of God's delight in the humble and of judgment against the nations.
Who wrote Psalm 149?
The psalm does not name its author, and its authorship is not known.
How long does it take to recite?
Psalm 149 takes under a minute to recite, though a slower, reflective reading may take longer.
Why does Psalm 149 mention swords and judgment?
The closing verses use forceful imagery of God's people carrying out judgment. Christian interpretations vary, with many reading this language in relation to God's final justice or the spiritual struggle against evil.


















