Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the congregation of the saints.
Psalms 149:1
Note and Biblical References on Psalms 149.1 “Praise the LORD”- (Read also vers 9 and Psalms 104:35) This is a psalm of joyful praise to God the Creator and Saviour of His people (vers 1-5), and as avenger of wickedness (vers 6-9).
“New song” – Read Psalms 40:3; 96:1 and Revelation 5:9. Godʼs mercies are new every morning (Read Lamentations 3:22-23), so there are daily reasons for making new songs of praise for all the saints to sing.
May Israel rejoice in Him who made Him; may the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Psalms 149:2
Note on Psalms 149:2 –
“Who made Him”- that is, Israel should rejoice in God Who made them into a nation when they had been but slaves in Egypt.
“King” – not the earthly but the heavenly one (Read in Psalms 10:16; 47:6; Zechariah 9:9 and Revelation 19:16).
May they praise His name with the dance; may they sing praises to Him with the tambourine and harp.
Psalms 149:3
Note and Biblical Scripter References on Psalms 149:3 –
See Exodus 15:20; 2 Samuel 6:14-15. Believers should have such joy in the Lord Jesus Christ that the body too becomes involved in the expression of it.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people. He will beautify the meek with salvation.
Psalms 149:4
Note and Biblical Scripter References on Psalms 149:4 -“Pleasure”– Read Psalms 147:11. Here is a reason for great joy and praise. Though we are poor and sinful the Lord delights in us, not for what we are in ourselves but for what He is making us to be in Christ (Read Ephesians 2:10 and Philippines 1:6). He saves us from the ugliness of sin and gives us the holy beauty of His salvation and begins the work of sanctification which will result in fullness of beauty (Read Ephesians 5:25-27). Godʼs people are Godʼs masterpiece and He delights in them. “Meek” or “humble” – Read Psalms 9:12; 10:17; Proverbs 16:19; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 18:4 and James 4:6, 10.
May the saints be joyful in glory. May they sing aloud on their beds.
Psalms 149:5
Note on Psalms 149.5 –
What an honor it is to be the people of the one true almighty, sovereign, righteous, reigning God, made beautiful with His salvation! No one has more cause to joy then to our Lord Jesus Christ hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
May the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
Psalms 149:6
To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishment on the peoples,
Psalms 149:7
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
Psalms 149:8
To execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this honour. Praise the LORD!
Psalms 149:9
Note and Biblical Scripter References on Psalms 149:6-9
Israel in the Old Testament was an instrument in Godʼs hand to inflict Godʼs vengeance on wicked people. Read Numbers 31:2; Deuteronomy 7:1-2. In these New Testament days the weapons of our warfare are not physical but spiritual (Read 2 Corinthians 10:4 and Ephesians 6:17). We fight wickedness by proclaiming the marvelous mighty, righteous Word of God, by faith and by prayers. At the end of this age Christ will appear to take vengeance on Godʼs enemies (Read in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 and Revelation 19:11-16). At that time His people will be with Him and share in His judgment of the earth (Read in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3).
This is clear evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer, 2 Thessalonians 1:5
Note and Biblical Scripter References on Thessalonians 1:5 – “Evidence” – faithfully enduring trials (journeys) and persecutions that come to us because we believe in our Lord Jesus Christ is evidence that our faith is genuine and living. It is evidence also of “the righteous judgment of God”. It means that Godʼs decision to choose them and work among them was vindicated by their perseverance in the faith. Compare Philippines 1:27-28.
Seeing it is a righteous thing for God to repay tribulation to those who trouble you,
2 Thessalonians 1:6
Note and Biblical References on 2 Thessalonians 1:6 –
See reference on “Repay”- on Numbers 31:1-3; Deuteronomy 32:35, 41; Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30.
“A righteous thing…to repay” – a truth seen everywhere in the Bible (Read Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 9:16; 11:7; 89:14; 111:7; Proverbs 29:26; Isaiah 30:18; Daniel 4:37; Romans 3:26 and Revelation 15:3; 16:5-7). God shows His justice both by punishing the wicked if they refuse to repent, and by giving eternal relief to those who suffer for His kingdom (vers 7). Compare Romans 2:6-11.
and give rest to you who are being troubled, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2 Thessalonians 1:7
Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:7 – “When the Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed”- God may sometimes take vengeance on people and rescue believers here and now, but for the most part these matters await the end of this age when Christ comes. Then all things will be made right, and absolute justice will prevail and all men will see that it is prevailing.
“Revealed” – observe that Paul says relief will come to Godʼs people in His Church at the revelation of Christ when He comes to punish the wicked, not at some time before that. Compare Matthew 24:29-30; 1 Corinthians 1:7 and Titus 2:13.
See References on “Angels”- at Matthew 24:31 and Jude 14.
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:8
Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians
1:8 – See ref on “Fire” – at Hebrews 10:27; 12:29; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 19:11-16; Isaiah 66:15; 30:27; 24:6.
“Taking vengeance” – God does not take delight in punishing anyone. Read in Ezekiel 18:23, 30-32; Joel 2:13 and 2 Peter 3:9. But when people refuse to repent and continue to sin, God in justice will justify them. Compare Exodus 34:6-7 and Nahum 1:3. If God left the guilty unjustified He would not be just, and the universe would be a chaos without moral order…
“Those who do not know God” – people who do not know the one true God because they do not want to know Him, and they refuse any offer to know Him. They prefer their sin to Godʼs fellowship. Compare John 3:19-20; Romans 1:18-25 and Ephesians 4:17-19.
“Do not obey the gospel” – evidently this refers to those who have heard the gospel and refused it. They want what they mistakenly regard as their freedom rather than obedience to God. Observe here that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is something to obey, and not merely something to believe. Compare Matthew 7:21, 24; Acts 5:32; Romans 6:17; Hebrews 5:9 and 1 Peter 1:22; 4:17. In fact, truly believing the gospel results in obedience to it. Believing and obedience are joined together and cannot be separated. Compare James 2:14-26. Faith is not a passive thing. Read in Acts 22:10 and Hebrews 11:4.
They will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power, 2 Thessalonians 1:9
Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:9 – See references on – “Everlasting destruction” – at 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; Galatians 6:8; Philippines 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 3:7, 12, 16 and Revelation 17:8, 11. Destruction means utter ruin, the second death (as Read in Revelation 21:8). The Bible does not say that such people cease to exist. Compare Matthew 25:46 and Luke 16:26.
“From the presence of the Lord”- compare Matthew 7:23; 25:41 and Revelation 22:15-16. This is what their destruction will mean. They will be cut off forever from God who is the only source of blessing, joy and peace. This is what they chose during their lives (see vers 8), and this is what they will get.
It is God’s perfect will and precious divine timing that they will be justified…
See reference on “Glory of His power” – at Isaiah 2:10-11, 19, 21.
when He comes to be glorified in His saints and admired among all believers (because our testimony among you was believed), in that day. 2 Thessalonians 1:10
Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:10 – See references on “Glorified”– in John 17:10 and Ephesians 1:12, 14.
“Saints” – All true believers in Christ (Read in Romans 1:7 and 1 Peter 2:9).
“Admired” – what admiration will seize us when we finally meet Him in all His Glory!
“Among all believers” – our Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in those who believe in Him, and only they will share His glory.
“Our testimony among you was believed” – Read in 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10. “In that day”– compare 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and Isaiah 2:12.
Therefore we always pray also for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power,
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:11 – “We always pray” – Read Romans 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:16; 3:16; Philippines 1:4, 9; Colossians 1:3, 9, 21 and 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 3:10.
“Worthy” – As in vers 5 and in Ephesians 4:1; Philippines 1:27; Colossians 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 2:12.
“This calling” – Read in Ephesians 4:1 and Romans 1:6; 8:30.
“And fulfil…with power” – compare Psalms 90:17 and Isaiah 26:12. It is because of His working in us that we are able to accomplish any work of faith – Read in Philippines 2:13 and Ephesians 2:10
that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:12
Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:12 – “Name” – Christians bear Christʼs name before the world (Read in 1 Peter 4:16).
“Glorified in you” – this will happen when Jesus comes (vers 10); it should happen now also… Read in 1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31; Colossians 3:17 and 1 Peter 4:11…
“You in Him” – those in whom the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified He will glorify in Himself. Compare John 17:10, 22 and Romans 8:30.
“Grace” – everything connected with the salvation of believers and their blessing is all of grace (Read in Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9). The last phrase of this verse may also be translated “our God and Lord, Jesus Christ”.
“The LORD bless you, and keep you. The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Much love in Jesus Christ,
our Wonderful, dear, caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe and abundantly do receive, throughout His marvelous righteous Word, and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️
💫 Emmanuel 💫
