Psalms 149:4

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

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

American King James Version (AKJV)

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

American Standard Version (ASV)

For Jehovah taketh pleasure in his people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

For the Lord has pleasure in his people: he gives the poor in spirit a crown of salvation.

Webster's Revision

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

World English Bible

For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation.

English Revised Version (ERV)

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

Definitions for Psalms 149:4

Meek - Gentle; tender; free from pride.

Clarke's Psalms 149:4 Bible Commentary

The Lord taketh pleasure in his people - The pleasure or good will of God is in his people: he loves them ardently, and will load them with his benefits, while they are humble and thankful; for,

He will beautify - יפאר yephaer, he will make fair, the meek, ענוים anavim, the lowly, the humble with salvation, בישועה bishuah; which St. Jerome thus translates, Et exaltabit mansuetos in Jesu, "And he will exalt the meek in Jesus." Whether this rendering be correct or not, there is no other way by which the humble soul can be exalted, but by Jesus, as the redeeming Savior.

Barnes's Psalms 149:4 Bible Commentary

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people - Let them rejoice on this account. He loves them; he approves their conduct; he bestows his favors upon them. All this should add to their joy, and fill their hearts with gladness. Compare the notes at Psalm 35:27. The Hebrew word here rendered "taketh pleasure" conveys the idea of complacency, satisfaction, delight. It is the opposite of being pained or offended. God has complacency in his people. He delights in their welfare; he delights in doing them good.

He will beautify the meek with salvation - The word here rendered beautify means to adorn, to honor, as the sanctuary, Isaiah 60:7 (rendered glorify); and it here means that the salvation which God would bestow upon them would be of the nature of an ornament, as if they were clothed with costly or splendid raiment. Compare Psalm 132:16. The word meek here means humble or lowly, and may refer to those who are humble in rank or condition, or those who are humble in heart. Perhaps the two ideas are here combined. They have not external adorning, but God will give them an honor and beauty in salvation which no outward adorning could impart.

Wesley's Psalms 149:4 Bible Commentary

149:4 The Lord - He rejoiceth over them to do them good. Beautify - Heb. adorn, make them amiable and honourable in the eyes of the world, who now hate and despise them. The meek - All true Israelites are such.