Psalms 149:9 Meaning and Explanation
“To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The saints fulfill the written judgment, and this authority becomes their honor; the psalm concludes with praise.
The Context of Psalms 149:9
The concluding statement that the saints fulfill God's written judgment, which constitutes their honor, followed by a return to the central refrain of praise.
What Does Psalms 149:9 Mean?
'The judgment written' likely refers to God's decrees recorded in Scripture—the standards and sentences pronounced in God's law and covenant. The saints' role is to enact what God has already determined. This frames their military and judicial actions not as arbitrary power but as obedience to God's revealed will.
The final line circles back to praise. Despite the harsh language of judgment, the psalm emphasizes that this role—to execute divine justice—is an honor bestowed on the saints. Being chosen as God's instrument, entrusted with His judgment, is a privilege and glory. The psalm ends as it began: with the call to praise the Lord.
Psalms 149:9 in the Original Language
written (כתוב kâtûb) — inscribed, established; refers to fixed, documented decrees
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 149:9
What does Psalms 149:9 mean?
The saints fulfill the written judgment, and this authority becomes their honor; the psalm concludes with praise.
What is the context of Psalms 149:9?
The concluding statement that the saints fulfill God's written judgment, which constitutes their honor, followed by a return to the central refrain of praise.