The first half of Psalm 149 sets the stage for the triumphant ending. In verses one through the first part of verse six, we see the songs of joy and the high praises of God. There is singing and dancing and delight in the Lord. The meek are blessed as God delights in them and beautifies them with salvation. We see a scene of celebration, like that of victory.
Verses five through nine of Psalm 149 tell about the wonderful victory that is coming at the end. This is the time when the Lord will come with the saints to execute judgment on the people and nations that did not believe. The kings and princes that are rebellious against God will suffer the judgment and punishment that has been laid up for them. This is the final victory when the saints come with the Lord and the wicked are punished. However, this is not the judgment of the white throne or the judgment seat of God, which will be the time when the wicked stand before God and are judged directly by Him.
Psalm 149:5,6 says, “5) Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6) Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand.” What is the two-edged sword? It is the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “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.” While the saints sing joyful songs and have the high praises of God in their mouth, they will have the two-edged sword of God’s word in their hands.
Why are the saints to have this two-edged sword in their hand? Psalm 149:7-9a says, “7) To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8) To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9) To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.”
When will the saints come with the Lord to take vengeance on those who will not believe and who rebel against God? At the end of the tribulation period when Jesus comes to reign. Revelation 19:11-16 explains, “11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
How do we know that the armies in heaven that follow Jesus on the white horse will be the saints? We know because of verses five through eight of Revelation nineteen, “5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 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. 7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
For the wicked, this day of judgment will be a fearful day. None will be able to stand before the Lord and His armies. For the saints, it will be a glorious day – a day of gladness and rejoicing, a day of giving honor to the omnipotent Lord God. “Praise ye the Lord!” (Psalm 149:9b)