The Meaning of Psalms 149:6 Explained

Psalms 149:6

KJV: Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

YLT: The exaltation of God is in their throat, And a two-edged sword in their hand.

Darby: Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand:

ASV: Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[Let] the high  [praises] of God  [be] in their mouth,  and a twoedged  sword  in their hand; 

What does Psalms 149:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 149:1-9 - The Praise-Songs Of God's People
Israel was formed into a nation and delivered from Babylon, that her singers should lead the praises of mankind, and her teachers provide the metaphors and phrases for the world's religious nurture. "This people have I made for myself," said the Most High, "that they might show forth my praise." Is it not also our Christian duty to be joyful in our King? Our religious life has not enough ecstasy and gladness in it to attract the world, which is sad enough beneath its outward gaiety.
Psalms 150:1-6
A worthy close to the Psalter. Ten times the summons to praise rings out, and ten is the number of perfection. Think of the tears and groans, the questionings and perplexities, the feeble faith and disappointed aspiration, that have preceded! Now it all finishes thus! So life will finish! Our Misereres will be forgotten in the outbursting Jubilates . The first three books of the Psalter end with Amen and Amen, the firm expression of faith. The fourth book with Amen, Hallelujah, as though faith were beginning to be lost in glad realization. But here, at the end of all, there is one abounding and unhesitating Hallelujah!
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 149

1  The prophet exhorts to praise God for his love to the church
5  And for that power which he has given to the church

What do the individual words in Psalms 149:6 mean?

[let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth and a sword two-edged in their hand
רוֹמְמ֣וֹת אֵ֭ל בִּגְרוֹנָ֑ם וְחֶ֖רֶב פִּֽיפִיּ֣וֹת בְּיָדָֽם

רוֹמְמ֣וֹת  [let]  the  high  praises 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: רֹומֵמֻת  
Sense: uplifting, arising.
אֵ֭ל  of  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
בִּגְרוֹנָ֑ם  [be]  in  their  mouth 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: גָּרֹון  
Sense: neck, throat.
וְחֶ֖רֶב  and  a  sword 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: חֶרֶב  
Sense: sword, knife.
פִּֽיפִיּ֣וֹת  two-edged 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: פִּיפִיּׄות  
Sense: tooth, edge, mouth.
בְּיָדָֽם  in  their  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.