Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
3. in the dance ] This, and not pipe (A.V. marg.), is the right rendering here and in Psa 150:4. Dancing was a natural expression of joy among the Jews as among other nations of antiquity, in all periods of their history, on occasions of religious as well as secular festivity. Cp. Exo 15:20; Jdg 11:34 ; 2Sa 6:14; Jer 31:4; and for a description of the torch-dance, which formed part of the festivities of the Feast of Tabernacles in the later post-exilic period, see Delitzsch in the Expositor, 1886 (2), pp. 81 ff.; Hastings’ Dict. of Bible, 1. 550. Even the leading men of the city and famous teachers joined in it, and it was a current proverb that he who had not seen this joy had not seen any joy in his life.
timbrel ] The tambourine, or hand drum, frequently mentioned in connexion with dances and processions (Psa 68:25).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Let them praise his name in the dance – Margin, with the pipe. The Hebrew word here – machol – is rendered dancing in Psa 30:11; dance, as here, Psa 150:4 (where also the margin has pipe); Jer 31:13; Lam 5:15; dances, Jer 31:4. It does not elsewhere occur. On the verb chul, see Psa 10:5, note; Psa 51:5, note. Here it cannot be improper to regard it as referring to that measured tread, or solemn movement which sometimes constituted a part of worship: 2Sa 6:14. Such a movement cannot be proved to be wrong in worship; whether it is wise or expedient is a different matter. Customs in worship change as the customs of a people change; and that might be very proper in one stage of society, or in one period of the world, which, though not in itself wrong, might be very unadvisable in another. There was much in the Hebrew mode of worship which cannot be transferred to the forms of Christian worship without an obvious incongruity and disadvantage; and because a thing has been done, and is not in itself wrong, we should not infer that it should always be done, or that it would be always best. If people like the Shakers dance in worship, they have an undoubted right to do so, and it may be the most edifying mode of worship for them with their low notions of religion; let not others ridicule them; nor let others go to see them as they would any other outre performance from idle curiosity. Such absurdities might soon die away if they were not kept alive by the notice which they attract, and by the foolish curiosity of wiser people. There are some things which are more certain to come to an end by neglect than they could by sober argument; some things which live merely because they are ridiculed, and because they who practice them are exalted into conspicuity by their own folly, and by the idea that they are martyrs.
Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp – On these instruments, see the notes at Isa 5:12; notes at Job 21:12; notes at Psa 68:25; notes at Psa 81:2.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. Let them praise his name in the dance] bemachol, with the pipe, or some kind of wind music, classed here with toph, the tabor or drum, and kinnor, the harp. ” machol,” says Parkhurst, “some fistular wind-instrument of music, with holes, as a flute, pipe, or fife, from chal, to make a hole or opening.” I know no place in the Bible where machol and machalath mean dance of any kind; they constantly signify some kind of pipe.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
According to the usage of that time and dispensation.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. in the dance (Ps30:11). The dance is connected with other terms, expressive ofthe great joy of the occasion. The word may be rendered “lute,”to which the other instruments are joined.
sing praisesor, singand play.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Let them praise his name in the dance,…. In a chorus of saints, joining together in their expressions of joy, by words and gestures; an ancient practice that went along with singing praises,
Ex 15:20; or rather, “with the pipe” k, as some render it; a musical instrument used in former times in the worship of God, in this part of it, praising his name, with those that follow;
let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp; the former of these was a vessel of brass, a drum or tabret, on which they beat, perhaps like one of our kettle drums; the other was a stringed instrument of music much used, and in playing on which David was very skilful: the music of these was typical of the spiritual melody made in the heart to the Lord in singing his praises, to which there are allusions in Gospel times; though the instruments themselves are now laid aside, being only suited to the church in her infant state, when under tutors and governors; see Ps 68:25.
k “cum tibia”, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Amama.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) In the dance.Rather, as margin, with the pipe. The use of the word machl in what was evidently a list of all the orchestral instruments used in the Temple in the next psalm, would alone be almost decisive of the meaning. But one possible derivation is certainly in favour of this rendering, as also the translation in the Syriac version by the name of a flute still found in Syria. Its connection, too, with the timbrel or drum (comp. our pipe and tabor), just as a cognate, chall, is connected in 1Sa. 10:5; Isa. 5:12, points the same way. (See Bible Educator, i. p. 70, and Note to Son. 6:13.)
Timbrel.See Exo. 15:20; Bible Educator, i. 314.
Harp.See Psa. 33:2.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. In the dance Hebrew, With the mahhol. , ( mahhol) from , ( hhool,) to twist, turn, writhe, is supposed to indicate the “dance,” from the twisted and contorted motions of the actor, or the round “dance,” dancing in a circle. It occurs, with its derivative mehhoolah, fourteen times, and is always translated “dance” in our English Version, except once, (Son 6:13,) though in the text, and in Psa 150:4, the marginal reading is pipe, which is probably the true idea. The mention in the text, of the mahhol with the timbrel, ( toph,) or tambourine and harp, would seem to be sufficient to class it with their musical instruments. This is corroborated by Jdg 21:21, where the English translation, “If the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances,” should be: “If they come out to dance with meholoth, or musical instruments,” of whatever kind. Professor Marks, (Smith’s Dic. of the Bible, article Dance,) quotes Joel Brill, an author of the first authority on this subject, who says: “It is evident from the passage (Psalm cl, 4) ‘Let him praise his name with the toph, [timbrel] and mahhol,’ that the latter must here mean some musical instrument, and this, he adds, is the opinion of the majority of scholars.”
Dr. A. Clarke says: “I know of no place in the Bible where the word means dance, but constantly some kind of pipe,” and quotes Parkhurst as sustaining the same opinion. So also Rosenmuller.
As the English version now stands, it would authorize the opinion that dancing was a familiar accompaniment of the higher forms of praise among the Hebrews. We have already had occasion to say, (see note on Psa 30:10,) that this is unsustained by history. The marginal reading is better: “Let them praise his name with the pipe.” A form of solemn dance, did accompany some of their triumphal celebrations, such as are recorded Exodus 15; 2Sa 6:14; 2Sa 6:16; but the evangelical spirit predominated. A notable instance is given Psalms 68. Dancing is not there specified, but from Psa 68:11; Psa 68:25, it seems probable. Let the reader examine the psalms composed and sung on the occasion of the second removal of the ark, at which David danced, and judge whether his example countenances modern social dancing, or justifies any custom of religious dancing. In the religious rites of the heathen it was common, but always, with them, irreverent, gay, and lewd. With the Hebrews it never received the sanction of Moses, nor attained a permanency. The reference of Jdg 21:21, indicates the custom at a time proverbial for irregularities. See notes on Psa 30:11; Psa 42:4
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 149:3. Let them praise his name in the dance In order to vindicate the Scriptures of the Old Testament from the charge of encouraging or even tolerating the dances which are practised in modern times, and which are in perfect contrariety to communion with God, and of course to the spirit of true religion, I think it necessary to make the following remarks on the sacred dances of the Hebrews. The different customs of different nations, always varying from each other, and even from themselves at different times, make it utterly impracticable, especially at this distance of time, to give any satisfactory account of the mode in which the sacred dances of the Hebrews were conducted: and it is the more so, because the modern usage has appropriated and confined this practice only to entertainments of levity and gaiety, so as to make the ideas of solemnity and gravity wholly contrary to, and inconsistent with, that of dancing. It is certain, however, that the ancient Hebrews, upon the greatest occasions of joy and triumph, did use the solemn dance. Different companies of them, as they excelled in different ways, did jointly contribute, according to their respective abilities, to express the general joy: and while some afflicted at the national ceremony with vocal and some with instrumental music, others performed the solemn dance. The first mention which we find made of this in scripture, is as early as the days of Moses, upon the deliverance from Pharaoh; when Miriam, Moses’s sister, sang the ode which her brother had composed upon that occasion; and she took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dances, Exo 15:20-21. Thus Jephtha’s daughter came to welcome her father upon his successful return from battle, with timbrels and dances, Jdg 11:34.; and that this custom continued to the time of David, appears not only from this verse, and Psa 149:4 of the following psalm, but from what is said of his own conduct in this way, when he brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom, to mount Zion. Upon that most solemn occasion, we find that he divested himself of his royal robes, and being clothed in a robe of fine linen, and with a shorter garment, a linen ephod, girt about him over that, he danced before the ark. Compare 2 Samuel 6 with 1Ch 15:25; 1Ch 15:29. From these observations it is evident, that the solemn dances of the ancient Hebrews, which are mentioned in scripture, have no similarity with the dances of modern times, which are almost necessarily accompanied with extreme levity and carnal gaiety.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
I beg to call the reader’s attention to a proper idea on the subject of dancing, from what is here said of it, and to observe, that even from hence, if there were no other passages in the word of God concerning it, a moment’s recollection might convince him, that it never could wean that frivolous, childish, and (when we consider its tendency) may we not add, too often sinful custom, used in modern times. To praise God’s name in the dance, as this Psalm expresseth it, carries with it somewhat solemn, grave, and full of devotion. Thus Miriam went forth to lead the Israelitish women in the dance, after the destruction of Pharaoh at the Red Sea; and the words of the song which accompanied that dancing most decidedly prove, that nothing of a wanton or trifling nature could mingle in that solemnity: Sing ye to the Lord (saith Miriam) for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea, Exo 15:21 . Now let the reader pause, and ask himself whether the dancing recorded in Scripture was in the least similar to the dancing of modern times? Could any of the frivolous characters of the present day, among our men and women, or the young children of both sexes, while (to use the language of the prophet, with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go) they trip it in the dance; could they be supposed to say, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done gloriously? And if such language would ill accord with their vain employments, must we not look for some better and higher meaning in the dancing referred to in Scripture? Isa 3:16 . It hath been supposed, and the idea is not altogether destitute of propriety, that the dancing of the Scripture, was an imitation of the heavenly bodies, in the revolution of the planets. For when we consider, that, from the earliest times, the study of astronomy became not only a favorite science, but a most useful one to guide the traveler, there seems to be no small reason wherefore pious and devout minds might not be supposed to adopt some plan of exercise, which is called dancing, to express holy, joy, and thankfulness to the Lord, upon any remarkable occasion, in their solemnities; and while singing to the Lord’s praise, attempt to imitate those works of the Lord, in which the fixed stars perform their regular order and motion. I do not presume to say that this was the case; but I do venture to believe, that whether the idea be founded us certainty or not, the dancing of the Scriptures was as foreign from the dancing so called of the present day, as light is opposite to darkness. And I cannot but earnestly recommend to parents of the rising generation, to discountenance a practice the reverse of all godliness, as dancing is, and rather let their young ones be taught to bend the knee before God.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Ver. 3. Let them praise his name in the dance ] Or, with the pipe, tibiis et tympanis et omni musices organicae genere, by all lawful means possible.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
In the Hebrew this verse is an Introversion:
them praise His name.
the dance.
the drum and harp.
them sing praises unto Him.
name. See note on Psa 20:1.
timbrel = drum. See note on Exo 15:20.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
in the dance: or, with the pipe, Psa 150:4, *marg. Exo 15:20, Jdg 11:34, 2Sa 6:16, Jer 31:13
with the timbrel: Psa 33:2, Psa 81:2, Psa 137:2-4, Psa 150:3-5, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 15:29, 1Ch 16:42, 1Ch 25:6, 2Ch 29:25, Ezr 3:10
Reciprocal: Jdg 21:21 – dance 2Sa 6:14 – danced 1Ch 15:16 – the singers 2Ch 5:12 – cymbals 2Ch 20:28 – with psalteries Neh 12:27 – thanksgivings Psa 30:11 – dancing Psa 92:3 – instrument Jer 31:4 – again Dan 3:10 – the cornet Luk 15:25 – he Rev 14:2 – harpers