In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

COMMENTARY ON PSALM 149 L L E LUI A, Alleluia.l Those after the return who triumphed through divine aid over those many nations urge that this hymn be offered. It also contains a prophecy of the achievements of the Maccabees.2 (2) Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of holy ones (v. 1): celebrating God is proper not for the lawless but for the holy ones. [1993] Let Israel be glad in its Maker; and let children ofSion rejoice in their king (v. 2). While the God of all things is everyone's God, he is styled king peculiarly of the Israelites. So once they were stricken with ingratitude and requested another king be made for them, God said to Samuel, "It is not you but me they have rejected from reigning over them."3 Let them praise his name in dancing, let them sing to him on drum and lyre (v. 3). On every instrument, he is saying, let us sing the praises of our benefactor according to the Law. (3) Because the Lord takes pleasure in his people (v. 4). He has regaled us with much loving-kindness, he is saying, and shown us his characteristic goodness. And he will exalt gentle people with salvation : those bereft of help and practicing good behavior he will make to appear illustrious and of high station. Holy ones will boast in glory and be happy in their beds (v. 5): those esteeming righteousness will have a good name and enjoy deep repose; he called repose bed, lying down implying repose. 1. For the likely transposition of one "Alleluia" from the close of the previous psalm, where it formed an inclusion, see note I there. 2. Weiser remarks: "From the fifth century AD up to the present day the psalm has constantly been interpreted as referring to Maccabean times, though the composition itself does not go beyond very general allusions which fit into every age." Theodoret is aware of such an interpretation, but like the moderns prefers to find an application of his own. 3. I Sam 8.7. With the end of the Commentary in sight, Theodoret is dispatching verses at a rapid rate, Scriptural documentation down to a minimum, no alternative versions on offer. 370 COMMENTARY ON PSALM 149 371 (4) The high praises ofGod in their throat (v. 6): they constantly proclaim the divine favors, celebrating the one responsible for them. Double-edged swords in their hands for wreaking vengeance on the nations, reproofs on the peoples (vv. 6-7). Conquest in war is not inconsistent with repose; conquest, in fact, is more satisfying than complete repose. In these words, then, he foretells the Maccabees' valor, exercised by them in subduing neighboring peoples and struggling against the Macedonians. (5) For binding their kings in fetters, and their nobles in iron manacles (v. 8). History teaches that many things of that kind were achieved by those men, and for anyone willing it is easy to read the inspired composition to learn the truth. For executing on them a judgment recorded (v. 9). What they did in justice against [the enemies] was written down and to this day remained their unforgettable glory;4 in fact, he added, This will be the glory for all his holy ones: holiness is the mother of good reputation, and its devotees become celebrated for it. 4. The reference is not patent, as Chrysostom admitted, as do modern commentators . Theodoret, not for admitting ignorance, and here in obvious haste, settles for an unconvincing application to the Maccabees. ...

Share