Log inSign up

Psalm 149 · a question people ask

"Let them praise his name in the dance!" (149:3). Is dancing part of praise?

In the text

The psalm calls for it: "Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!" (149:3). Dance is machol, which the Hebrew Bible has six times (tap dance). The next psalm has it with the same word for tambourine: "Praise him with tambourine and dancing!" (Psalm 150:4). In Exodus, Miriam "took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances" (Exodus 15:20). And "David danced before the LORD with all his might" (2 Samuel 6:14). The psalm doesn't say more about who dances, or where, than them, the "Israel" and "children of Zion" of 149:2, and these notes don't say how any church should worship.

The verses

“Let Israel rejoice in him who made them. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!”
Psalm 149:2-3 · World English Bible
“Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!”
Psalm 150:4 · World English Bible
“Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.”
Exodus 15:20 · World English Bible
“David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.”
2 Samuel 6:14 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 149

Psalm 149: In the assembly of the saints

Psalm 149 begins and ends with the saints, "the assembly of the saints" (149:1) and "All his saints have this honor" (149:9): one word, chasid, and no other psalm has it three times. And the WEB's two honors are two Hebrew words: kavod in 149:5 and hadar in 149:9.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 149 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 149

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions