Psalms 149:8

8 to bind their kings in chains, their leaders in chains of iron;

Psalms 149:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 149:8

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters
of iron.
] Which is thought to allude to what was done to the Canaanitish kings, in the times of Joshua; and to the princes of Midian by Gideon; and to Agag by Saul; and to the Ammonites, Syrians, and others, by David: but it refers either to the first times of the Gospel, and the influence of the sword of the Spirit over the hearts of men; and on some very great personages, as kings and nobles, brought to Christ and his churches, in chains of powerful and efficacious grace, declaring a ready and cheerful subjection to his Gospel and ordinances; such as Constantine, Theodosius, and others; and who were instruments in subduing, conquering, and destroying tyrannical and persecuting emperors and princes, as Maximilian, Licinius, and others; see ( Isaiah 45:14 ) ; and more instances of the power of the Gospel, and the influence of divine grace on such persons, there will be in the latter day; see ( Isaiah 49:23 ) ( Isaiah 60:3 Isaiah 60:11 ) ( Psalms 72:10 Psalms 72:11 ) . It may also respect the use of the Gospel ministry, compared to a twoedged sword on the hearts of men in common; whereby Satan, the strong man armed, who keeps the palace as a king or prince, is dispossessed; and sin, which reigns like a king unto death, is dethroned, and grace is set up as a governing principle. But it may chiefly regard the destruction of antichristian kings and nobles, and their states, through the prevalence of the Gospel and the power of Christ, and the twoedged sword coming out of his mouth, ( Revelation 17:14 ) ( 19:19-21 ) .

Psalms 149:8 In-Context

6 Let them shout aloud as they praise God, with their sharp swords in their hands

7 to defeat the nations and to punish the peoples;

8 to bind their kings in chains, their leaders in chains of iron;

9 to punish the nations as God has commanded. This is the victory of God's people. Praise the Lord!