What Does Psalm 149:7 Mean in the King James?
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew word behind “punishments” also names “rebuke,” so the verse’s severe judgment carries the force of direct confrontation.
THE MEANING
The verse names vengeance against the nations and punishments against the peoples. Both clauses make its judgment collective in scale and severe in force.
THE ROOT
תּוֹכֵחֹת
tokhechot
GROWS FROM
יכח
y-kh-ch
To prove, decide, or reprove.
The KJV’s “punishments” carries a hard penal edge, while this Hebrew word comes from the same root as “rebuke” and “reprove.” That shared root does not soften the verse: the reproof here is directed against peoples as judgment.
ALSO GROWS
tokhechah: Rebuke, reproof.
תּוֹכֵחָה
This related noun shows that the root behind “punishments” also names direct correction.
hokhiach: To rebuke, reprove, or reason with.
הוֹכִיחַ
This verb is used for rebuking a neighbor in Leviticus 19:17, revealing the same root in a direct confrontation between people.
נְקָמָה
neqamah
GROWS FROM
נקם
n-q-m
To avenge; to exact retribution.
This root names the answering act of vengeance, not simply the heat of anger. Here it stands beside the rebuke-word, joining forceful requital with direct confrontation of peoples.
ALSO GROWS
naqam: To avenge, take vengeance.
נָקַם
The verb shows the action contained in the noun “vengeance” in this verse.
noqem: Avenger; one who takes vengeance.
נֹקֵם
This form names the one who carries out the act, making the root’s link between vengeance and its agent visible.
THE PATTERN
Scripture frames vengeance as a matter of the LORD’s reckoning rather than private repayment.
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.THE THREAD
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.The Hebrew word translated “punishments” in Psalm 149:7 comes from יכח, the same root behind “rebuke” here. The scale differs, one neighbor in Leviticus, whole peoples in the psalm, but the shared root reveals judgment that confronts wrong directly.
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