Psalm 149,5: “they shout with joy on their couches” 105 (‘and a sword...’) as Waw adaequationis. This understanding is defended at length by R.J. Tournay, in whose opinion the texts means to say, “Let the praise of God be on their lips, as a two-edged sword in their hand” (9). Tournay’s reading of the text is not very plausible. If in a statement one of the main components directly fits in with the context, while the other can be understood only as serving a comparison (10), the Waw connecting the two of them counts as Waw adaequationis (11). Statements involved are generally maxims, descriptions of recurring situations; they are characteristic of the wisdom literature. Ps 149,6, however, is part of a hymnic text referring to an historical state of affairs. Should this text, nevertheless, express a comparison, then, as far as I can see, only Ps 125,2 would offer a good analogy. In that text, however, the component serving for comparison comes first — as is predominantly the case (12). Moreover, the situation indicated by this component is as real as the one expressing what the text is really about. So, taken as a comparison, Ps 149,6 would probably say, “Like the praises of God in their throats is the two-edged sword in their hands” (13). This reading is in its tenor similar to the traditional one, while the context does not require it. Unquestionably, the psalm speaks of real punishment and revenge (v. 7). As chains and fetters (v. 8) are mentioned alongside the sword (v. 6b), the action indicated seems to aim at subjection (cf. Isa 60,10-12; also 45,14). The subjection of the nations will be a realization of the divine judgement on them (14) and evidence, once more, of YHWH’s pleasure in his people Israel (v. 4). It will be glory for YHWH’s faithful (v. 9b, cf. v. 5a). II The repeated µA; (‘their’) in v. 6 shows the passage of vv. 6-9 to be connected with v. 5. In that verse, the element µtwbkvmAl[, ‘on their couches’, is problematic. Some authors suspect that the text is corrupted here. As handed down, however, it is supposed by the Septuagint. Of those who keep to (9) R.J. TOURNAY, “Le Psaume 149 et la ‘vengeance’ des pauvres de YHWH”, RB 92 (1985) 349-358. Tournay’s view is theologically motivated. Those reading the Waw simply as a conjunction (‘and’) are said to be caught in “une lecture superficielle”, “rendant difficile l’usage d’un tel psaume dans une liturgie de paix et de pardon, d’accueil et de fraternité” (pp. 349-350). (10) The other main component may be bipartite. See Prov 25,20. (11) See the texts mentioned in W. GESENIUS – E. KAUTZSCH, Hebräische Grammatik (Leipzig 281909) § 161a; A.B. DAVIDSON, Hebrew Syntax (Edinburgh 31901) § 151; F. BROWN – S.R. DRIVER – Ch.A. BRIGGS, A Hebrew and English Lexicon. Based on the Lexicon of William Gesenius (Oxford 1906) 253 sub j. Not all the texts mentioned do express a comparison; see J. SAUTERMEISTER, “Psalm 149,6 und die Diskussion über das sogenannte waw adaequationis”, BN 101 (2000) 69-75. G. VANONI, “Zur Bedeutung der althebräischen Konjunktion w. Am Beispiel von Psalm 149,6”, W. GROSS u.a. (Hrsg.), Text, Methode und Grammatik. Wolfgang Richter zum 65. Geburtstag (St. Ottilien 1991) 561- 576, rightly denies that w, used as Waw adaequationis, is equivalent to ‘as’. It can often be rendered by ‘so’. (12) Exceptions are Job 5,7; 12,11. (13) V. 6 is taken as an independent statement, in accordance with Tournay’s translation in the English summary. (14) The notions vengeance, punishment (v. 7) and judgement (v. 9) are apparently of the same level; therefore v. 9a is likely to be coordinate with vv. 7-8.