The expression “A new song,” is found in numerous places in Scripture (e.g., Pss. 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1; Isa. 42:10; Rev. 5:9, 14:3). The idea behind the statement is profound. In Psalm 33, there is overwhelming adoration for Yahweh; the Psalmist begins the two preceding verses with outcries of exaltation: “Rejoice in Yahweh…” and “Praise Yahweh!” In vs. 4, he explains, “For the word of Yahweh is right…” In Psalm 40, Yahweh “put a new song” in the mouth of David – a cause to rejoice! Psalm 96 opens with this outcry, “O sing to Yahweh a new song…” and then gives the reason for such adulation: “For Yahweh is great, and greatly to be praised!” He is not like the created gods (Idols) — He is the Creator-God. While many of the Psalms illustrate our point very well, perhaps no other passage declares it as vividly as Revelation 5:9-10, the throne scene of the Apocalypse of John. As John is mourning the scroll no one is worthy to open (5:1-4), one of the elders consoles him: “Do not weep. Behold…” The Lamb. As the Lamb that had been slain came and took the scroll from Him who sat on the throne, the heavenly host broke out in chorus of a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ¹⁰And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” 

They are not satisfied singing the same truths over and over again. While there is great value in that repetition (a future article will address this topic), the idea that God is great and greatly to be praised should prompt us always to seek out ways to express our devotion to Him better. 

Think about the profundity of the song sung in the heavenly courts. He is “worthy to take the scroll…” No one else could approach the Holy throne of the Holy One, yet He could. Is He not worthy of our most profound devotion and worship? Through the work of the Lamb, we can all approach Him who sits on the throne (Eph. 2:18; 3:12; Heb. 10:19f). He was “slain,” but did not stay slain! No other person has ever come back to life and stayed alive, yet He did. Does that not separate Him in our minds as a Being worthy of awe and reverence? He “redeemed us to God” through His work. From “every” nation, His blood has brought us back to the throne. There has never been an Emperor who could unite all peoples under a single banner, yet He could. Is He not deserving of such recognition? Not only did He buy us out of slavery, but He elevated us to a place in His kingdom and priestly service. No longer bondage, sin, and inevitable destruction; royalty and jubilation will now be our lot. How could we not long for a new song, a song desiring new and richer ways to express His unfailing love and faithfulness and our deep yearning for Him?