While reading Psalms 144 and 149 the phrase “new song” sang out to me for a closer look. I am not musical enough to inscribe my verses on staffs and apply rhymes. My notes will be more on the practical side and just discuss the occurrences of the phrase “new song”.

There are many songs in the Bible (BibleGateway – Keyword Search: song). I might consider some “new” songs even if they are not labeled as that: Moses and Miriam in Exodus 15, Deborah in Judges 5, David in 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18, the heavens, earth, and mountains in Isaiah 49:13, and songs from the Holy Spirit as mentioned in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.

The phrase “new song” is used nine times in Scripture by Moses, David, Isaiah, and John the Revelator.

• Psalm 96:1
• Psalm 98:1
• Psalm 33:3
• Psalm 40:3
• Psalm 144:9
• Psalm 149:1
• Isaiah 42:10
• Revelation 5:9
• Revelation 14:3

I believe Moses wrote Psalm 96 and 98 as part of a series of Psalms (90 – 100) to get the Israelites to know their God better.

These are observations and thoughts joined with bullet points.

• The first seven on the list are “sing” (actually #40 is “has put”); the last two are “they sang”.
• Learn from the verse that “new song” appears in, but place it in context with the rest of the Psalm/prophesy. The Psalm bodies carry a variety of things to sing about.
• Psalm 40 and 144 have a ten-string lyre or harp in it, as does Ps 92:3. That instrument is a kinnor. The kinnor shares the shape of the Sea of Galilee.
• Psalm 149 is a Hallelu Yah psalm. That is Praise the Lord.
• Isaiah 42:10 is part of a Jesus prophecy with a call for a “Light to the Gentiles”.
• For a different read; take Psalm 33:1-3 and repeat it before reading verses 10, 12, 16, and 20. For Psalm 40:1-3 and read it again before 6, 9, 11, 13, and 17.
• Psalm 33 had several repeating ideas and words.

Hebrew Concordance: ḥā·ḏāš — 16 Occurrences new

Hebrew Concordance: šîr — 50 Occurrences song

Greek Concordance: καινὴν (kainēn) — 11 Occurrences new

Greek Concordance: ᾠδὴν (ōdēn) — 5 Occurrences song – these five are in Revelation