Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Sing unto the Lord a new song ] That is, as we have often had occasion to remark, an excellent song, the best we can possibly pronounce.
So the word dj chadash is often understood; and so the word novus, "new," was often used among the Latin writers: - Pollio amat nostram, quamvis sit rustica, musam.
Pollio et ipse facit NOVA CARMINA. VIRG. Ecl. iii., ver. 84.
Pollio loves my lines, although rude: Pollio himself makes excellent odes.
Tamely and inexpressively translated by Dryden: ] "Pollio my rural verse vouchsafes to read. My Pollio writes himself." O what a falling off is here! Servius, in his comment on nova, says, magna, Miranda. Nova means great, admirable.
So on novum nectar, Ecl. v., ver. 71, he says, id est, magna dulcedo; "nectar of EXCELLENT flavor." Congregation of saints.- The Israelites, who were, by profession and by injunction, a holy people.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - New mercies continually demand new songs of praise, upon earth and in heaven. And the children of Zion have not only to bless the God wh made them, but to rejoice in him, as having created them in Chris Jesus unto good works, and formed them saints as well as men. The Lor takes pleasure in his people; they should rejoice in Him. When the Lor has made sinners feel their wants and unworthiness, he will adorn the with the graces of his Spirit, and cause them to bear his image, an rejoice in his happiness for ever. Let his saints employ their wakin hours upon their beds in songs of praise. Let them rejoice, even upo the bed of death, assured that they are going to eternal rest an glory.
Original Hebrew הללו1984 יה3050 שׁירו7891 ליהוה3068 שׁיר7892 חדשׁ2319 תהלתו8416 בקהל6951 חסידים׃2623
