John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And they sung as it were a new song , etc.] The song of redeeming grace; the same with that in ( Revelation 5:9); see the note there: this is to be understood of the 144,000, who sung it before the throne, and before the four beasts and the elders ; that is, publicly in the church, the ministers and members being present; of these; (see Gill on Revelation 4:4); (see Gill on Revelation 4:6); and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth ; out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation; from among the men of the earth, and out of the apostate church, called the earth, in opposition to the pure church, which so often goes by the name of heaven in this book; and these, in consequence of being redeemed by the blood of Christ, were called by grace out of the world; and such only can sing the song of redemption with application to themselves; and say he has redeemed us, and loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood; to none but these is it given to know spiritually and experimentally the mysteries of electing and redeeming grace; the natural and carnal man neither knows nor receives the things of the Spirit of God; nor can he learn them by hearing, reading, study, and conversation, unless it be only in a notional and speculative way. The Jews speak of a new song, which the angels have never used f349 ; it is said, ( Psalm 98:1); sing unto the Lord a new song; a new song, for there is an old song; but this song is what the angels never praised him with, and therefore it is new; and indeed the song of redeeming love is peculiar to men.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Mount Sion is the gospel church. Christ is with his church, and in the midst of her in all her troubles, therefore she is not consumed. Hi presence secures perseverance. His people appear honourably. They have the name of God written in their foreheads; they make a bold and ope profession of their faith in God and Christ, and this is followed by suitable actings. There were persons in the darkest times, who venture and laid down their lives for the worship and truth of the gospel of Christ. They kept themselves clean from the wicked abominations of the followers of antichrist. Their hearts were right with God; and the were freely pardoned in Christ; he is glorified in them, and they in him. May it be our prayer, our endeavour, our ambition, to be found in this honourable company. Those who are really sanctified and justifie are meant here, for no hypocrite, however plausible, can be accounte to be without fault before God. (Rev 14:6-13)
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ αδουσιν 103 5719 V-PAI-3P ως 5613 ADV ωδην 5603 N-ASF καινην 2537 A-ASF ενωπιον 1799 ADV του 3588 T-GSM θρονου 2362 N-GSM και 2532 CONJ ενωπιον 1799 ADV των 3588 T-GPN τεσσαρων 5064 A-GPN ζωων 2226 N-GPN και 2532 CONJ των 3588 T-GPM πρεσβυτερων 4245 A-GPM και 2532 CONJ ουδεις 3762 A-NSM ηδυνατο 1410 5711 V-INI-3S-ATT μαθειν 3129 5629 V-2AAN την 3588 T-ASF ωδην 5603 N-ASF ει 1487 COND μη 3361 PRT-N αι 3588 T-NPF εκατον 1540 A-NUI τεσσαρακοντα 5062 A-NUI τεσσαρες 5064 A-NPF χιλιαδες 5505 A-NPF οι 3588 T-NPM ηγορασμενοι 59 5772 V-RPP-NPM απο 575 PREP της 3588 T-GSF γης 1093 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Beasts (zwwn). Rev., living creatures. See on ch. iv. 6.Redeemed (hgorasmenoi). Rev., correctly, purchased.
