Psalm 144 9

Psalm 144:9 kjv

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Psalm 144:9 nkjv

I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,

Psalm 144:9 niv

I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,

Psalm 144:9 esv

I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

Psalm 144:9 nlt

I will sing a new song to you, O God!
I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp.

Psalm 144 verses

Psalm 144 9 Meaning

Psalm 144:9 expresses the psalmist's deep and personal vow to offer fresh and fervent praise to God. It signifies a commitment to engage in spontaneous, heartfelt worship, particularly through song accompanied by musical instruments, in response to God's divine actions of deliverance, protection, and blessing. The "new song" indicates a worship born from a new experience or renewed understanding of God's goodness, moving beyond habitual or routine expressions of praise.

Psalm 144 9 Context

Psalm 144 is attributed to David and reflects his journey as both a warrior-king and a worshiper. The chapter begins with praise to God as the source of David's strength in battle (Ps 144:1-2) and then transitions to a reflection on human frailty and the longing for God's intervention (Ps 144:3-4). The psalm moves into a fervent plea for God to stretch out His hand and deliver David from his enemies (Ps 144:5-8). It is against this backdrop of both received deliverance and ongoing need for rescue that David vows to "sing a new song" in verse 9. This verse marks a pivot towards a focus on national prosperity and God's blessings on His people (Ps 144:12-15), indicating that the "new song" is a response to the divine hand at work in the life of the king and the nation. Historically, David was a skilled musician and a man often at war, making this blend of warfare and worship characteristic of his life and writings.

Psalm 144 9 Word analysis

• I will sing (אָשִׁירָה, ʾashirah): This is a future tense verb, expressing a deliberate, personal commitment or resolve to praise. It highlights David's conscious choice to worship, not as an obligation but as a volitional act of gratitude and devotion. It reflects a response to God's past and anticipated acts of deliverance.

• a new song (שִׁיר חָדָשׁ, shir chadash): The term chadash (new) indicates freshness, originality, and renewal. It is not necessarily about a tune never before heard, but a song stemming from a new experience of God's mercy, a new understanding of His faithfulness, or a renewed spirit of worship that goes beyond mere routine or repetition. It's often associated with divine intervention and redemption. It is a praise birthed from a current, vital encounter with God's work, acknowledging that God continues to do new and marvelous things.

• to you, O God (לְךָ אֱלֹהִים, lekha ʾElohim): The direct address emphasizes that God alone is the recipient and object of this worship. ʾElohim is a majestic and general term for God, signifying His supreme power and sovereignty. The phrase stresses a personal relationship and directed praise, not general reverence.

• upon a ten-stringed harp (עֲלֵי נֵבֶל עָשׂוֹר, 'ale nēvel 'asor):

  • נֵבֶל (nevel): This refers to a type of stringed instrument, often translated as a lute, lyre, or harp. It was a common instrument in Temple worship and secular settings. Its presence emphasizes the physicality and intentionality of the worship—it's not just internal but expressed through skill and dedication.
  • עָשׂוֹר ('asor): Meaning "ten" or "ten-stringed." This specifies the instrument's particular design. While some traditions link "ten" to completeness or a perfect measure of praise, primarily it describes the specific instrument (a ten-stringed instrument) common in liturgical worship. Its mention highlights the psalmist's commitment to skillful and precise musical offering, often symbolizing dedicated excellence in worship.

• I will play to you (אֲזַמּרָה לָךְ, ʾazammerah lakh):

  • אֲזַמּרָה (ʾazammerah): Another future tense verb, meaning "I will make music" or "I will sing praise accompanied by an instrument." This reinforces the active, deliberate nature of the worship and specifies the action of instrumental praise.
  • לָךְ (lakh): Again, "to You" (feminine singular, though God is masculine, common in poetry for emphasis or archaic form), affirming God as the sole audience and focus of this musical performance.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "I will sing a new song to you, O God": This phrase encapsulates the psalmist's personal resolve and the nature of the worship. It's a spontaneous, heart-felt, renewed expression of praise directed solely to the Sovereign God, born out of recent or ongoing experience of His divine acts. It stands in contrast to rote or obligatory worship, highlighting vitality and authenticity.
  • "upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you": This complements the vocal praise with instrumental worship. It emphasizes that praise involves skill, dedication, and the use of material creation (the instrument) in glorifying God. The "ten-stringed" aspect highlights either the specific type of quality of instrument or suggests an encompassing, full-hearted musical offering. It signifies an intentional and prepared act of worship.

Psalm 144 9 Bonus section

The concept of a "new song" in the Bible often accompanies momentous acts of divine intervention or new covenantal revelations. It's linked with God initiating a fresh phase in His redemptive plan, whether it's deliverance from oppression, the establishment of a king, or ultimately, the salvation accomplished through the Messiah. This personal vow by David to sing a new song foreshadows the universal new song sung by the redeemed in Revelation, testifying to God's ultimate victory and redemptive work in Christ Jesus. It reflects that worship is dynamic and responsive to God's ongoing activity in the world and in our lives. The skill applied to playing the ten-stringed instrument further suggests that God is worthy of our very best—our most cultivated talents and deepest devotion. It's not just about heartfelt intent, but also about offering a quality of praise that reflects the excellence of the One being praised.

Psalm 144 9 Commentary

Psalm 144:9 reveals the depth of a worshiper's response to God's power and grace. David, often depicted as a man of war, here stands as a profound worship leader. The promise to "sing a new song" is not a call for musical novelty but for spiritual freshness. It speaks of a heart continually renewed by God's faithfulness, unable to express its gratitude through mere traditional hymns, but compelled to utter a fresh cry of praise for His current mighty acts. This "new song" often emerges from deliverance, reflecting the profound truth that God's intervention in our lives—His rescues, provisions, and protection—should ignite new, vibrant praise within us.

The specific mention of the "ten-stringed harp" elevates the act of worship from mere casual singing to an intentional, skillful offering. It reminds believers that worship is not only internal but also expressed externally, involving our faculties, skills, and even our possessions. True worship engages the whole person and employs resources—time, talent, and instrument—for God's glory. It is a purposeful act, meant to honor God with excellence, embodying a joyous and complete dedication of one's artistry and devotion to the Creator of all. This verse encapsulates the balance between spontaneous gratitude and structured, skilled worship, both directed intimately towards God.