Psalms 144:9

¶ 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.

I will sing {H7891} a new {H2319} song {H7892} unto thee, O God {H430}: upon a psaltery {H5035} and an instrument of ten strings {H6218} will I sing praises {H2167} unto thee.

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

I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You—

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: Upon a psaltery of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Commentary

Psalm 144:9 is a verse expressing the psalmist's intent to offer fresh praise to God, specifically through music. It signifies a commitment to acknowledging God's goodness and power with renewed vigor and specific means.

Context

Psalm 144 is attributed to David and appears to be a compilation of themes from earlier psalms, particularly Psalms 18 and 8. The psalm begins as a prayer for deliverance from enemies and for the prosperity of the nation (verses 1-8, 11-15). Verse 9, along with verse 10, transitions to a declaration of praise and trust in God, likely in anticipation of or in response to God's promised help and victory. It places the act of worship within the context of God's mighty acts of salvation and blessing.

Key Themes

  • Renewed Praise: The phrase "sing a new song" implies a fresh reason or a new depth of gratitude for God's actions.
  • Musical Worship: The mention of specific instruments ("psaltery" and "instrument of ten strings") highlights the role of instrumental music in ancient Israelite worship.
  • Commitment to God: The verse is a personal declaration ("I will sing") of devotion and praise directed specifically "unto thee, O God."
  • Gratitude for Deliverance: While not explicit in this single verse, the context of Psalm 144 suggests this "new song" is prompted by God's past or anticipated deliverance.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sing a new song" (shiyr chadash) is found multiple times in the Psalms and other prophetic books. It often signifies praise for a new act of salvation or a fresh revelation of God's character. The "psaltery" (nebel) and "instrument of ten strings" (asor) were common stringed instruments used in Temple worship and other celebratory contexts in ancient Israel.

Commentary and Application

David's promise to sing a new song is a powerful expression of worship. It's not just repeating old praises, but finding fresh inspiration from God's ongoing work in his life and the life of the nation. This new song is accompanied by musical instruments, emphasizing that worship can be vibrant and utilize the arts.

For believers today, singing a "new song" can mean several things:

  • Finding new reasons to praise God as He works in our lives daily.
  • Expressing our worship with genuine sincerity and freshness, not merely going through the motions.
  • Acknowledging God's specific, recent acts of grace, provision, or deliverance.

The use of instruments underscores that our worship can and should engage our creativity and all the resources we have to honor God. Just as David promised to praise God with specific instruments, we are called to use whatever gifts and means we have to declare His glory and sing praises unto Him.

This verse encourages us to keep our praise current and heartfelt, always finding new ways to acknowledge the unchanging goodness of God who continues to act on behalf of His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 33:2

    Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings.

  • Psalms 33:3

    Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

  • Psalms 40:3

    And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

  • Psalms 81:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

  • Psalms 81:3

    Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

  • Psalms 149:1

    ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise in the congregation of saints.

  • Psalms 150:3

    Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.