Psalms 40:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he hath put {H5414}{H8799)} a new {H2319} song {H7892} in my mouth {H6310}, even praise {H8416} unto our God {H430}: many {H7227} shall see {H7200}{H8799)} it, and fear {H3372}{H8799)}, and shall trust {H982}{H8799)} in the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will look on in awe and put their trust in ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

American Standard Version

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 Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 40:3 beautifully articulates the psalmist's profound gratitude for divine deliverance, expressed through a "new song" of praise to God. This personal experience of salvation and the subsequent public declaration of worship are presented not as private acts, but as powerful testimonies intended to impact others. The verse anticipates that many who witness God's transformative work will be moved to reverential awe and ultimately place their trust in the Lord, highlighting the ripple effect of individual faith and God's redemptive actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 40 is a composite psalm, often divided into two main sections: a psalm of thanksgiving (verses 1-10) and a lament (verses 11-17). Verse 3 falls squarely within the thanksgiving section, serving as the climactic expression following the psalmist's vivid description of his rescue from a "horrible pit" and "miry clay" in [Psalm 40:1-2](/psalms/40-1 "Psalm 40:1-2 - Waiting on the Lord and Deliverance"). The "new song" is the direct, joyful outcome of this miraculous intervention, contrasting with the previous state of despair. This psalm also contains a significant messianic prophecy in verses 6-8, which is quoted in [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Sacrifice Fulfills the Law"), connecting the psalmist's commitment to God's will with Christ's ultimate obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, communal worship and individual testimony were integral parts of religious life. Psalms, by their very nature, were songs and prayers intended for public and private devotion. The concept of a "new song" (Hebrew: _shir chadash_) often appears in contexts of fresh divine acts of salvation or creation, signifying a praise that is unprecedented because the act of God inspiring it is unprecedented. Public declarations of God's faithfulness served not only to honor God but also to instruct and encourage the community. The "fear of the LORD" was a foundational principle in Israelite wisdom and worship, signifying not terror but a profound, reverential awe and submission to God's sovereignty and holiness (e.g., [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")).
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Deliverance and Initiative** is central, as God is the one who "put a new song in my mouth," emphasizing His active role in salvation. Secondly, **Praise and Worship as a Response** highlights that true worship flows from a grateful heart experiencing God's goodness. This praise is not merely an emotional outburst but a conscious, public declaration. Thirdly, **The Power of Testimony** underscores that personal encounters with God's saving power are meant to be shared, serving as a witness to others. Finally, **Reverential Awe and Trust** are presented as the desired outcomes for those who witness God's work, leading them to acknowledge His majesty and place their confidence in Him. This progression from observation to fear to trust is a powerful model for evangelism and discipleship, as seen in the broader narrative of God's interaction with humanity, inviting them to [trust in the Lord with all their heart](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **New Song (Hebrew, _shir chadash_):** This phrase signifies more than just a recently composed melody. It denotes a song born out of a fresh, unprecedented act of divine salvation or revelation. It implies a qualitative difference—a praise that is vibrant, spontaneous, and uniquely fitting for a new experience of God's saving power. It contrasts with old laments or rote recitations, representing a transformed heart and a renewed reason for worship. This concept appears elsewhere in Scripture, often marking a significant turning point or a new era of God's redemptive work, such as in [Isaiah 42:10](/isaiah/42-10 "Isaiah 42:10 - Sing to the Lord a New Song").
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yare_):** In this context, _yare_ does not mean terror or dread, but rather a profound, reverential awe, respect, and worship. It signifies a proper understanding of God's majesty, power, holiness, and justice, leading to humble submission and obedience. Witnessing God's deliverance evokes a response that acknowledges His supreme authority and invites a right relationship with Him, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep, transformative reverence.
* **Trust (Hebrew, _batach_):** This word implies security, confidence, and reliance. It speaks of placing one's full weight and hope upon God, believing in His faithfulness and ability to deliver. It is the natural progression from reverential fear; once God's power and holiness are acknowledged, the appropriate response is to confidently lean on Him for salvation and guidance. It is a state of secure dependence, knowing God is utterly dependable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God:":** This clause highlights divine agency. It is God who initiates the transformation, replacing the psalmist's lament or despair with a vibrant, fresh expression of praise. The "new song" is intrinsically linked to God's specific act of deliverance, making the praise authentic and deeply personal. It's not just any song, but "praise unto our God," indicating its sacred purpose and direction. The "mouth" here represents the instrument of vocal worship, signifying a public, audible declaration.
* **"many shall see [it],":** This phrase emphasizes the public and observable nature of the psalmist's transformed life and praise. God's work in an individual is not meant to be hidden; it serves as a visible testimony. The "it" refers not just to the song itself, but to the entire experience of deliverance and the resulting praise, which becomes a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness. This sets the stage for the ripple effect of personal testimony.
* **"and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.":** This describes the anticipated twofold reaction of those who witness God's work. First, they will "fear" (reverence) God, acknowledging His power and holiness as manifested in the psalmist's life. This reverential awe then leads to the second response: they "shall trust in the LORD," placing their faith and confidence in Him. This progression illustrates how a visible testimony of God's grace can lead others to both acknowledge His sovereignty and personally rely on Him for their own salvation and well-being.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 40:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The central device is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "a new song in my mouth." The "new song" is a metaphor for the psalmist's transformed state of being and his spontaneous, heartfelt praise that replaces former lament or silence. It's not literally a new musical composition, but a new reason and capacity for praise. The "mouth" also functions as **Synecdoche**, where a part (the mouth) stands for the whole (the act of speaking or singing praise). The verse also demonstrates a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship: God's deliverance (implied from previous verses) causes the new song, which in turn causes "many" to "see," "fear," and "trust." This highlights the **Testimony** or **Witness** function of the psalmist's experience, where his personal encounter with God becomes a public demonstration of God's power and faithfulness, inviting a response from observers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God's redemptive work in individual lives is not merely for personal benefit but is intended to be a public declaration that draws others to Him. The "new song" is a testament to God's transformative power, turning despair into delight and silence into praise. This dynamic underscores the evangelistic nature of authentic worship and personal testimony. When believers genuinely express gratitude for God's deliverance, it becomes a compelling witness, inviting onlookers to acknowledge God's sovereignty ("fear") and place their faith in Him ("trust"). This principle resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God's glory is magnified when His people declare His mighty acts, leading to a ripple effect of conversion and deeper faith within communities and beyond. The praise of one becomes the pathway to faith for many.

* [Psalm 33:3](/psalms/33-3 "Psalm 33:3 - Sing a New Song")
* [Psalm 96:1](/psalms/96-1 "Psalm 96:1 - Sing to the Lord a New Song")
* [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song of the Redeemed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 40:3 serves as a powerful reminder that our personal experiences of God's grace are not meant to be kept private. When God delivers us from our "horrible pits" – whether they be despair, sickness, sin, or difficult circumstances – He places a "new song" in our mouths. This "new song" is our authentic, heartfelt praise, born out of gratitude and a renewed understanding of His faithfulness. The application for us today is to embrace this public dimension of our faith. Our testimonies, shared humbly and sincerely, possess the power to impact those around us. When others "see" the genuine transformation and praise in our lives, it can awaken in them a reverential awe for God and inspire them to place their own trust in Him. We are called to be living witnesses, allowing our lives and our worship to become a compelling invitation for others to encounter the delivering power of the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "horrible pit" has God delivered you from, and what "new song" has He placed in your mouth as a result?**
* **How can you intentionally share your "new song" or testimony in a way that encourages others to "fear and trust in the LORD"?**
* **In what ways does your personal praise contribute to the broader witness of the church to the world?**
* **How does understanding the "fear of the LORD" as reverential awe rather than terror change your perspective on approaching God?**

### FAQ
**What does "new song" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The "new song" (Hebrew: _shir chadash_) in Psalms 40:3 signifies more than just a recently composed melody. It represents a fresh, spontaneous, and deeply authentic expression of praise that arises from a new and specific act of divine deliverance or revelation. It contrasts with routine or traditional forms of worship, indicating a profound, transformative experience of God's saving power that gives the psalmist an unprecedented reason to sing. It's a song born out of a renewed heart and a fresh understanding of God's faithfulness, often associated with a new covenant or a significant turning point in God's redemptive plan (e.g., [Psalm 96:1](/psalms/96-1 "Psalm 96:1 - Sing to the Lord a New Song") or [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song of the Redeemed")).

**How does one's personal testimony lead others to "fear and trust" God?**

Answer: The psalmist's experience illustrates a powerful principle: when God's transformative work is genuinely expressed through a believer's life and praise, it becomes a visible and compelling witness. "Many shall see it" implies that the change in the psalmist, and his subsequent praise, is observable. This observation leads to a two-fold response:
1. **"Fear":** Witnessing God's intervention evokes a sense of reverential awe (_yare_) in observers. They recognize God's power, majesty, and holiness as demonstrated in the psalmist's deliverance, acknowledging His supreme authority.
2. **"Trust":** This reverential awe then naturally progresses to trust (_batach_). As people see God's faithfulness and power at work in another's life, they are encouraged to place their own confidence and reliance upon Him. The testimony serves as a tangible example that God is trustworthy and capable of delivering. This process is a foundational aspect of evangelism, where personal stories of God's grace become a means by which others come to faith, as the apostle Paul explains how faith comes by hearing the word of Christ ([Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 40:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist sings of his personal deliverance, Christ is the ultimate deliverer, the one who truly puts a "new song" in the mouth of all who believe. His perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, is the unparalleled act of salvation that provides the greatest reason for a "new song." The "horrible pit" from which humanity is rescued is sin and death, and Christ's work on the cross is the definitive act of liberation. The "new song" in the mouth of the redeemed is praise for the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a song of salvation that transcends any individual deliverance. Furthermore, Christ's entire life, death, and resurrection serve as the ultimate public testimony, seen by "many." His work on the cross and His triumph over death are the most compelling demonstration of God's power and love, leading countless individuals throughout history to "fear" (reverence) and "trust" in the Lord. He is the one through whom all creation is reconciled, and His name is above every name, inspiring a universal "new song" of worship and adoration for the one who purchased us with His blood ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation") and [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song of the Redeemed")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 33:3

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

Psalms 103:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.

Psalms 103:5

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalms 34:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

Psalms 34:6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 52:6

¶ The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

Revelation 14:3

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.