A new song. — This expression occurs in Psalms 96:1; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Jdt. 16:13, and was adopted in Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3. The term apparently marked the revival of national psalmody after the Captivity. “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare ... Sing unto the Lord a new song” (Isaiah 42:9-10).
Play skilfully with a loud noise. — The latter words represent a Hebrew expression of common hymnic use, describing the full choral effect when instruments and voices were joined in the service of the sanctuary (Psalms 95:1; Psalms 100:1, &c). Some, however, limit it (after Leviticus 25:9) to the trumpet accompaniment, and render —
“Strike the harp deftly for him,
Amid the blare of trumpets.”