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.
Sung - `sing.'
As it were, х hoos (G5613)]. So A C, Vulgate. It is AS IT WERE a new song: for it is, in truth, as old as God's eternal purpose. But 'Aleph (') B, Syriac, Coptic, Origen, Andreas, omit.
New song - (Revelation 5:9-10.) The song is that of victory after conflict with the dragon, beast, and false prophet: never sung before; for such a conflict was never fought before. Until now Christ's kingdom on earth was usurped. They sing the new son in anticipation of His taking possession of His blood-bought kingdom with His saints.
Four beasts - `four living creatures.' The harpers and singers include the 144,000 (cf. Revelation 15:2-3, where the same act is attributed to the general company of saints). Not as Alford, 'the harpers and song are in heaven, the 144,000 on earth.' Still, the 144,000 here are distinguished from the four living creatures, which represent the elect Church: as though the latter had the priority in heaven.
Redeemed, х eegorasmenoi (G59)] - 'purchased.' Not even the angels can learn that song; for they know not experimentally what it is to have 'come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb' (Revelation 7:14).