Revelation 14:3

And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — John records a vision in which the 144,000 sing before the divine throne, the four living creatures, and the elders, immediately following a heavenly sound likened to rushing waters, thunder, and harps.

The words — καινὴν (kainēn) = new and ᾠδὴν (ōdēn) = a song. The text specifies the song is newly composed and exclusively learnable by the redeemed 144,000.

The thread — This new song echoes Revelation 5:9 and stands alongside the song of Moses and the Lamb in Revelation 15:3, while directly continuing the vision of the Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion in Revelation 14:1.

Why it lands — The verse establishes that divine worship originates from God's redemptive act and remains inaccessible to those outside that redemption. It requires the reader to recognize that true understanding of worship is tied to being redeemed from the earth.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Revelation 14:1 Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
Revelation 15:3 and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!
Psalms 98:1 A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.
Psalms 149:1 Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise in the assembly of the godly.
Isaiah 42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them.
Psalms 40:3 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.
Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
Psalms 33:3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.
Psalms 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.