279. And they sang a new song. (5:9) This symbolizes an acknowledgment and glorification of the Lord as being the only judge, redeemer and savior, thus God of heaven and earth.

These are the themes contained in the song that they sang, and whatever is contained is also symbolized. To illustrate, an acknowledgment that the Lord is a judge in contained in the words that follow next, "You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals;" that He is a redeemer, in the words, "because You were slain and have redeemed us by Your blood;" that He is a savior, in the words, "and have made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth;" and that He is God of heaven and earth, in the words, they "fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever" (verse 14).

An acknowledgment that the Lord alone is God of heaven and earth and that His humanity is Divine, or else He could not be called Redeemer and Savior, is something that did not exist in the church before. Therefore it is called a "new song."

[2] A song also symbolizes a glorification, which is a joyful confession of the heart, because a song uplifts, causing the heart's affection to break out into sound and display itself powerfully in its life.

The Psalms of David, too, are nothing other than songs, for they had musical accompaniment and were sung. Consequently in many places they are called songs, as in Psalms 18:1; 33:1, 3; 45:1; 46:1; 48:1; 65:1; 66:1; 67:1; 68:1; 75:1; 76:1; 87:1; 88:1; 92:1; 96:1; 98:1; 108:1; 120:1; 121:1; 122:1; 123:1; 124:1; 125:1; 126:1; 127:1; 128:1; 129:1; 130:1; 132:1; 133:1; 134:1.

[3] That songs served to heighten the life's love and thus its joy is apparent from the following:

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! ...Make a joyful noise to Jehovah, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice... (Psalms 98:1, 4-8)

Sing to Jehovah a new song... Let Israel rejoice in its Maker... Let them sing praises to Him... (Psalms 149:1-3)

Sing to Jehovah a new song... Let (them) lift up their voice... (Isaiah 42:10-11)

Sing, O heavens...! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains... (Isaiah 44:23; 49:13)

Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song... (Psalms 81:1-2)

Gladness and joy will be found in (Zion), confession and the sound of singing. (Isaiah 51:3, cf. 52:8-9)

Sing to the Lord... Cry out and shout, O daughter of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! (Isaiah 12:5, 6)

My heart is ready..., I will sing and make music. Awake, my glory! ...I will confess You, O Lord, among the nations; I will play to You among the peoples. (Psalms 57:7-9)

And so likewise many other places.