Revelation 5:9-10
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The song's "newness" isn't just about a fresh tune; it's a completely new theme, celebrating the accomplished work of redemption through Christ's blood. This isn't a song of hope for a future salvation, but a powerful declaration of His past victory, purchased with His very life.
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The elders and living creatures are presenting a new song in heaven, celebrating the Lamb's worthiness to open a sealed scroll that contains God's plan. This moment is significant because the scroll's opening signifies the unfolding of God's purposes for creation and redemption. The song directly addresses the Lamb, acknowledging that His sacrificial death is the basis for His authority to execute this plan.
Why is this song 'new'? It celebrates something that has just been accomplished, a victory hard-won.
The elders sing a 'new song' because it's a song of redemption, a theme that couldn't be fully celebrated until Christ's work was completed. Before His sacrifice, redemption was anticipated; now it's a reality. This emphasizes that worship isn't just about acknowledging God's eternal nature, but also His powerful, specific actions in history, particularly the saving work of Jesus.
This new song highlights the finished work of Christ: 'for You were slain, and You ransomed people.' This isn't a song of hope for what might happen, but a triumphant declaration of what has been done through His death and resurrection.
What was the cost of our freedom, and who was it for?
The heart of the song declares that Jesus is worthy because 'by Your blood You ransomed people.' This points to the sacrificial death of Christ as the ultimate price paid for our freedom from sin and its consequences. The blood signifies life given – a life for many.
The text then expands the scope: 'from every tribe and language and people and nation.' This isn't just for one group of people, but for all humanity. Christ's sacrifice broke down every barrier – ethnic, linguistic, cultural – making salvation available to everyone, everywhere. This universality emphasizes God's inclusive love and the boundless reach of Christ's atoning work.
Understand the original words
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ōdē · Greek Noun
A theme describing a fresh revelation of God's redemptive work. It signifies the response of the redeemed to a new act of salvation or manifestation of God's glory.
axios · Greek Adjective
Deserving of honor, glory, and worship due to one's character and deeds. In Scripture, God and the Lamb are the only ones worthy of supreme exaltation.
haima · Greek Noun
The life-force of an organism. Biblically, blood is the necessary price for the atonement of sins, signifying the sacrifice of a life to secure salvation.
agorazō · Greek Verb
To liberate or rescue someone from captivity or debt through the payment of a price. It is the act of purchasing freedom for those enslaved to sin.
basileia · Greek Noun
The reign or dominion of God. For believers, this involves a present spiritual reality and a future eternal state where they share in Christ's rule.
hiereus · Greek Noun
Mediators who have direct access to God and are tasked with offering sacrifices of praise and service. In Christ, all believers possess this identity.
basileuō · Greek Verb
The exercise of authority and governance. It refers to the eternal participation of the saints in the sovereign rule of Christ over the new creation.
This passage calls for a 'new song' to be sung to the Lord, echoing the 'new song' in Revelation that celebrates God's redemptive work, particularly through His servant (who is understood to be Christ).
1 Peter 1:18-19It explains that believers were 'ransomed' not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, mirroring Revelation's emphasis on Christ's blood as the price of redemption.
Galatians 3:13This verse states that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, highlighting the 'purchase' aspect of redemption through His sacrificial death.
Colossians 1:13-14It declares that God 'has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins,' which aligns with the concept of ransoming people for God.
Romans 3:23-24This passage speaks of all having sinned and falling short of God's glory, but being 'justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,' showing that redemption is a universal offer for all humanity.
pulpitRevelation 5:9: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"
Verse 9. - And they sung a new song, saying. They sing; the worship is unceasing. The song is new because it is only now, subsequent to the accomplishment of Christ's work of redemption, that the song can be sung. It is not" Thou art worthy, for thou wilt redeem…
ellicottRevelation 5:9: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"
(9, 10) And they sung a new song, saying . . .— Better, And they sing a new song, saying. The use of the present (“sing”) is another example of that intensity of interest of which the change of tense in the last verse afforded an instance. As he records his visi…
The song's "newness" isn't just about a fresh tune; it's a completely new theme, celebrating the accomplished work of redemption through Christ's blood. This isn't a song of hope for a future salvation, but a powerful declaration of His past victory, purchased with His very life.
The elders and living creatures are presenting a new song in heaven, celebrating the Lamb's worthiness to open a sealed scroll that contains God's plan. This moment is significant because the scroll's opening signifies the unfolding of God's purposes for creation and redemption. The song directly addresses the Lamb, acknowledging that His sacrificial death is the basis for His authority to execute this plan.
The elders and living creatures are presenting a new song in heaven, celebrating the Lamb's worthiness to open a sealed scroll that contains God's plan. This moment is significant because the scroll's opening signifies the unfolding of God's purposes for creation and redemption. The song directly addresses the Lamb, acknowledging that His sacrificial death is the basis for His authority to execute this plan.
"And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation, and…" — The song's "newness" isn't just about a fresh tune; it's a completely new theme, celebrating the *accomplished* work of redemption through Christ's blood. This isn't a song of hope for a future salva…
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Last reviewed October 2026