3.  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.

Vs. 2, 3.—­“Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King....  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.”—­(Ps. cxlix. 2, 6.) Unterrified by the roaring of the beasts of prey, these followers of the Lamb lift their voices in unison; and whether on mountains or in valleys, in dens or in caves of the earth, their songs of praise ascend to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.  The symphony is heightened by the “voice of harpers, harping with their harps.”  And if any person be so ignorant as to ground an argument on these words, for the use of instruments in the worship of God, consistency will require him to take his position on the literal Mount Zion with a literal lamb!

The song was new.  It was not peculiar to the Mosaic economy; that, like it, was to “wax old and vanish away.”—­(Heb. viii. 13.) No, it was indited by the Holy Spirit, “to whom all hearts are known, and all events foreknown.”  It was a song exactly framed to answer the twofold end of all inspired songs—­to display the glories of the Godhead, and delineate the workings of grace and corruption with infallible precision, neither of which can be even successfully imitated by the best of uninspired men; much less by the licentious debauchees—­the slaves of Antichrist.  Moreover, the order of worship, as here exemplified, merits special attention, The 144,000 perform this solemn service “before the four beasts, and the elders.”  The office-bearers, appointed by the Lamb—­the Lord Christ—­direct the whole solemnity.  Among this joyful and holy company, there is no hint that any part of public worship is left to “a vote of the congregation.”  This “new song” was unintelligible by the votaries of the beast; nor could they learn it while in that servile vassalage.  They only who were “redeemed from the earth,” as well as “from among men,” were capable of learning it.  As this song related to the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, and those who “dwelt on the earth” had transferred their allegiance to Antichrist, they became thereby incapacitated for learning that song.  Alas! how many complain of the cloudiness, the Jewish peculiarities, the unforgiving, revengeful spirit of the inspired Psalms!  In their apprehension, they are “contrary to the spirit of the gospel”—­that is, the Holy Spirit is contrary to Himself! O, the blasphemy!  Can such learn the “new song?” No, indeed, unless they repent and “pray God if perhaps the thought of their heart may be forgiven them.”

4.  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.  These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth.  These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.