Psalms 33:3 — Word Study
WLCשִֽׁירוּ־ ל֭וֹ שִׁ֣יר חָדָ֑שׁ הֵיטִ֥יבוּ נַ֝גֵּ֗ן בִּתְרוּעָֽה׃
BSASingshîyr [with joyful music, in harmony] a newchâdâsh [fresh, recently created] songshîyr playnâgan skillfullyyâṭab [with expertise] with a shout of joytᵉrûwʻâh [loud, joyful sound, blast of trumpets, happiness, delight, rejoicing]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שִֽׁירוּ־ | sing | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine plural |
| ל֭וֹ | to him | Preposition, suffix |
| שִׁ֣יר | a song | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חָדָ֑שׁ | new | Adj |
| הֵיטִ֥יבוּ | do well | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine plural |
| נַ֝גֵּ֗ן | to play | Verb, Piel, infinitive construct common |
| בִּתְרוּעָֽה׃ | with a shout of joy | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. |
| KJV | Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. |
| ASV | Sing unto him a new song; Play skilfully with a loud noise. |
| YLT | Sing ye to Him a new song, Play skilfully with shouting. |
| WEB | Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy! |
| BBE | Make a new song to him; playing expertly with a loud noise. |
The translations agree on the call to sing a new song and play skillfully, without significant variation.
The verse consists of two main clauses, each with additional phrases that clarify the action and its context.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשִׁיר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 33:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Call to Worshipgenerated
Psalm 33:3 calls for a communal expression of joy through music, encouraging the faithful to sing a new song to the Lord. This psalm emphasizes the importance of worship and the skillful use of musical instruments as a form of praise. The surrounding verses further highlight the character of God and His works, inviting the people to respond with joyful sounds and songs of celebration.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 96:1 | Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. |
| 2 | Psalm 98:1 | Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory. |
| 3 | Psalm 144:9 | I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You— |
| 4 | Psalm 149:1 | Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song— His praise in the assembly of the godly. |
| 5 | 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. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שִׁיר, shi.ru-generated
The verb שִׁיר (shi.r) means 'to sing' and is used to express joy and praise. It is a denominative verb derived from a primitive root, encompassing various forms of singing, including the act of making music in worship contexts.
In this verse, it is an imperative, calling the community to actively engage in singing. The psalmist emphasizes not just any song, but a 'new song,' indicating freshness and vitality in their worship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase Sing to Him a new song.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is שִֽׁירוּ־, sing, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the object of the singing, and then additional clauses that elaborate on how to sing and what to do.
The structure highlights the imperative nature of the command, emphasizing action and engagement in worship, with the verbs הֵיטִ֥יבוּ (do well) and נַ֝גֵּ֗ן (to play) contributing to the overall call for joyful and skilled expression.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שִֽׁירוּ־ as ᾄσατε (aisate), indicating a direct call to sing, similar to the Hebrew. This choice aligns with the communal aspect of worship found in both texts.
The use of ψάλατε for נַ֝גֵּ֗ן reflects a focus on musical performance, emphasizing the act of playing instruments in worship.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 33:3 encourages the people to sing a new song to the Lord and to play music skillfully with joy. This verse highlights the importance of expressing worship through music and joyful sounds, reflecting the community's praise for God's greatness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Singing a 'new song' refers to expressing fresh and joyful praise to God, reflecting new experiences of His goodness and faithfulness.
Skill in playing music signifies the importance of offering our best to God in worship, using our talents to glorify Him.
We can apply this verse by incorporating new songs and creative expressions of worship in our gatherings, celebrating God's ongoing work in our lives.
Shouting joyfully is a way to express exuberance and celebration in worship, acknowledging God's greatness and our delight in Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I incorporate new songs into my worship?
- How can I improve my skills in music to better serve in worship?
- What does joyful expression in worship look like for me?
- How can I encourage others in my community to join in joyful worship?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers referenced this psalm to discuss themes of worship and community praise, highlighting the importance of joyful expression in music.
The loud noise is a certain inarticulate sound, when those who are fighting side by side in a war shout out in unison with each other. Sing, then, in harmony and in agreement and in union through charity.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →
"Sing unto Him a new song:" sing unto Him a song of the grace of faith. "Sing skilfully unto Him with jubilation" [Psalms 33:3]: sing skillfully unto Him with rejoicing.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 33:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSing unto him a new song,.... One newly composed on account of recent mercies received; and as the mercies of God are new every morning, there ought to be a daily song of praise to him; and so a new
Read John Gill on Psalms 33 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. Sing ... a new song - the song of redemption from all foes, and from the great adversary, especially at the crowning consummation (Psalms
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 33 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleA new song; either, 1. Newly composed. As God gives you fresh occasions, so do not you content yourselves with the old songs or psalms, made by the holy men of God, but make new ones suited to the occasions. But neither had all the righteous, to whom he speaks, , the gift of composing songs, nor was it of any necessity or importance that they should make new songs to praise God, at least for the works here mentioned, when there were so many made by David, and other holy prophets, for the use of God’ s church and people, when they had any such occasion. Or, 2. Renewed, or repeated, or sung again; in which sense Job saith his glory was new, or fresh in him, , i.e. renewed or continued from…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 33 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.Ver. 3. Sing unto him a new song] sc. Upon every new emergent occasion. God reneweth his mercies not only every morning, but every moment: so should we our praises; every breath we draw should praise the Lord, Psalms 150:6. Doth God give comforts? praise him, and they shall be continued. Doth he send crosses? praise him, and they shall be removed, saith a Father; but "in everything give thanks"; and that not coldly and cursorily, but ardently, and with utmost affection; for which cause this duty is so reiterated here, and pressed with such forcible arguments in the following verses, as might work upon the very stones…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 33 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) A new song.—This expression occurs in Psalms 96:1; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Jdt 16:13, and was adopted in Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3. The term apparently marked the revival of national psalmody after the Captivity. “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare . . . Sing unto the Lord a new song” (Isaiah 42:9-10). Play skilfully with a loud noise.—The latter words represent a Hebrew expression of common hymnic use, describing the full choral effect when instruments and voices were joined in the service of the sanctuary (Psalms 95:1; Psalms 100:1, &c). Some, however, limit it (after Leviticus 25:9) to the trumpet accompaniment, and render—…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 33 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. Sing unto him a new song] Do not wear out the old forms: fresh mercies call for new songs of praise and gratitude. Play skilfully with a loud noise.] Let sense and sound accompany each other; let the style of the music be suited to the words. This skill is possessed by few singers. They can make a loud noise, but they cannot adapt sound to sense.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 33 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. a new song] Fresh mercies demand a fresh expression of gratitude. See Psalms 40:3; and cp. Psalms 96:1; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Jdt 16:13; Revelation 5:9. Psalms 144:9 reproduces 2 b, and 3 a. with a loud noise] Referring either to the music itself, or to the accompanying shouts of joy. See note on Psalms 27:6, where the same word is rendered joy in A.V.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 33 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSing unto him a new song - A song specially composed for this occasion; expressive of the special feelings suggested by this occasion, or appropriate to this new manifestation of the divine goodness and mercy.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 33 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.
Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.
Sing to him a new song! Play skillfully as you shout out your praises to him!
Tyndale line
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Sing unto him a new song; Play skilfully with a loud noise.
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
Sing vnto him a newe song: sing cheerefully with a loude voyce.
Strictly literal
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud sound.
Sing ye to Him a new song, Play skilfully with shouting.
Sing to Him a new song, || Play skillfully with shouting.
Sing unto him a new song; play beautifully amidst a triumphant shout.
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully and sing with joy.
From the Latin
In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice.
Simplified
Sing a new song to him; play your instruments well and shout for joy.
Make a new song to him; playing expertly with a loud noise.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint in its wording. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations, with certain words restored by editors, but fundamentally agree on the call to sing and play in worship.
שִֽׁירוּ־ ל֭וֹ שִׁ֣יר חָדָ֑שׁ הֵיטִ֥יבוּ נַ֝גֵּ֗ן בִּתְרוּעָֽה׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
שירו [ליהוה] [שיר] [חדש] [היטיבו] [נגן] בתרועה
2 words on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
[שירו] [ל׳ו] [שיר] [חדש] [היטיבו] [נגן] [בתרועה]
nothing on the leather here — 7 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 33:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שִׁיר (shiyr) means 'to sing' and is a denominative verb derived from a primitive root. It covers various forms of singing, including participles for singers and songstresses. The entries indicate its use in different verbal stems, such as Qal and Polel, and note its appearance in contexts like 1 Samuel 18:6.
[שִׁיר] 86 vb. sing (denom.)
Qal 49 sing
Pō‛l. 36 sing
Hoph. be sung
base
H7891 שִׁיר sing (denom.)
7891 shiyr sheer
or (the original form) shuwr (1 Sam. 18:6) {shoor}; a
primitive root (identical with 7788 through the idea of
strolling minstrelsy); to sing:--behold (by mistake for
7789), sing(-er, -ing man, - ing woman).
see HEBREW for 07788
see HEBREW for 07789
שִׁיר (shir) — to sing.
1) to sing
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sing
1a2) singer, songstresses (participle)
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to sing
1b2) singer, songstress (participle)
1c) (Hophal) to be sung
V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine pluralHVqv2mp
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
שִׁיר (shir) and שִׁירָה (shiyrah) both mean 'song' in Hebrew, covering various types of songs, including lyrical and religious ones. The entries indicate that shir is a masculine noun while shiyrah is feminine. The word is linked to the act of singing and is associated with Levitical choirs.
שִׁיר 77 n.m. song
base
שִׁירָה n.f. song
base
H7892a שִׁיר song H7892b שִׁירָה song
7892 shiyr sheer
or feminine shiyrah {shee-raw'}; from 7891; a song;
abstractly, singing:--musical(-ick), X sing(-er, -ing), song.
see HEBREW for 07891
שִׁיר (shir) — song.
1) song
1a) lyric song
1b) religious song
1c) song of Levitical choirs
Also means: shi.rah (שִׁירָה "song" H7892B)
שִׁירָה (shi.rah) — song.
1) song
1a) song, ode
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
(shir, shirah): Besides the great collection of sacred songs contained in the Psalter, as well as the lyric outbursts, marked by strong religious feeling, on great national occasions, it is natural to believe, and we have evidence to show, that the Hebrews possessed a large number of popular songs of a secular kind. So of Songs (which see) of itself proves this. Probably the very oldest song or fragment of song in the Old Testament is that "To the well" (Nu 21:17). W. R. Smith (Religions of the Semites, 167) regards this invocation of the waters to rise as in its origin hardly a mere poetic figure. He compares what Cazwini 1, 189, records of the well of Ilabistan: "When the water failed, a feast was held at its source with music and dancing, to induce it to flow again." If, however, the song had its origin in an early form of…
חָדָשׁ (chadash) means 'new' or 'fresh.' It is derived from the root word represented by Strong's H2318. The entries indicate that it covers meanings related to novelty and freshness, with an Aramaic equivalent noted as חֲדַ֑ת (cha.dat).
H2319 חָדָשׁ new
2319 chadash khaw-dawsh'
from 2318; new:--fresh, new thing.
see HEBREW for 02318
חָדָשׁ (cha.dash) — New (Gate).
§ new, new thing, fresh
חָדָשׁ (cha.dash) — new.
new, new thing, fresh
Aramaic equivalent: cha.dat (חֲדַ֑ת "new" H2323)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word יָטַב (yatab) is a primitive root meaning to be good or pleasing. It encompasses a range of meanings including being glad, making something good or right, and dealing well with others. The entries highlight its use in both a literal sense (like sound or beautiful) and a figurative sense (like happy or successful).
[יָטַב] vb. be good, well, glad, pleasing
Qal
be glad, joyful
be well placed
impers. be well for or with, go well with
be pleasing
Hithp.
make glad, rejoice
do good to, deal well with
do well or thoroughly
make a thing good, right, beautiful
do well, right, ethically
base
H3190 יָטַב be good, well, glad, pleasing
3190 yatab yaw-tab'
a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally
(sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful,
right):--be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make)
better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, + be content,
diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad,
do (be, make) good((-ness)), be (make) merry, please (+ well),
shew more (kindness), skilfully, X very small, surely, make
sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat,
go, have) well (said, seen).
יָטַב (ya.tav) — be good.
1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be glad, be joyful
1a2) to be well placed
1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with
1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to make glad, rejoice
1b2) to do good to, deal well with
1b3) to do well, do thoroughly
1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful
1b5) to do well, do right
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine pluralHVhv2mp
(1) (be'er; compare Arabic bi'r, "well" or "cistern"; usually artificial: "And Isaac's servants digged (dug) in the valley, and found there a well of springing (margin "living") water" (Ge 26:19); some times covered: "Jacob .... rolled the stone from the well's mouth" (Ge 29:10). Be'er may also be a pit: "The vale of Siddim was full of slime pits" (Ge 14:10); "the pit of destruction" (Ps 55:23).
(2) (bor), usually "pit": "Let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits" (Ge 37:20); may be "well": "drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem" (2Sa 23:16).
Well
(Heb. beer), to be distinguished from a fountain (Heb. ‘ain). A “beer” was a deep shaft, bored far under the rocky surface by the art of man, which contained water which percolated through the strata in its sides. Such wells were those of Jacob and Beersheba, etc. (see Gen. 21:19, 25, 30, 31; 24:11; 26:15, 18-25, 32, etc.). In the Pentateuch this word beer, so rendered, occurs twenty-five times.
Wells in Palestine are usually excavated from the solid limestone rock, sometimes with steps to descend into them. (Genesis 24:16) The brims are furnished with a curb or low wall of stone, bearing marks of high antiquity in the furrows worn by the ropes used in drawing water. It was on a curb of this sort that our Lord sat when he conversed with the woman of Samaria, (John 4:6) and it was this, the usual stone cover, which the woman placed on the mouth of the well at Bahurim, (2 Samuel 17:19) where the Authorized Version weakens the sense by omitting the article. The usual methods for raising water are the following: The rope and bucket, or waterskin. (Genesis 24:14-20;
נָגַן (nagan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to play or touch strings, specifically on a stringed instrument. It encompasses the act of making music and refers to players or minstrels. The root implies a focus on producing melodies, particularly through stringed instruments, and is used in various forms, including participles.
[נָגַן] vb. touch (strings), play a stringed instrument
Qal players
Pi. play
base
H5059 [נָגַן] touch (strings), play a stringed instrument
5059 nagan naw-gan'
a primitive root; properly, to thrum, i.e. beat a tune with
the fingers; expec. to play on a stringed instrument; hence
(generally), to make music:--player on instruments, sing to
the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play(-er, -ing).
נָגַן (na.gan) — to play.
1) to play or strike strings, play a stringed instrument
1a) (Qal)
1a1) player (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to play
1b1a) player, minstrel (participle)
V-Piel-Inf-a — Verb · Piel · infinitive construct commonHVpcc
pla.
See GAMES.
תְּרוּעָה (teru'ah) refers to a shout or blast, encompassing a range of meanings from alarm and battle cries to expressions of joy. It is derived from the root meaning to make a loud noise, and is associated with both war signals and joyful proclamations. The entries highlight its use in contexts of both alarm and celebration.
תְּרוּעָה n.f. shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
base
H8643 תְּרוּעָה shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
8643 truw`ah ter-oo-aw'
from 7321; clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry;
especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum:--alarm, blow(-
ing) (of, the) (trumpets), joy, jubile, loud noise, rejoicing,
shout(-ing), (high, joyful) sound(-ing).
see HEBREW for 07321
תְּרוּעָה (te.ru.ah) — shout.
1) alarm, signal, sound of tempest, shout, shout or blast of war or alarm or joy
1a) alarm of war, war-cry, battle-cry
1b) blast (for march)
1c) shout of joy (with religious impulse)
1d) shout of joy (in general)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
joi (simchah; chara):
1. Terms:
The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1Sa 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be bright," "to shine" (Pr 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad" (Le 23:40 and very frequent).
Other nouns are masos and sason, both from sus, properly "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult," "rejoice"; rinnah, "shouting." "joy"; gil, from verb gil or gul, "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy), "rejoice." In the New…