King James Version

What Does Isaiah 42:10 Mean?

Isaiah 42:10 in the King James Version says “Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is the...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. all: Heb. the fulness thereof”

Isaiah 42:10 · KJV

Context

8

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

9

Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

10

Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. all: Heb. the fulness thereof

11

Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.

12

Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The call to sing a new song ('shir chadash') to the LORD celebrates coming redemption. The Hebrew 'shiyr' denotes exuberant praise. This worship encompasses the entire earth—from sea to islands, from ends of the earth—universal scope. New mercies demand new praise.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This anticipates the global spread of God's kingdom beyond Israel. Revelation 5:9 echoes this with the 'new song' sung by redeemed from every tribe and nation through Christ's blood.

Reflection Questions

  1. What new works of God in your life call for a fresh song of praise?
  2. How does the global scope of this worship vision inform your understanding of missions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
שִׁ֤ירוּ1 of 12

“Sing”

H7891

to sing

לַֽיהוָה֙2 of 12

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שִׁ֣יר3 of 12

“song”

H7892

a song; abstractly, singing

חָדָ֔שׁ4 of 12

“a new”

H2319

new

תְּהִלָּת֖וֹ5 of 12

“and his praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

מִקְצֵ֣ה6 of 12

“from the end”

H7097

an extremity

הָאָ֑רֶץ7 of 12

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יוֹרְדֵ֤י8 of 12

“ye that go down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הַיָּם֙9 of 12

“to the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וּמְלֹא֔וֹ10 of 12

“and all that is therein”

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

אִיִּ֖ים11 of 12

“the isles”

H339

properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island

וְיֹשְׁבֵיהֶֽם׃12 of 12

“and the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 42:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 42:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 33:3Isaiah 42:4Romans 15:9-11Psalms 40:3Psalms 98:1-4Isaiah 49:13

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