תהלים, פרק צ״ו, פסוק א׳

A grand call to praise and gratitude invites all of humanity to recognize the Creator's greatness through an unprecedented song. The primary approach among commentators is that this vision focuses on the Messianic era and the future redemption, an idea supported by the psalm's later focus on God judging the earth [רש"י, אלשיך, מאירי]. Alternatively, it is understood as a call for people to encourage one another in giving thanks for the ingathering of the exiles during the Return to Zion. In fact, this composition is rooted in the song King David wrote when he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, which was later adapted to capture the immense joy of the returning exiles [רד"ק].

The demand for a completely fresh song stems from the sheer magnitude of the future redemption. The kindness and wonders yet to unfold will be so vast that they will overshadow all past historical salvations, even the Exodus from Egypt. Because of this, ancient psalms will no longer be enough to capture the depth of human gratitude. An updated song, equal in weight to all past songs combined, will be required [רד"ק, מאירי, אלשיך]. On a deeper level, a new song represents a belief in God's constant, active involvement in the world. While pagan traditions might offer an old song to a creator who simply set the universe in motion and stepped away, a new song acknowledges that God renews creation every single day, guiding His world through hidden miracles [מלבי"ם].

The repeated urge to sing serves to strongly emphasize this call [רד"ק], while also teaching that praise of God should be a continuous, ongoing act [אבן עזרא]. This invitation is extended to all the inhabitants of the globe [אבן עזרא, רד"ק, מאירי]. In the past, miracles were often localized events that left the rest of the world unaffected and entrenched in false beliefs. In the future, however, God's wonders will be universally visible. As a result, the spirit of idolatry will vanish from the earth. The masses of nations who once denied God will finally recognize Him, return to Him, and unite to call upon His name in one clear and unified language [אלשיך, מלבי"ם].