Psalm 150 3

Psalm 150:3 kjv

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Psalm 150:3 nkjv

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Psalm 150:3 niv

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

Psalm 150:3 esv

Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

Psalm 150:3 nlt

Praise him with a blast of the ram's horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!

Psalm 150 verses

Psalm 150 3 Meaning

Psalm 150:3 commands the people of God to offer praise to Him using specific musical instruments. It begins the detailed listing of ways to praise Him, following the general exhortation to praise Him in the sanctuary and in His mighty acts (verse 1-2). This verse specifically calls for the use of the trumpet (shofar), lute (nevel), and harp (kinnor) as means of expressing worship, signifying an intentional, audible, and varied outpouring of adoration directed toward the Lord. It highlights the use of diverse sounds—from the loud, declarative blast of the shofar to the melodic harmony of stringed instruments—to glorify God.

Psalm 150 3 Context

Psalm 150 stands as the grand finale of the entire book of Psalms, a powerful doxology concluding all five books of the Psalter. It serves as a crescendo of praise, a climactic culmination of all previous calls to worship, often beginning or ending sections of psalms (e.g., Psalm 106, 150). This chapter specifies where praise should occur (sanctuary, firmament, Ps 150:1), why praise should be offered (His mighty acts, excellent greatness, Ps 150:2), and how it should be given. Verse 3 begins the "how" section, focusing on instrumental praise. The broader context includes the history of Israelite worship, where music and specific instruments were integral to Temple ceremonies (established by David, refined by Solomon) and other significant national or religious events. It’s an urgent and universal call to praise that eventually broadens to encompass "everything that has breath" (Ps 150:6). The verse fits within the broader message that all creation is called to respond to God’s glory with a resounding, multifaceted sound of adoration.

Psalm 150 3 Word analysis

• Praise Him (הַלְלֽוּהוּ - Hal'lûhū):

  • Word: This is the imperative plural form of the Hebrew verb הָלַל (halal), meaning to praise, laud, commend, boast. The suffix "-hu" means "Him."
  • Significance: It's an active, emphatic command to multiple individuals or the entire assembly. The root halal conveys a sense of shining, beaming, being clear, and is the origin of "Hallelujah," meaning "Praise Yah (the LORD)." It suggests vibrant, exuberant praise. The object "Him" (referring to the LORD mentioned in verse 1) ensures all focus remains on God as the worthy recipient.

• with the sound of the trumpet (בְּתֵקַע שׁוֹפָֽר - Beteqa‘ šōwp̄ār):

  • B'teqa': "with the sound/blast of." The preposition בְּ (be) means "with" or "by means of." תֵּקַע (teqa') derives from the verb תָּקַע (taqa'), which means to thrust, clap, blow, or give a blast, specifically referring to the action of blowing a shofar.
  • Shophar (שׁוֹפָֽר): This is the Hebrew word for a ram's horn or ceremonial horn.
  • Significance: Unlike a metal trumpet, the shofar is a natural, unadorned horn, typically a ram's. Its sound is distinctive, piercing, and commanding. It was used in Israel for solemn and momentous occasions: to summon assemblies, announce new moons and festivals (Num 10:2), warn of war or danger (Jer 4:5), proclaim jubilee (Lev 25:9), mark royal coronations (1 Kgs 1:39), and most significantly, was associated with the manifestation of God's presence at Mount Sinai (Exo 19:16). Blowing the shofar for praise implies a sacred, urgent, and powerful proclamation of God's greatness, commanding attention and reverence.

• Praise Him (הַלְלֽוּהוּ - Hal'lûhū):

  • Word: Repetition of the initial command.
  • Significance: This immediate repetition emphasizes that all subsequent instruments are also for the singular purpose of praising the Lord. It creates a rhythm of command and action, underscoring the urgency and sole object of worship.

• with the lute (בְנֵבֶל - Benevel):

  • Benevel: "with the lyre/lute." The preposition בְּ (be) again means "with." נֵבֶל (nevel) refers to a stringed instrument, typically translated as a lute or a large harp.
  • Significance: The nevel was often a large instrument, sometimes depicted with a soundbox and strings strummed or plucked. It produced melodic and harmonious sounds. It often had 10 strings, hence called a "ten-stringed instrument" (Ps 33:2, 92:3). Its use suggests the rich, structured, and beautiful aspect of worship—the melody and harmony that uplifts the spirit.

• and harp (וְכִנּֽוֹר - Vekhinnōwr):

  • Vekhinnor: "and the harp/lyre." The conjunction וְ (ve) means "and." כִּנּוֹר (kinnor) is another stringed instrument, commonly identified as a lyre.
  • Significance: The kinnor was generally smaller and more portable than the nevel, frequently associated with King David, who famously played it to soothe Saul (1 Sam 16:23). It produced lyrical and expressive melodies. Its presence alongside the nevel shows a range of stringed instruments, covering varied tones and expressive capacities, highlighting the full scope of melodic praise.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!"
  • This group of words outlines the spectrum of sound and emotion in Israelite worship. The shophar signifies public declaration, reverence, and the powerful, awe-inspiring presence of God, often tied to monumental divine acts or summoning. The nevel and kinnor represent melodic, contemplative, and joyous praise—the beauty, harmony, and skilled artistry used in intimate communion or expressive adoration. The juxtaposition calls for a worship experience that encompasses both profound awe and joyful artistic expression, from the commanding blast to the lyrical tune. The repetition of "Praise Him" ensures that despite the diversity of expression, the singular focus remains on the God of Israel.

Psalm 150 3 Bonus section

The choice of instruments in Psalm 150:3 represents a comprehensive call for musical worship:

• Completeness and Wholeness: The pairing of wind/horn instruments with stringed instruments symbolizes the full range of instrumental sound dedicated to God, from loud calls to battle or celebration to gentle melodies.
• Engagement of the Senses: This verse highlights the auditory aspect of worship, engaging the ears and emotions through sound. It implies that worship is not merely intellectual or ritualistic but should engage our deepest senses and faculties.
• Consecrated Artistry: The craftsmanship required to play these instruments well implies that worship should be offered with skill and excellence, using all human talent for God's glory.
• Foundation for Future Worship: These ancient instruments foreshadow the continuous call throughout Christian history to use diverse musical forms and instruments in praise to God, as seen in Revelation's description of heavenly harps. The specific instruments reflect their historical and cultural context, but the underlying principle of giving our best musical offerings to God is timeless and universally applicable.

Psalm 150 3 Commentary

Psalm 150:3 specifies instrumental praise, calling for distinct sounds to worship God. The "trumpet" (shophar), a ram's horn, traditionally carried solemn significance, signaling sacred occasions, divine intervention, or critical commands, embodying an element of awe, warning, and solemn proclamation in worship. Its powerful, singular blast pierces the air, demanding attention and conveying urgency or great significance, such as God's presence at Sinai. The "lute" (nevel) and "harp" (kinnor), stringed instruments, provide melody and harmony, often associated with joyful, reflective, and skilled musical artistry, bringing forth emotional depth and beauty. The inclusion of both types of instruments indicates that God's praise should be rich in variety and full in expression, utilizing sounds ranging from the declarative and awe-inspiring to the melodic and deeply moving. It suggests that all forms of appropriate, skilled artistry can be consecrated to God in worship, moving from simple, primal sounds of proclamation to intricate, beautiful compositions, all dedicated to exalting Him.