Psalm 98 5

Psalm 98:5 kjv

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

Psalm 98:5 nkjv

Sing to the LORD with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm,

Psalm 98:5 niv

make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,

Psalm 98:5 esv

Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!

Psalm 98:5 nlt

Sing your praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song,

Psalm 98 verses

Psalm 98 5 Meaning

Psalm 98:5 is a passionate injunction, urging believers to offer jubilant and instrumental praise to the Lord. It specifically commands the use of the harp (or lyre) and melodious sounds to express worship to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This verse emphasizes an active, engaged, and joyful form of adoration directed solely toward the Most High, who has revealed His salvation to all the world.

Psalm 98 5 Context

Psalm 98 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise (a "Mizmor" or song). It is part of a cluster of enthronement psalms (Psalms 93-99) that celebrate Yahweh's reign as King over all the earth. The overall context of Psalm 98 is one of jubilant exultation because God has revealed His salvation (verse 2) and remembered His faithfulness to Israel (verse 3). This verse, "Sing to the Lord with the harp; with the harp and the sound of melody," is a specific call to employ musical instruments and vocal artistry in this universal worship, building upon the "joyful noise" commanded in the preceding verse. Historically, it reflects the practice of musical worship prevalent in the Jerusalem Temple and within Israelite communal life, where instruments like the kinnor (harp/lyre) played a central role in conveying praise and celebration to Yahweh, who had consistently demonstrated His might and covenant loyalty. It anticipates a day when all creation will acknowledge and praise His righteous judgment and dominion.

Psalm 98 5 Word analysis

• Sing:

  • Hebrew: Zammeru (זַמְּרוּ). This is an imperative form of the verb zamar, which means "to sing," "to make music," or "to praise with song."
  • Significance: It implies not just uttering sounds, but actively making musical praise. The command is directed at an audience, urging them to participate in a specific form of worship. It denotes joyful and artistic expression rather than just recitation.

• to the Lord:

  • Hebrew: La-Yahweh (לַיהוָה). La- means "to" or "for"; Yahweh is the covenant name of God, revealing His personal, self-existent, and active presence.
  • Significance: Specifies the sole object of this musical praise. All worship, whether instrumental or vocal, is to be directed towards the one true God, Yahweh. This stood in stark contrast to pagan worship directed at various deities.

• with the harp:

  • Hebrew: Bekinnor (בְּכִנּוֹר). Be- means "with" or "by means of"; kinnor (כִּנּוֹר) refers to a lyre or a type of harp. It was a popular and ancient stringed instrument, often associated with joyous occasions, prophets, and kings (like David).
  • Significance: This emphasizes instrumental worship. The kinnor was versatile and capable of accompanying both joyful singing and solemn reflection. Its mention underscores that physical instruments have a rightful place in expressing devotion to God. It highlights the use of skillful musical artistry.

• with the harp:

  • Hebrew: Bekinnor (בְּכִנּוֹר). The repetition of "with the harp" (or "lyre") underscores the importance and emphasis placed on this specific instrument.
  • Significance: The repetition is for emphasis, signaling the prominence of the kinnor in this form of praise. It reinforces the call for instrumental worship and perhaps indicates a particular prominence or preferred use of this instrument in public praise.

• and the sound of melody:

  • Hebrew: Ve-qol zimrah (וְקוֹל זִמְרָה). Ve- means "and"; qol (קוֹל) means "voice" or "sound"; zimrah (זִמְרָה) means "song," "melody," or "praise."
  • Significance: This adds vocal or melodic sound to the instrumental praise, creating a complete and rich auditory offering. Zimrah denotes not just any sound, but a beautiful, melodic sound that signifies praise. It encompasses both vocalization and perhaps the overall harmonious output of the music. It confirms that the musical performance should be harmonious and purposeful for praise.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Sing to the Lord with the harp": This phrase combines vocal command (sing) with the specified recipient (Lord) and primary instrument (harp), indicating a directed, instrument-assisted form of worship. It implies active, dedicated participation in adoration.
  • "with the harp and the sound of melody": The repetition of "harp" intensifies the instrumental focus, while "sound of melody" broadens the call to include harmonious musical sounds, which would naturally encompass singing alongside the instrumental music. It depicts a rich tapestry of musical worship that engages both instrumentalists and vocalists.

Psalm 98 5 Bonus section

The kinnor (harp/lyre) was famously played by King David (1 Sam 16:23), who soothed Saul with its music and became known as "the sweet psalmist of Israel." This historical association would lend further weight to the command, linking this worship style to Israel's greatest king and a key figure in composing praise. The verse's call to employ such specific instruments reflects the vibrant, sensory-rich worship culture of ancient Israel, which understood that profound praise involved engaging the whole person, including physical faculties and artistic expressions. This stands in contrast to solely cerebral or rote worship, advocating for worship that stirs the heart through beautiful sound. The specific instruction points to the intentionality and preparation expected in approaching God's presence through praise.

Psalm 98 5 Commentary

Psalm 98:5 stands as a vivid command for worship, calling forth a comprehensive, musical expression of praise to Yahweh. It emphasizes both skill and devotion, instructing believers to engage not only their voices ("sing") but also their instrumental prowess ("with the harp") to render melodic adoration. The repetition of "with the harp" signifies the prominence of instruments, particularly stringed ones, in conveying joy and praise in ancient Israelite worship, mirroring the joyous exultation commanded throughout Psalm 98. This specific form of musicality underscores a key aspect of true worship: it should be intentional, skillfully executed, and offered with joyful exuberance. The "sound of melody" broadens this scope, suggesting that the worship should be harmonious and beautiful to the Lord, flowing from hearts thankful for His salvation and righteous deeds proclaimed earlier in the psalm. The focus remains singular: to the Lord, reinforcing that all such beautiful efforts must culminate in exalting God alone. Practically, this verse teaches that our worship should be multi-faceted, utilizing all gifts—vocal, instrumental, and creative—to bring glory to God, executed with heartfelt joy and artistic excellence. It's a call to make worship aesthetically pleasing and spiritually profound, delighting the heart of the Lord.