Lexical Summary
zimrah: song, melody, sound
Original Word:זִמְרָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:zimrah
Pronunciation:zim-RAW
Phonetic Spelling:(zim-raw')
KJV: melody, psalm
NASB:song, melody, sound
Word Origin:[fromH2167 (זָמַר - sing praises)]
1. a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
melody, psalm
Fromzamar; a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument -- melody, psalm.
see HEBREWzamar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
zamarDefinitionmelody, song (in praise of Yah)
NASB Translationmelody (2), song (3), sound (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. , in praise of — absolute
Psalm 81:3 2t.;
Exodus 15:2;
Psalm 118:14;
Isaiah 12:2, read (see Di
Ex SS); construct
Amos 5:23, on
Genesis 43:11 see below; —
Amos 5:23 ("" ).
Isaiah 51:3; assubject of song (so read)Exodus 15:2;Isaiah 12:2;Psalm 118:14.
Psalm 81:3;Psalm 98:5 (compare III. near the end). — OnGenesis 43:11 see below
see I. . above
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Zimrahזִמְרָה (zimrah) denotes “song,” “music,” or “melodious praise,” normally accompanied by instruments. Its four appearances trace a movement from exuberant celebration, through prophetic vision, to Divine censure of hollow worship. Together the texts reveal a theology of praise that is inseparable from sincerity of heart and covenant fidelity.
Liturgical Celebration in the Psalms
Psalm 81:2 places zimrah in the midst of festal worship: “Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre”. Israel’s corporate praise blends vocal acclamation with skilled instrumentation, underscoring that artistic excellence is a fitting offering to the Lord.Psalm 98:5 reiterates the theme: “Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp”. Here zimrah serves as the joyful response to Yahweh’s universal reign (Psalm 98:1-4), inviting “all the earth” into jubilant acclaim. These Psalms establish zimrah as a covenant privilege: redeemed people announce God’s mighty acts with beauty and skill, drawing the nations to the splendor of His salvation.
Promise of Restoration in Isaiah
Isaiah 51:3 projects zimrah into an eschatological promise: “Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of music”. Zion’s wastelands will echo once more with the music of redeemed hearts. The verse situates zimrah at the heart of the new-creation hope—when God reverses desolation, worship is the natural outcome. Praise is not an accessory to restoration; it is evidence that restoration has occurred.
Prophetic Warning in Amos
Amos 5:23 provides the essential counterbalance: “Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps”. Here zimrah becomes the object of Divine rejection because the worshipers despise justice and righteousness (Amos 5:21-24). The text proves that ceremonial precision cannot substitute for moral obedience. Music devoid of truth offends rather than pleases God.
Theological Themes
1. Covenant Integrity: True zimrah flows from hearts aligned with God’s covenant purposes.
2. Sacred Aesthetics: Artistic beauty is welcomed by God when it arises from holiness.
3. Eschatological Hope: The final renewal of creation will be marked by unending songs.
4. Judgement on Hypocrisy: Worship arts are judged by the ethical life that accompanies them.
Implications for Christian Worship Today
• Integrate Justice and Praise: Congregational music must be paired with communal concern for righteousness, lestAmos 5:23 stand against the church.
• Encourage Artistic Excellence: The Psalms sanction skilled instrumentation and thoughtful composition as worthy avenues of glorifying God.
• Anticipate Future Glory: Every hymn or chorus is a rehearsal for the eternal chorus described inRevelation 5:9-14.
• Foster Corporate and Missional Vision: Zimrah in the Psalms summons “all the earth” (Psalm 98:4). Music becomes a missional witness that proclaims the gospel across cultural boundaries.
Personal Devotion and Discipleship
Believers are urged to cultivate lives where thanksgiving naturally erupts in song (Colossians 3:16). Private worship nourishes public integrity; private compromise drains public praise of its authenticity. Whenever the Spirit fills the heart, “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19) overflow in genuine zimrah.
In sum, Strong’s Hebrew 2172 paints praise as both gift and responsibility: a gift to be expressed with beauty, and a responsibility to be matched by lives of faithfulness.
Forms and Transliterations
וְזִמְרַ֥ת וזמרת זִ֭מְרָה זִמְרָֽה׃ זמרה זמרה׃ vezimRat wə·zim·raṯ wəzimraṯ zim·rāh Zimrah zimrāh
Links
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