Topical Encyclopedia
The psaltery is a stringed musical instrument mentioned several times in the Bible, often in the context of worship and praise. It is similar to a harp or lyre and was used in ancient Israelite music. The psaltery is associated with joy, celebration, and the worship of God, reflecting the rich musical tradition of the Hebrew people.
Biblical References:1.
1 Samuel 10:5 : "After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where there are Philistine garrisons. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres before them, and they will be prophesying." Although the term "psaltery" is not directly mentioned in this verse, the lyre is often considered synonymous or closely related to the psaltery in biblical texts.
2.
2 Samuel 6:5 : "David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals." This passage highlights the use of various musical instruments, including stringed instruments like the psaltery, in the worship and celebration before the Lord.
3.
1 Chronicles 13:8 : "David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets." The psaltery, as a stringed instrument, would have been part of this ensemble, contributing to the vibrant worship atmosphere.
4.
Psalm 33:2 : "Give thanks to the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings." The psaltery, often having ten strings, is implied in this call to worship, emphasizing its role in giving thanks and making music to God.
5.
Psalm 144:9 : "I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You." This verse again suggests the use of a psaltery or similar instrument in the personal and communal worship of God.
Historical and Cultural Context:The psaltery was a popular instrument in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel. It was typically made of wood and had a varying number of strings, often played with the fingers or a plectrum. The psaltery's design allowed for a range of musical expression, making it suitable for both joyful celebrations and solemn worship.
In the context of Israelite worship, the psaltery was used in temple services, religious festivals, and personal devotion. It was an integral part of the musical accompaniment for the singing of psalms and hymns, which were central to the worship practices of the time.
Theological Significance:The use of the psaltery in biblical worship underscores the importance of music in expressing devotion to God. Music, including the sound of the psaltery, was seen as a means to glorify God, to express the emotions of the heart, and to unite the community in worship. The psaltery's presence in the biblical narrative highlights the value placed on artistic expression in the life of faith.
The psaltery, as part of the broader category of stringed instruments, symbolizes the harmony and beauty of creation, reflecting the order and creativity of God. Its use in worship serves as a reminder of the call to worship God with all available resources, talents, and creativity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Psaltery.
Library
In Short, what Patriarch, what Prophet, what Levite, or Priest...
... of public rejoicing or to gratify innate luxury: so they returned from the Babylonish
captivity with timbrels, and flutes, andpsalteries, more suitably than...
Cain's Name and Nature.
... Moreover, those who came forth by succession from him were the first adulterers.
And there werepsalteries, and harps, and forgers of instruments of war....
On the Public Shows.
... danced before the ark. We read ofpsalteries, horns, [4821] trumpets, drums,
pipes, harps, and choral dances. Moreover, the apostle...
How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts.
... For if people occupy their time with pipes, andpsalteries, and choirs, and dances,
and Egyptian clapping of hands, and such disorderly frivolities, they...
More than Heaven
... Know I not that earth is darkened; Nor that Heaven is fair". Songs andpsalteries
of Heaven. Hushed the while I hear. Thy beloved Voice that speaketh,....
The Wayside Feast
... There the desert blossometh,. There the waters spring; There thepsalteries make
music,. There the blessed sing. By the heavenly banquet strengthened,....
Sacrifice Renewed
... And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, withpsalteries, and
with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer...
Death and Life from the Ark
... the ark.5. And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner
of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and onpsalteries, and on...
A Royal Seeker after Wisdom
... And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for
the king's house, harps also andpsalteries for singers: there came no such...
Proofs from the Plain Testimony of Moses, and of the Other...
... 5. Of such persons, too, the Spirit has spoken by Esaias: "They drink wine with
[the accompaniment of] harps, and tablets, andpsalteries, and flutes; but they...
Thesaurus
Psalteries (16 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Psaltery. Multi-Version Concordance
Psalteries (16 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 6:5 And David
...Jedu'thun (11 Occurrences)
... of the host separated for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman,
and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, withpsalteries, and with...
Loud-sounding (8 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Chronicles 15:16 And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint
their brethren the singers, with instruments of music,psalteries and harps and...
Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni,
and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, withpsalteries set to Alamoth; (See...
Jehi'el (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni,
and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, withpsalteries set to Alamoth; (See...
Timbrels (9 Occurrences)
... Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner
of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and onpsalteries, and on...
Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni,
and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, withpsalteries set to Alamoth; (See...
Shemi'ramoth (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni,
and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, withpsalteries set to Alamoth; (See...
Sandal-wood (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:12 And the king made of the almug-trees pillars for the house of Jehovah,
and for the king's house, harps also andpsalteries for the singers: there...
Playing (37 Occurrences)
... 5 and David and all the house of Israel are playing before Jehovah, with all kinds
of 'instruments' of fir-wood, even with harps, and withpsalteries, and with...
Resources
Psalteries: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
