In the Bible, a psaltery refers to a stringed musical instrument often associated with worship and praise, particularly in the context of the Book of Psalms. It is mentioned alongside other instruments like the harp, signifying its use in religious ceremonies and celebrations.
Scripture
8 And David and all Israel were rejoicing before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.
9 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled.
10 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.
Meaning of Psaltery in the Bible
The psaltery, as described in the Bible, is more than merely a musical instrument; it embodies the essence of worship and the expression of human emotion towards God. Psalms 33:2 encourages believers to “Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre,” indicating that the psaltery is a tool for praising God, both individually and communally. The use of stringed instruments like the psaltery in worship highlights the importance of music in spiritual life, serving as a bridge between the human heart and divine presence. Such instruments help create an atmosphere of reverence and admiration, facilitating a deeper connection with God.
Furthermore, the psaltery’s role in the Psalms reflects the human experience of joy, lamentation, thanksgiving, and supplication. For instance, Psalm 144:9 states, “I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre, I will make music to you.” This verse underlines the creativity and spontaneity that musical expression can carry, suggesting that worship is not just a ritualistic act but a heartfelt response to God’s goodness and majesty. The psaltery, then, symbolizes the invitation to engage actively in worship, using music to articulate one’s deepest feelings and commitments to God, thus underscoring the transformative power of worship in the believer’s life.
The psaltery also symbolizes a deeper communal aspect of worship, as seen in various passages that emphasize collective praise. In 1 Chronicles 16:5, for example, the Levites were organized into groups that included musicians, such as those skilled on the psaltery, highlighting the integral role of this instrument in public worship settings. Such organization suggests a concerted effort to glorify God through harmonious expressions of faith. The psaltery thus represents the shared experience of praise among the congregation, fostering unity and collective identity rooted in devotion.
Moreover, the poetic nature of the psaltery’s use in worship underscores its significance in storytelling and conveying theological truths. The psalms themselves, often set to music using the psaltery, are rich in imagery and emotions that capture the complexities of human experiences in relation to the divine. In this context, the psaltery serves not only as an instrument of praise but as a vehicle for reflection, meditation, and the articulation of faith. Such lyrical expressions convey wisdom and teaching, revealing the power of music to solidify theological concepts within the hearts of worshipers, making the psaltery an indispensable aspect of biblical spirituality and communal identity.
Symbol of Worship and Praise
The psaltery, often associated with the act of worship, serves as a symbol of praise in biblical texts. It represents the musical expression of devotion to God, highlighting the importance of music in spiritual practices. The use of the psaltery in worship signifies the joy and reverence that believers are encouraged to express through song, reflecting their relationship with the divine.
Instrument of Spiritual Warfare
In a broader context, the psaltery can also be seen as an instrument of spiritual warfare. Throughout the Bible, music and instruments are often linked to battles and victories, where praise is used to invoke God’s presence and power. The psaltery, therefore, embodies the idea that worship can be a means of confronting challenges and adversities, reinforcing the belief that spiritual music can have a transformative effect on circumstances.
Connection to Community and Tradition
The psaltery also represents the communal aspect of worship and the passing down of traditions. In ancient Israel, music played a vital role in gatherings, celebrations, and religious ceremonies. The psaltery, as part of this musical heritage, underscores the importance of community in faith practices, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity among worshippers. This connection to tradition emphasizes the continuity of faith through generations, as music remains a powerful tool for teaching and remembrance.
How to Enhance Your Worship Experience Through Music
Enhancing your worship experience through music can be a deeply personal and transformative journey. Start by choosing songs that resonate with your heart and reflect your faith; whether it’s contemporary worship, traditional hymns, or gospel, let the lyrics speak to your soul. As you listen or sing, focus on the message and allow it to draw you closer to God. Consider creating a playlist that you can turn to during quiet moments or while you’re commuting, using music as a backdrop for prayer and reflection. Engaging with music in community settings, like church services or small groups, can also deepen your experience, as you join voices with others in praise. Remember, worship is not just about the music itself, but about the heart behind it—so let each note and lyric guide you into a more profound connection with God, fostering a spirit of gratitude and joy in your daily life.
Bible References to the Psaltery Meaning:
1 Chronicles 15:16-22: 16 David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
18 and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.
19 The singers Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound bronze cymbals;
20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to Alamoth;
21 but Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead with lyres according to the Sheminith.
22 Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it.
1 Chronicles 16:4-6: 4 Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel.
5 Asaph was the chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals,
6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.
1 Chronicles 25:1-3: 1 David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals.
2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
3 They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God.
2 Chronicles 5:12-14: 12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters;
13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,
14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
2 Chronicles 9:10-12: 10 Moreover, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones.
11 Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones.
12 And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.
2 Chronicles 20:20-22: 20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”
21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
2 Chronicles 29:25-30: 25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets.
26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel.
28 The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
29 When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped.
30 And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.
Nehemiah 12:27-29: 27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.
28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites;
29 And from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem.
Psalms 33:1-3: 1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
Psalms 57:7-9: 7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
Psalms 71:22-24: 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 My tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
Psalms 81:1-3: 1 Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
Psalms 92:1-3: 1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
Psalms 98:4-6: 4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Psalms 108:1-3: 1 My heart is steadfast, O God!
I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.
3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
Psalms 144:9-10: 9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
10 who gives victory to kings,
who rescues David his servant.
Psalms 150:3-5: 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Isaiah 38:18-20: 18 For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness.
19 The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.
20 The Lord will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.
Daniel 3:4-7: 4 And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,
5 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.
7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.