Amos 5:23

KJV

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take thou away {H5493} from me the noise {H1995} of thy songs {H7892}; for I will not hear {H8085} the melody {H2172} of thy viols {H5035}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Spare me the noise of your songs! I don't want to hear the strumming of your lutes!

Berean Standard Bible

Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

American Standard Version

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:23 powerfully conveys God's profound rejection of Israel's ritualistic worship, declaring their elaborate songs and musical offerings to be mere "noise" and "melody" that He refuses to hear. This stark condemnation arises from the nation's pervasive social injustice, moral corruption, and spiritual hypocrisy, revealing that outward religious performance devoid of genuine righteousness and heartfelt obedience is an abomination to the Lord. The verse underscores the divine demand for a worship that is holistic, integrating ethical conduct and justice with sincere devotion, rather than relying on empty ceremony.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 5:23 is situated within a series of divine pronouncements against Israel's spiritual decline and social injustice. Immediately preceding this verse, God explicitly rejects their formal religious gatherings, sacrifices, and offerings in [Amos 5:21-22](/amos/5-21-22 "Amos 5:21-22 - God Rejects Israel's Feasts and Offerings"), stating His detestation for their "solemn assemblies" and "peace offerings." The rejection of their music in verse 23 serves as the culmination of this indictment against their outward religious displays. This passage then naturally flows into the iconic call for justice in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down"), which clarifies the true nature of the righteousness God desires, contrasting it sharply with the empty rituals He has just condemned. The entire chapter functions as a lament and a call to repentance, emphasizing that true worship is inseparable from ethical living.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (c. 793-753 BC), a period of significant economic prosperity and political stability. This era, however, was also marked by severe social stratification, rampant injustice, and moral decay. While the wealthy elite indulged in luxury, the poor were oppressed, justice was perverted, and idolatry mingled with the worship of Yahweh. Despite their moral failings, the Israelites continued to observe religious festivals, offer sacrifices, and engage in musical worship at sanctuaries like Bethel and Gilgal, believing these rituals alone would secure God's favor. Amos's message directly confronts this religious complacency and the false security derived from external observances, highlighting that God's covenant demands righteousness and justice, not just ritual.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Amos and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes the **Rejection of Hypocritical Worship**, making it clear that God despises religious acts performed without genuine devotion or moral integrity. The "noise of thy songs" symbolizes the emptiness of their outward show. Secondly, it underscores the **Priority of Justice and Righteousness** over ritual, a central tenet of prophetic theology. God's primary concern is for His people to live justly and righteously, as famously articulated in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down Like a River"). This theme resonates throughout the book, from the initial indictments against surrounding nations and Israel in [Amos 1-2](/amos/1 "Amos 1 - Oracles Against the Nations") to the repeated calls for ethical living. Thirdly, the passage highlights the **Heart of Worship**, demonstrating that God looks beyond external performance to the sincerity of the worshiper's heart and the alignment of their life with His commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take thou away (Hebrew, _çûwr'_):** This verb, H5493, means "to turn off," "remove," "withdraw," or "put away." In this imperative form, it conveys God's direct command for Israel to cease their musical worship. It's not a request but a forceful demand, indicating God's utter repugnance for their religious activities. The implication is that their worship is not merely ineffective but actively offensive, something God wants completely removed from His presence.
* **noise (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** This noun, H1995, typically refers to a "multitude," "abundance," or a "tumultuous sound." Here, it carries the negative connotation of a meaningless clamor, a chaotic din, or an empty uproar. By calling their songs "noise," God strips them of any spiritual value, transforming what should be an act of worship into an irritating, insignificant disturbance. It highlights the absence of genuine heart and purpose behind their musical expressions.
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root, H8085, means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, understanding, and even obedience. When God declares, "I will not hear," it signifies a deliberate and complete refusal to acknowledge or accept their worship. It's not that He physically cannot hear the sound, but that He refuses to give it any consideration, approval, or response. It implies a judicial rejection, a divine turning away from their insincere expressions, rendering their efforts futile and offensive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs;":** This opening clause is a direct, emphatic command from God. The phrase "Take thou away from me" (סוּר מֵעָלַי, _sūr mēʿālay_) expresses God's utter disgust and desire for separation from their worship. He does not merely ignore it; He actively demands its removal. By labeling their "songs" (שִׁירֶיךָ, _shīreyḵā_) as "noise" (הָמוֹן, _hāmôn_), God reveals that what they considered devotional music is, in His ears, nothing more than an irritating, meaningless din. This is a powerful indictment of their external religious performance, which lacked genuine heart and righteousness.
* **"for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.":** This second clause provides the divine reason for the command in the first. The conjunction "for" (כִּי, _kī_) links God's rejection to His refusal to engage with their music. The "melody" (זִמְרָה, _zimrāh_) and "viols" (נְבָלֶיךָ, _nəḇāleḵā_, stringed instruments often associated with worship) represent the aesthetic and emotional aspects of their musical offerings. However, God states, "I will not hear" (לֹא אֶשְׁמָע, _lōʾ ʾešmāʿ_), signifying a complete and deliberate turning away. His refusal to "hear" implies a refusal to acknowledge, accept, or respond to their worship, rendering it utterly futile and unacceptable in His sight due to the hypocrisy and injustice prevalent in their lives.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey God's message. **Metonymy** is evident in "the noise of thy songs" and "the melody of thy viols," where the musical instruments and sounds stand in for the entire act of worship. God is not condemning music itself, but the corrupt and hypocritical worship it represents. **Anthropomorphism** is present in God's declaration, "I will not hear," attributing a human sensory experience (hearing) to God to express His absolute rejection and disgust. This is not a physical inability but a volitional refusal to acknowledge. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony**: what Israel intended as pleasing worship is ironically described as "noise" in God's ears, highlighting the vast chasm between their perception and divine reality. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by contrasting the expected "melody" of worship with the actual "noise" it has become, emphasizing the perversion of their religious practices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:23 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship, asserting that God prioritizes genuine righteousness, justice, and obedience over mere ritualistic performance. It challenges the common misconception that outward religious acts can compensate for inward moral decay or social injustice. The verse reveals that God's character demands a holistic response from His people—a faith that is lived out in ethical conduct and compassionate action, not just sung in sanctuaries. This prophetic indictment serves as a timeless reminder that authentic worship flows from a heart transformed by God's commands and expressed through a life that reflects His justice and mercy, making it pleasing in His sight.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God Rejects Empty Rituals, Demands Justice")
* [Micah 6:6-8](/micah/6-6-8 "Micah 6:6-8 - What Does the Lord Require?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:23 serves as a timeless and piercing challenge for believers across all generations, urging us to scrutinize the authenticity of our worship and spiritual practices. It compels us to move beyond mere external observance—whether through music, liturgy, or giving—and to delve into the true condition of our hearts and the integrity of our daily lives. This verse reminds us that genuine devotion to God is not compartmentalized within religious services but is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our existence, particularly in how we treat others and pursue justice in our communities. Our songs, prayers, and offerings are only truly pleasing to God when they emanate from a life committed to righteousness, compassion, and obedience to His commands. It's a call to ensure that our faith is not just heard in our hymns but seen in our actions, ensuring that our outward expressions of worship are a sincere overflow of an inward transformation and a passionate pursuit of God's kingdom values.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my worship, whether personal or corporate, risk becoming mere "noise" in God's ears if it is disconnected from my daily life and ethical conduct?**
* **How can I ensure that my pursuit of justice and righteousness is an integral part of my worship, rather than a separate activity?**
* **What specific areas of my life need to be brought into greater alignment with God's commands so that my worship becomes more authentic and pleasing to Him?**

### FAQ

**Does God hate music or singing in worship?**

Answer: No, God does not hate music or singing. The Bible is replete with examples of music being used to praise God, express joy, lament, and teach (e.g., the Psalms, [Exodus 15:1-21](/exodus/15-1-21 "Exodus 15 - The Song of Moses"), [Colossians 3:16](/colossians/3-16 "Colossians 3:16 - Singing with Gratitude")). Amos 5:23 is not a condemnation of music itself, but rather a condemnation of the *hypocrisy* and *insincerity* of the worshipers. God rejects their music because their hearts were far from Him, and their lives were characterized by injustice and moral corruption, despite their outward religious observances. The "noise" refers to the emptiness and offense of worship offered from unrighteous hearts, not the sound of the music itself. God desires worship that flows from a pure heart and is accompanied by a life of obedience and justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 5:23, with its stark rejection of hypocritical worship, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clarification in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. While Amos condemned the external rituals of the Old Covenant that lacked inner righteousness, Jesus consistently emphasized the primacy of the heart and true spiritual worship. He taught that God seeks worshipers who worship "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), directly echoing the prophetic call for sincerity over mere form. Jesus Himself perfectly embodied the righteousness and justice that Israel failed to demonstrate, living a life of perfect obedience and advocating for the marginalized and oppressed. His sacrifice on the cross became the ultimate act of worship, a perfect offering that atoned for sin and made possible a new covenant where believers, through the Holy Spirit, can offer genuine worship, not based on external rituals but on an inward transformation and a life lived in accordance with God's will ([Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1-2 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifice")). Thus, the "noise" of empty religion is silenced by the authentic, Spirit-empowered worship offered through Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")), making our lives themselves a pleasing melody to God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 6:5

That chant to the sound of the viol, [and] invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;

Amos 8:10

And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only [son], and the end thereof as a bitter day.

Amos 8:3

And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: [there shall be] many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast [them] forth with silence.